Java Training Overview
This comprehensive course puts the experienced Java developer in good position to build sophisticated web applications using JavaServer Faces and the ICEfaces component library. A first module introduces the best-practice concepts of MVC architecture and command-object encapsulation that propel the JSF architecture. Students create JSF 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 generally get accustomed JSF programming practice.
The second module begins with backgrounders in both JSF custom component architecture and Ajax development, as these are essential to understanding both the purpose and the design of ICEfaces. Then, the bulk of this module consists in practical, hands-on exercise with ICEfaces. We focus on Ajax -- partial submits and responses, and Ajax Push -- and other cross-cutting features of the framework. Then we survey the component library, drilling down on a few of the most interesting components and getting a feel for the capabilities of the library as a whole. By the end of the course students are building applications with popup calendars, modal dialogs, tabbed panes, tables, and other cutting-edge UI features.
For those with prior JSF experience who would like to get acquainted with ICEfaces, see Course Introduction to ICEfaces, which includes only the second module of this course.
Java Training Learning Objectives
- Understand 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 the JSF custom tag libraries to build JSF views as JSPs.
- 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
- Integrate ICEfaces into JSF applications.
- Use partial submits and responses to implement auto-completes, form updates, and other Ajax features.
- Make judicious use of Ajax Push to implement asynchronous updates from the application to existing JSF views.
- Use popup calendars, menus, charts, and other UI components to enhance the look and feel of JSF views.
- Use tabbed panes, splitters, and other layout management tools.
- Use modal dialogs for a more seamless user experience.
Java Training Prerequisites
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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 here
- 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.
Java Training Course duration
4 days
Java Training Course outline
Module 1. JavaServer Faces
Chapter 1. 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
Chapter 2. Lifecycle and Page Navigation
- The JSF Request/Response Cycle
- Lifecycle Phases
- The FacesContext Class
- Who Does What
- View Selection
- Navigation Rules
- Outcomes
Chapter 3. 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
Chapter 4. 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
Chapter 5. 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
Chapter 6. Converters
- The Adapter Pattern
- The Converter Interface
- Standard Converters
- Working with Enumerated Types
- Timing of Conversion
- Custom Converters
- Configuring Converters
Chapter 7. Validators
- Validating Input
- The Validator Interface
- Standard Validators
- Producing Error Messages
- Message Keys
- Presenting Error Messages
- Custom Validators
- Validating Multiple Inputs
- Using a PhaseListener
Module 2. ICEfaces
Chapter 1. Custom Components
- UI Component Libraries
- Using a Custom Component Library
- The Components of a Component
- Delivering JavaScript
- Blending Client- and Server-Side Logic
Chapter 2. Ajax Applications
- What is Ajax?
- Request Formats
- Asynchronous Response Handling
- Alternatives: XMLHttpRequest
- Alternatives: Direct Web Remoting
- JSF for Ajax
- ICEfaces
Chapter 3. ICEfaces Architecture
- The ICEfaces Value Proposition
- Acquiring and Configuring ICEfaces
- PersistentFacesServlet and BlockingServlet
- JSP, JSP Documents, and Facelets
- Ajax via "Parital Submit"
- Ajax Push: RenderManager vs. SessionRenderer
- Drag and Drop
- Security Features
Chapter 4. ICEfaces Components
- Extended Components
- Custom Components
- Layout Managers
- Component Stylesheets
- <ice:dataTable>
- <ice:selectDateInput>
- <ice:panelTooltip>
- <ice:panelPopup>
- <ice:panelTabSet>
- <ice:outputChart>
- Visual Effects
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
Hardware/Software Requirements
Hardware – minimal
1.5 GHz, 1 gig RAM, 2 gig disk space
Hardware – recommended
2.5 GHz, 2 gig RAM, 2 gig disk space.
Operating system
Tested on Windows XP Professional. Course software should be viable on all systems which support a Java 6 Developer's Kit.
Network and Security
Limited privileges required
Software
All free downloadable tools.
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