Backbase Client Framework 4.1Struts ConnectorStart Guide

Backbase is the leading provider of enterprise software for creating AJAX-based Rich Internet Applications (RIAs). Mediumto large enterprises and independent software vendors use Backbase to enhance the usability of their web applications,migrate fat client applications to the Web, deliver next generation online self-service applications, and create enterprisemash-ups.

The company’s award-winning software powers business-critical RIAs for many of the world’s leading companies. Backbasedelivers the reliability and robustness of commercial software products with guaranteed ongoing product innovation andmaintenance, and global technical support services. Backbase Enterprise AJAX software supplies everything needed forsuccessful development and deployment of AJAX-based RIAs.

Founded in 2003, Backbase is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and San Mateo, California, with internationaloffices in Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

Additional information is available at http://www.backbase.com

Backbase offers Backbase Server Connectors to connect the AJAX Client Runtime with popular server-side presentationframeworks such as JSP or Facelets and Struts. The Struts Connector is a Connector that integrates the AJAX ClientRuntime with the Struts application framework. It is an add-on module to the Backbase Client Framework.

The Struts Connector is targeted at Java developers who want to ajaxify existing Struts applications. With StrutsConnector, interface developers can quickly add individual AJAX client widgets and commands to make the web interfacemore compelling. They can also re-design larger parts of the interface to reduce full page reloads and make the interfacemore responsive to user interaction.

The Struts Connector provides a comprehensive AJAX development framework to ajaxify Struts interfaces. It combinesthe richness of AJAX on the client with the maturity of Struts on the server. Backbase takes care of all the AJAX plumbingwork and makes AJAX development fast and easy for Struts developers. By allowing companies to leverage existing Strutscode and skills, the Struts Connector extends the lifetime of a Struts based web application.

This Start Guide is your entry point to the Struts Connector package. For installation instructions, please consult theInstallation Guide. A list of Backbase Struts Connector documents and technical information about the Backbase StrutsConnector can be found in this document.

After installation, you can learn how to develop RAD applications with the Backbase Struts Connector either by deployingand examining the starter kits or by reading the Developer Guide.

The following table describes the documents for the Struts Connector:

About Backbase

About the Struts Connector

About This Start Guide

Backbase Struts Connector Document Suite

Introduction

Backbase Struts Connector 2

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Document Title Description Intended Audience

Installation Guide Helps application developers todownload and install the StrutsConnector in a developmentenvironment and it helps serveradministrators to download anddeploy the Struts Connector in aproduction environment

Application Developers and SystemAdministrators

Developer Guide Helps developers getting startedwith programming Struts Connectorenabled Struts applications. Itincludes detailed explanations fromthe starter kits with sample sourcecode and a reference for theBackbase tag libraries.

Application Developers

Release Notes List of new features, change log,and known issues

technical decision makers,application developers

Please be advised to also look at the Backbase Client Framework documentation located in the correspondingseparate package.

• Eclipse IDE - The Eclipse IDE is an open source Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Using Eclipse IDE incombination with the Eclipse Web Tools Platform, you have access to tools for automated product installation, applicationcreation, and code completion.

Rather than install the Eclipse IDE and WTP separately, we recommend that you download the integratedEclipse/Web Tools Platform All-In-One Package.

• Firefox Developer Toolbar - Adds a menu and a toolbar with various web developer tools to the Firefox browser.

• Firebug - Gives you the ability to edit, debug, and monitor CSS, XHTML, and JavaScript live in any web page in theFirefox browser.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer Developer Toolbar - Provides a variety of tools for quickly creating, understanding, andtroubleshooting Web pages in the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.

• Fiddler - Fiddler is a HTTP Debugging Proxy for Microsoft Internet Explorer which logs all HTTP traffic between yourcomputer and the Internet.

Here are a few Struts books that we use in the office:

• Programming Jakarta Struts - Chuck Cavaness

• Jakarta Struts Cookbook - Bill Siggelkow

• Starting with Struts2 - Ian Roughley

Developer Resources

Library

Online Resources

Backbase Struts Connector 3

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http://www.backbase.com Our homepage

http://bdn.backbase.com The homepage of all product information, includingdocumentation and examples

http://bdn.backbase.com/forum The URL of the (free) Backbase forum

To deploy a Struts application, you will need a suitable application container. You can find a list of the Backbase verifiedapplication containers in the Verified Application Servers [p. 4] section of this document.

Furthermore, in order to run an application, you should install the Java 2 (version 1.4.2 or later) Java Developer Kit (JDK)implementation for your operating system platform.

You can use the Struts 1.2.9, 1.3.5 or 2.0 versions for your Backbase enabled Struts application.

Struts version 2 requires configuration that is slightly different from Struts version 1. See the section ConfigureStruts 2 Applications in the Installation Guide.

You can deploy the Struts Connector in any Java EE web container that is compatible with the Servlet API Specification(version 2.2 or later) and the JavaServer Pages (JSP) Specification (version 1.1 or later). The following web containers areverified by Backbase:

• Tomcat 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0

• Websphere 5.1.1 and 6.0.2

• WebLogic 8.1, 9.1, 9.2 and 10

• JBoss 4.0.3 SP-1, 4.0.4 and 4.0.5

• Oracle 10g 10.1.3

• Sun One 8.2

Consult the Backbase Client Framework documentation for a list of verified browsers.

Application Requirements

Verified Application Servers

Verified Browsers

Backbase Struts Connector 4

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The Installation Guide will show you how to install the Struts Connector, both in a development and in a productionenvironment.

The Struts Connector requires a license file. Please see the Installation Guide for information on how to installthe license file.

Installation of the Struts Connector

Licensing

Installation

Backbase Struts Connector 5

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The Backbase Developer Network http://bdn.backbase.com brings many developer resources such as the latest releases,errata, updates, news and our free forum to your fingertips. Architects and evaluators will also benefit from the insights andarticles posted by Backbase and by the community.

Commercial Support is available in a few flavors, see our web site (http://www.backbase.com/support ) for all the details.

The Training courses are designed for a whole range of developers, from AJAX beginners all the way to enterprisedevelopers. Courses are available online, on site, and in classroom settings. Our online classes are live with real timeinstructors. Training attendees are encouraged to communicate in real time with the instructor. All of our instructors areAJAX experts with extensive teaching and hands on Backbase development experience. See our web site(http://www.backbase.com/training ) for an overview of our available courses.

For all sales related questions and inquiries, http://www.backbase.com/contact always contains up to date informationon our global sales offices for purchasing and extending contracts and training.

You can also email questions to our general email address: contact@backbase.com .

North America

635 Mariners Island Blvd, Ste 200San Mateo, CA 94404USA

P: +1 866 800 8996F: +1 650 638 0335E: sales-us@backbase.com

Europe EMEA

Stephensonstraat 191097 BA AmsterdamThe Netherlands

P: +31 (0) 20 465 8888F: +31 (0) 20 750 7301E: sales-eu@backbase.com

Community

Support

Training

Sales

Contact Backbase

Backbase Struts Connector 6

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