Back to Search Results

Training Course Summary:

This hands on course provides participants with the information and experience necessary to develop and deploy large, robust and complex Java web applications utilizing the Struts framework. The J2EE platform makes it possible to develop web front ends with Servlets and JSP Pages which deliver dynamically built HTML pages back to the clients. The focus of this course is on building such web-enabled applications based on the Struts open source framework, which helps developers to create an extensible development environment for a web application that is based on published standards and proven design patterns. The course begins with thorough coverage of how to use Servlets, Java Server Pages and Tag Libraries to exploit the services the J2EE platform provides, then progresses into the use of the Struts framework. Students who already possess a thorough knowledge of the use and deployment of servlets, JSP, and JDBC should take the two-day course Jakarta Struts Framework rather than this course.

Using the Struts framework the participant will learn to build advanced Java web applications using Servlets, JSP Pages, Taglibs and JavaBeans. The well known Jakarta project from Apache has provided other tools like Tomcat (The most popular Servlet Container used). Jakarta provides a flexible control layer to your applications in the form of the Struts framework. The control layer is a group of Java components that controls the flow of an application. This control layer is based on standardized technologies including Servlets, JSP Pages, JavaBeans and XML. The Module View Controller (MVC) pattern, a recommended architectural design pattern for interactive applications, is also covered in this course as it provides a basis for the Struts framework. JSP tag libraries are also covered in depth in this course; students are shown how to utilize a library of tags that make it easier to develop Java web applications. Participants will also learn how to incorporate important J2EE component services and protocols including JNDI, JDBC, RMI and JMS into their web applications. Students will learn how to utilize ANT, a flexible and powerful XML based Java build utility developed by the Apache foundation, to compile, deploy and execute stand-alone and enterprise Java applications. Comprehensive hands-on lab exercises reinforce instructor lectures and build direct competence in the topics presented throughout the course.

Pre-Requisites:

Java programming experience and an understanding of object-oriented design principles equivalent to attendance at HOTT's Java Programming course. Fundamental knowledge of HTML is helpful but not required.

Training Course Overview/Content:

Enterprise Application Architecture
Understanding the Need for Client/Server Applications
Understanding Web Application Architecture
Developing Multi-Tier Applications
Understanding the Advantages of a Multi-Tier Architecture
Overview of Server-Side Application Development using J2EE
Introduction to J2EE Web Applications
Understanding the Role of J2EE Containers and Services in Web Applications
Using Web-Based Components in Application Design
Structure of J2EE Web Components
Deploying Web Applications
J2EE Web Container Services
Web Component Lifecycles
Communication Between Web Containers and Web Application Servers

Introduction to Struts
Motivation for Struts
Understanding the Architecture of Struts
Organizing Struts Applications
Understanding the Model 1 Solution
Introduction to the Model View Controller Design Pattern
Understanding Design Patterns
Obtaining an Architectural Overview of the MVC Pattern
Understanding How Other Java Components Fit into the MVC Pattern

Developing Struts Applications
Editing the Web.xml File
Connecting to the Controller from HTML
Understanding the ActionServlet Class
Configuring the struts-config.xml file
Developing the Controller in Struts
Working with ActionClass
Working with ActionForm
Working with ActionMapping
Developing System Logic and System State Beans
Obtaining DataSources

Validation and Form Handling
Validating Users with the ActionForm
Developing with the Struts Validator
Handling Exceptions while Validating
Developing Global Exceptions
Understanding ActionErrors
Developing the Struts View
Using the ActionForward Class
Using JSP Pages for the View
Using ActionMapping in the View
Using Struts Tags
Using JSTL (Java Standard Tag Library)
Using JSF (Jakarta Struts Framework)
Laying Out Web Pages with Tiles

Introduction to Servlets
Servlet Architecture
The Role of Servlets in Web Application Design
Servlet Runtime Environment
Advantages of Using Servlets
Servlet Lifecycle
Deploying Servlets to a Web Application Server
Developing Servlets
Processing GET and POST Requests from Web Clients
Retrieving Parameters from HTML Client Forms
Generating Dynamic HTML Responses
Initializing Servlets
Destroying and Freeing Resources in Servlets
Controlling Single and Multi-Threading in a Servlet

Introduction to JSP Pages
Using JSP Page Directives
Inserting JSP Declarations
Displaying JSP Expressions
Inserting JSP Tags
Understanding JSP to Servlet Translation
Developing JSP Pages
Writing Tag Handlers
Analyzing Tag Library Descriptor Files
Creating Tag Library Descriptor Tags
Using Tag Handler Methods to Generate Dynamic Web Content
Handling Tag Attributes and Attribute Validation
Using Body Tags
Working with the TagExtraInfo Class

Web Session Management
Maintaining Sessions via URL Rewriting
Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of using Cookies
Using Hidden Form Fields to Track Session IDs
Using the HttpSession Interface to Store Session Information
Transferring Client Information to Other Servlets and JSP Pages via Request Dispatching
Use of JavaBeans in Web Applications
JavaBean Architecture
Creating JavaBeans
Using JavaBeans in JSP Pages
Differences between JavaBeans and Enterprise Java Beans

Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI)
Purpose of JNDI
Role of JNDI Service Providers
Importing and Utilizing Default JNDI Packages
Working with Interfaces Provided by JNDI Service Providers
Binding Objects with the JNDI Service
Remote Method Invocation (RMI)
Purpose and Architecture of RMI
Using and Developing RMI Classes and Interfaces
Developing RMI Servers and Clients
Accessing RMI Servers with RMI Clients
Passing Primitive and Serializable Parameters between RMI Clients and Servers

Using ANT
Executing ANT Targets
Understanding ANT Tasks
Using ANT Properties
Configuring ANT
Compiling Java Applications
Executing Java Applications
Depl