Technology concepts

In order to work through the scenario application, you need to be familiar with a number of technology concepts, especially if you are new to Web application development. The following is a brief list of some of the things you will encounter when you work through the application.

Enterprise Archive file (EAR)

An EAR file is a standard Java Archive (JAR) file with an .ear extension. They can contain multiple Web project, and you use them to package and deploy your Web applications to the WebSphere Administrative Server (WAS). Note: In the GUI version of the J2EE SDK application deployment tool, you create an EAR file first and add JAR and Web Archive (WAR) files to the EAR file. If you use the command line packager tools, however, you create the JAR and WAR files first and then create the EAR file.

IBM WebFacing Tool

The IBM WebFacing Tool converts existing 5250 interfaces to browser-based graphical user interfaces. With little or no modification to your original iSeries applications, you can extend the use of your programs to the Internet or an intranet.

Java Archive file (JAR)

A JAR file is a compressed package of Java files, similar to a .zip file. It contains the class, image, and sound files for a Java applet gathered into a single file and compressed for faster downloading to your browser.

Java Server Pages (JSP)

JSPs provide the ability to display dynamic content in static HTML pages. Written in Java, JSPs are server and platform-independent. By effectively separating the Web presentation from the Web content, JSPs can help developers who need to quickly change the design and display of their Web pages.

Program Call bean

These are the Java beans generated by the Program Call wizard. One type is a regular Java bean used by Java applications. The other type can be used by the Web service wizard to create a Web service.

Program Call wizard

The Program Call wizard helps you create the Java beans and associated PCML file needed to invoke an iSeries program or procedure. The wizard prompts you for information regarding program or service program objects, along with the parameters for the objects, and then creates the desired Java beans (and PCML file).

Report Program Generator (RPG)

A procedural programming language used by iSeries programmers. You can use RPG to create business applications such as invoicing programs and order entry programs. The latest version, ILE RPG IV, expands the capabilities of the RPG language, while supporting programmers' experience with previous versions.

Servlet

Server-side programs, written in Java, that run in Java-enabled servers or application servers such as IBM WebSphere Application Servers. Servlets perform tasks specified by the server, such as responding to requests by generating an HTML response. For example, you can use servlets in an online banking application to respond to the user while sending data to the server.

Web Components

You can use Web Components to define iSeries objects such as data entry fields and push buttons, which can exchange information between iSeries server programs and the Web page. Developers can use Web Components to capture user events such as syntax checking of entry fields and button clicking.

Web Interaction wizard

This wizard is part of iSeries Web development tools. It creates and manages the interactions between ILE programs and Web pages. The wizard controls where input, output, and error messages display, and directs the data from the input and output fields to the ILE programs. You can also use the Web Interaction wizard to map error messages to the area where the error occurred so that the the user can identify the source of the error easily.

Web services

Web services are self-contained applications designed and implemented for use over the Internet. They are created with open standards such as SOAP, WSDL, and XML. There are numerous business situations with which you can use a Web service, including an inventory management system where clients can check their inventory levels through the Internet, or if you want to track a product order directly from a supplier.

Web services definition language (WSDL)

WSDL is an XML-based language that defines the interface of a Web service. WSDL understands a Web service, and manages the flow of information between the Web service and the server program. For example, a developer would use WSDL to create an interface for a Web site that shows updated stock quotes.

WebSphere Studio Workbench

IBM WebSphere Development Studio Client for iSeries is built on WebSphere Studio Workbench, IBM's implementation of the Eclipse platform. The extensible, universal workbench integrates all of the tools necessary to build and maintain applications. Developers can use Development Studio Client to incorporate new objects into the development environment through the use of plug-ins, and seamlessly add Java files, graphics, video, and so on.


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