| Course Code: |
IN 1063 |
| Course Abstract: |
This course adds a two day-module on advanced techniques focused on custom component libraries, JavaScript, and Ajax. Proceeding from a foundation of Java, Servlets, and JSP, the course develops the best-practice concepts of MVC architecture and command-object encapsulation that propel the JSF architecture. Participants create JSF Web applications by organizing their pages as JSF component trees, and their server-side code as JSF managed beans and controllers. They add data-conversion and validation logic and learn to work with JSF's data-table control.
Then, we change our perspective a bit and start thinking in terms of reusable component libraries -- using them and also developing them. Custom components prove to be the ideal delivery vehicle for JavaScript in JSF applications, and ultimately serve as the backbone of a robust Java/Ajax architecture. We work with two popular component libraries along the way -- Tomahawk and RichFaces -- and also get a look at Direct Web Remoting, or DWR.
A bridge module is also available that illustrates how JSF can work with EJBs and Java Persistence API entities; this brief presentation makes for a nice side trip during class time, for participant groups who know they'll be working with JPA or EJB.
IDE Support: Eclipse WTP 2.0
In addition to the primary lab files, an optional overlay is available that adds support for Eclipse WTP 2.0. Participants can code, build, deploy, and test all exercises from within Eclipse, and take advantage of WTP's built-in editors, integrated debugging, and wizards for web applications, XML files, JSPs, and more. Please be advised that this is an optional feature; it is not a separate version of the course, and the course itself does not contain explicit Eclipse-specific lab instructions.
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| Audience: |
This course is designed for individuals who are experienced Java application developers. |
| Duration: |
5 days |
| Learning Outcomes: |
Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:
> Know the purpose and scope of the JSF architecture
> Build Web applications using JSF's FacesServlet, faces-config.xml, and the JSF request/response lifecycle
> Use managed beans to encapsulate not only server-side form handling but also client-side presentation logic
> Implement control logic as JSF event listeners or action methods.
> Use validators and converters to implement a validation phase for a JSF application
> Use custom component libraries.
> Develop custom components for a variety of purposes, including composite components.
> Use custom components to encapsulate and deliver JavaScript content.
> Develop Ajax applications using JSF and DWR.
> Develop Ajax applications using RichFaces. |
| Course Topics: |
Module 1 JavaServer Faces
Overview
Java EE and Web Applications
Perspectives: Servlets and JSP
The Model/View/Controller Pattern
Perspectives: MVC Frameworks
The Command Pattern
Perspectives: AWT and JFC
JSF Value Proposition
JSF Configuration
Lifecycle and Page Navigation
The JSF Request/Response Cycle
Lifecycle Phases
The FacesContext Class
Who Does What
View Selection
Navigation Rules
Outcomes
User Interface Components
The Composite View Pattern
The UIComponent Class
Behavioral Interfaces
The Core and HTML Tag Libraries
Relationship to CSS
ID, Client ID, and Label
The UISelectItem(s) Class
Navigating the UI Tree
Managed Beans
JavaBeans and JSF
Backing Beans
The Factory Pattern
Managed Beans
Coarse-Grained Beans
The Unified Expression Language
Value Expressions
Dependency Injection
Bean Scopes
Events and Controllers
The Observer Pattern
JSF Event Model
Event Types and Timing
Event Queueing
ActionEvent and ActionListener
Action Methods
Connecting Controllers to Beans
Dynamic Outcomes
ValueChangeEvent and ValueChangeListener
Limitations of FacesListeners
Converters
The Adapter Pattern
The Converter Interface
Standard Converters
Working with Enumerated Types
Timing of Conversion
Custom Converters
Configuring Converters
Validators
Validating Input
The Validator Interface
Standard Validators
Producing Error Messages
Message Keys
Presenting Error Messages
Custom Validators
Validating Multiple Inputs
Using a PhaseListener
Data Tables
Managing Tabular Data
The JSF Data Table
Columns
Facets
Limitations and Strategies
Nesting Tables
Module 2 Custom Components
Using Custom Components
Component Libraries
Deployment Model
Apache Tomahawk
Developing Custom Components
The Components of a Component
Custom Tags and CSS vs. Custom Components
The UIComponent Class
The Renderer Class
Encoding and Decoding
The UIComponentELTag Class
Using the Default Renderer
State-Saving Concerns
Composites
Composite Components
JSF Composite vs. HTML Composite
Composite vs. Shell
Creating, Configuring, and Assembling
Delivering JavaScript
Client-Side Scripting
HTML Events and the HTML DOM
Encoding Scripts
JSF and Script Libraries
Encoding Scripts Once
Encoding Scripts Uniquely
Ajax Applications
What is Ajax?
Request Formats
Means of Triggering HTTP Requests
Asynchronous Response Handling
Direct Web Remoting
Server-Side Strategies
Invoking Managed Beans
Ajax Components
Server-Side Strategies: Another Look
Model/View/Controller for Ajax
JSF Lifecycle and Partial Page Rendering
RichFaces
Triggering Ajax Requests
Re-Rendering
Input Validation
Customizing Custom Components
Appendix A. Learning Resources
Appendix B. JSF Quick Reference
JSF Custom Tags
Packages and Classes
JSF API: Finding Things
JSF API: Controllers, Converters, and Validators
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| Prerequisites: |
General note: This course is intended primarily for experienced Java application developers. Page authors, component developers, and others who may have little or no Java experience (but perhaps are stronger on HTML and JSP) may well find this to be a valuable training experience, though without solid Java skills many of the coding exercises will be difficult to follow.
Java programming experience is essential to understanding the JSF API as presented.
JSP page-authoring experience is required.
Servlets programming experience is recommended but not required.
Basic knowledge of XML will be helpful, as will any previous experience with HTML. |