Build a Rich Internet Application on WebSphere Portal Using WebSphere Portlet Factory, Part 1: The Catalog (The Sphere Journal, November 2008)

Abhishek Singh, senior IT specialist, Software Services for Lotus, IBM
Usman Memon, technical sales leader, Lotus Workforce Management, IBM

November 2008

Learn how to rapidly prototype and build a portal-based rich Internet application (RIA) with the Web 2.0 builders provided in IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory V6.1.

Key Concept

Rich Internet applications (RIAs) are Web applications that run in a browser client, but which offer users the experience of traditional desktop applications. RIAs provide users with functions such as drag and drop, in-line editing, and dynamic validation, which were previously available only in desktop or Rich Client Platform (RCP) applications. IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory introduced RIA features in V6.0 and rapidly expanded its RIA capabilities in V6.1.

Developing a rich Internet application (RIA) requires programming knowledge that typically extends beyond the skill set of any one developer. IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory brings RIA development within the reach of developers who have little experience in RIA technologies by providing Web 2.0 builder components that generate the necessary code. This two-part article shows how to build a powerful RIA that enables Web users to shop on-line. Part 1 covers building the services layer and the on-line catalog. Part 2 covers the development of the shopping cart.

Build the demonstration application by following the detailed steps we provide, or simply download the complete Portlet Factory project to study its construction as we walk you through the development steps.

For a fundamental understanding of RIAs hosted on the WebSphere infrastructure (Application Server and Portal) and how WebSphere Portlet Factory operates under the covers, we recommend reading our previous article, “Get started building rich Internet applications (RIAs) with WebSphere Portlet Factory” (The Sphere Journal, November/December 2008).

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