Distributing Web Application

Are you one of those developer who develops web based applications using servlets or JSP? Web based applications has a full list of advantages, allowing users to access from anywhere, no need to install a client, any browsers which the users prefers can be a client, etc, well the lists goes on and on... So you have written web applications before, how did you distribute your web applications? Is a WAR or EAR package? Well that is one way, distributing WAR or EAR does makes it easier for other people to deploy your web applications, however is that a easier way for others to use your web application without the need for them to install a web application server such as JRun, Websphere or Weblogic?

I am going to share one way which you may use to distribute your web applications with out the end user installing a web container. For those supporter of open source solutions, you will find Apache Tomcat very familiar. One of the distribution you can download is "Embedded". The embedded distribution will enable you to write a main class launching Tomcat and loading your web application, your application can still be in a form of WAR package loaded in the same manner as in a normal Tomcat installation. In this manner, the end user will not need to install another web container. Package everything together with your application distribution, and you have a easy way of distributing your web application.

Reuse, don't reinvent the wheel

There are plenty of enthusiastic developers out there just like you, chances are that there are a lot of available materials and codes samples which contains what you might want to do. Before you start getting busy doing all the application coding, spend some time do some research on the things you want to achieve on the web. Do a google search and see what comes out.

The application you are going to start developing will definitely consist of helper utilities and classes. Instead of starting coding you own helper utilities, why not take a look at the apache foundation projects. A book I find relevant in giving you a sense of what is already available for reuse such as Apache Jakarta Commons: Reusable Java(TM) Components (Bruce Perens' Open Source Series) will come in handy in your development adventure. Also visit the apache jakarta site at www.apache.org to find our more of what are available for reuse.

The time you may by reusing ready utilities will allow you to focus more on building your application logic. Readily available helper utilities are often frequently updated and tested by a faithful following of developers, especially projects in apache foundation, ensuring of having high quality utilities that you can use.

Developing java application with IDE

When it comes to writing java codes, IDE has become a necessity. While text editors may be sufficient for managing several files, it only gets more difficult as the project size grows.

It is definitely worth the time to investigate a java IDE that you can use to improve your coding efficiency. I am going to share a few IDE that I find to be very useful for developing java applications. If you are not using IDE, its now time for you to start using one.

Just do a simple search in Google, type in "Java IDE", the first few results are worth investigating. You will find among the results, JCreator, IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse and Netbean. You should try out each of the IDE if you have the some time.

I had used IntellJ IDEA and found it to be very developer oriented. However its a commercial IDE, which means that please ensure that if you like it, purchase a license to support it. I am currently using Netbean as it has a wonderful GUI to create Swing applications. If you are developing Swing apps, do give it a try.

On using any IDE, don't just start coding with out exploring its features and shortcuts. Spend some time looking at the tutorial and the help page. I assure you that the time spent is well worth it as it will greatly improve your efficiency on using the IDE.

Once you have found the IDE which you find comfortable, you will begin to enjoy developing more. Have fun with your IDE.

New Blog on Java Ideas

Its the first time I am attempting to place some of my thoughts on ideas that I personally find useful for Java developers online.

Well, i would encourage Java developers who may have interesting ideas on Java to also share with everyone on their creative ideas of working with Java.

Since my first encounter with Java, I had been using Java as my main language of choice for development due to the portability across various systems. I am personally interested in both Linux and Windows system, thus find Java to be very useful. Over the years, I had found ways of enhancing my experience with Java with some simple stuff which i will be sharing over time.

So do drop by from time to time, as I will try to put up ideas I have.