Module Creation Tutorial
Config Files � several config files need to be altered to create the new
module
***struts.xml****
The struts.xml located at WEB-INF/config/struts.xml, is the main
configuration file for the Struts Framework.
See:
http://jakarta.apache.org/struts/userGuide/building_controller.html#config
The basicportal application uses the name struts.xml instead of
the struts-config.xml outlined in the user guide. Several
changes need to be made to the document that comes with
basicportal install these changes will be outlined.
- Naming conventions to keep in place during alteration of file
-action path are in reverse camelback notation
action path="/port/projTasksModule"
-forward paths are in camelback notation also
path="projTasksZoom.portlet"
-form bean names are in camelback notation
name="storeBean"
Additions to file for a new Module
We will use the entries for the projTask Module as templates
for our new entries for the new module. (See struts.xml)
A new formbean must be added to the struts.xml for
each module in the below example the bean's source
file is org.apache.store.StoreBean and the name is
"storeBean"
<form-beans>
<form-bean name="storeBean"
type="org.apache.store.StoreBean"/>
</form-beans>
New actionpaths need to be created for the module
<action
path="/store/store"
type="org.apache.commons.dispatch.StrutsSimpleAct"
name="storeBean"
scope="session"
validate="false">
<forward name="Success" path="store.module"/>
</action>
<action
path="/store/storeModule"
type="org.apache.store.StoreModule"
name="storeBean"
scope="session"
validate="false">
<forward name="Zoom" path="storeZoom.portlet"/>
<forward name="Success" path="storeLst.portlet"/>
</action>
****layouts.xml****
layouts.xml located at WEB-INF/config/layouts.xml is the
central place for our tiles definitions. For a tutorial on tiles
see: www.lifl.fr/~dumoulin/tiles/
naming conventions � it is important to match up the names
from struts.xml with the layouts.xml where they are related.
be carefull to spell names exactly the same
**Additions for new module**
New definitions need to be created: For the example store
module they are
<!�storeLst ?
<definition name="store.module" path="/do/store/storeModule"/>
<definition name="storeLst.portlet" extends="baseDef">
<put name="body" value="/portlets/store/StoreLstPortlet.jsp"/>
</definition>
<definition name="storeZoom.portlet" extends="baseDef">
<put name="body" value="/portlets/store/StoreZoomPortlet.jsp"/>
</definition>
The first definition above is the "default" definition for the
Module, if you look into the struts.xml file you will see that
the definition links to the org.apache.store.StoreModule file
we will create. (This is the controller in our MVC
architecture) Also notice in the stuts.xml file that there are
two forwards associated with this default controller. The
second two definitions above are created to match these
forwards. Also notice that The put tags within the definitions
override the values in the baseDef.
Java Source Files
3 Types
**Modules**
are the controller portion of the MVC architecture
The "Module" java class files ie.
org.apache.store.StoreModule are the link between the view
and the model component
--methods in the source file--
-onDisplayExec
controls the LST process
-onDisplayZoom
controls the Zoom process
-onSaveExec
saves changes to the model
-onNewExec
new record creation
We will use the TasksModule.java as the template for
creating our new StoreModule file it is suggested you edit
the TasksModule:
-replace all references to TaskBean with
reference to (StoreBean) the name of your
modules Bean file.
-change name of class to (StoreModule) the
name of your module.
-change package name
ie. package org.apache.store;
At this point in our study we are concentrating on USING the
framework provided by basicportal to get our new module
functioning. Don't get bogged down in the specifics of the
logic in this module. (Drive� you can look under the hood
later!)
**Beans**
part of the struts architecture� not quite the model but
the Beans act as the transfer agent from the view to the Model.
We will use the TasksBean.java file as the template for our
new (StoreBean) file.
- Change name of class and package to appropriate values
for your class.
Methods:
find(): change references to TaskDAO to (StoreDAO)
your DAO class
findAll(): change references to TaskDAO to
(StoreDAO) your DAO class
getter and setter methods:
public void setTaskName(String arg)
{
getDAO().setProperty("task_name",arg);
}
public String getTaskName()
{
return(String)getDAO().getProperty("task_name");
}
Add one set of getter and setter methods for each
field in your table. Follow naming format of lowercase
for column name and camelback notation for method
name.
test(): implement test method to call getters and
output values
**DAO**
these files encapsulate the CRUD processes and enable
simple interaction with the database
We will use the TasksDAO.java file as a template for our
new DAO file (StoreDAO).
Methods:
retrieveAll and
retrieve():
change the setTableName method call
parameter to the name of your table:
getCR().setTableName("proj_task");
also change the sql string variable to
match
your table:
String sql = "select * from
\"proj_task\"";
***JSP Files***
LST � List mode of our Module
This file is the vies for the list mode of our Module
it's
function is to list the records needing to be display
in a table
and provide links so that the Zoom method may be
called to
edit individual records. Page also has a link to
create a new
record
We will use the TaskLstPortlet.jsp file as a template.
This
page uses the JSTL tag libraries. For info on the
JSTL tags
see the .pdf file on the basicportal site at
sourceforge.
? -There are several calls to create urls on the page
replace
value="/do/port/tasks"
with a corresponding
value="/do/store/store (for store module
customize this for your
module)
-assuming your primary key column in your table is id
leave the
following code intact:
<c:param name="ID"
value="${requestScope.formBean.id}"/>
(adjust for your primary key column if needed)
-output column values using:
<c:out value="${requestScope.formBean.name}"/
(replace field name with appropriate value for
your bean)
Zoom � Zoom mode of the module
This file is the View for the Zoom mode of the Module it's
purpose is to provide fields for insertion and update of
records. We will use the TaskZoomPortlet.jsp file as the
template.
-replace action URL for form with appropriate value for
your module ie
action="/store/store
-Provide input fields with html:text tag for each field in
your table:
For example:
Item Name * : </td><td>
<html:text size="70" property="name"/>
</td></tr>
<tr><td>
Congratulations!!!! You should be
ready to test your Module!!!!
Summary Steps in Producing a new Module
1 Create SQL and table
2 Customize XML files
3 Create Bean File � code test method in Bean class and test
4 Create DAO Files
5 Create Module Files � (important) it is suggested that you
implement the onDisplayExec method in your module with
a call to system.out.println("I got here") to make sure your
module code is being called
6 Create JSP files
7 Test LST file � (ie. browse to /do/store/store)
8 Test Zoom File � (ie. browse to /do/store/store and click on edit buttons)
9 Add Module to Navigation Menus (edit common/leftBar.jsp)
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