Web development is complex and difficult. As a Web, Java, and Web RAD tool architect, I witness this daily as I work with companies moving from RPG to the Web. Feedback sessions at COMMON and other events constantly echo this reality. If you are involved in Web development, you know exactly what I mean. I spend a lot of my time trying to make Web development easier for the RPG masses. I recently came across a tool that captured my attention and actually makes Web development easier. In this tip, I'll share my experience, perspective and advice for where you may want to use this tool.
The problem(s)
As WebSphere/Web developers, we create applications that typically display and manipulate data. We use tools such as Eclipse and WebSphere Studio to create JSPs, EAR files, and WAR files and then deploy them into an application server such as WebSphere Application Server. The problem is that these tools are very complex, requiring months of experience and large development machines to utilize. For small to medium development jobs as well as "semi-static" sites, it would be nice to have a lighter, easier-to-use tool.
|
|
 |
A possible solution
A potential solution is a tool called HardCore Web Editor from a U.K. company. The company's name is HardCore, which scared me a bit, but you'll quickly realize it's not the hardcore we've been too often exposed to on the Internet these days. This product allows you to edit HTML and JSP files directly from a Web page, using WYSIWYG technology. It's kind of like using Microsoft Word in a Web browser. No need to access heavy client-based tools. The tool is written in mostly JavaScript and impressed me with its design and capabilities. Its design allows you to integrate it into your Web site, giving regular users the ability to edit documents.
What is it good for?
You could use Hardcore Web Editor for the following purposes:
- Allow users to post events and information directly on Web pages.
- Allow users to post "static" reports to share with other users. These reports could be updated daily or as needed.
- Allow any other type of information "posting" application.
- Integration into more complex Web sites, allowing users to update static portions of dynamic Web sites. For example, a user could update the header, footer and report instructions of a Web application using HTML editing. At runtime, the Web application would generate the report from a database and merge the database report with the user's static header, footer and instructions.
- The most complex scenario would allow users to directly edit JSP files from a Web page. That would allow dynamic Web site development using nothing more than Internet Explorer.
How does it work?
After reading the product overview, I tried the product out from Hardcore's Web site. Take a look at it here. After reading the overview, click the "Try It Now" button. From this Web site, you'll be able to try out the product.
The buttons on this page are your WYSIWYG editor. They are similar to Micorosft Word or other HTML editors. The content below the buttons is the editable Web content.
Go ahead and play around with the editor, and when you're finished, click the save and submit button. The help is also ironically helpful :^). The content being edited could be an HTML or JSP file as we previously discussed. You could also secure these editable pages behind a Web server password if you need security.
I purchased the product and installed it on my site. It was only about $45, so I figured it wasn't a big deal if the product wasn't all I wanted. The installation was easy. I simply unzipped the downloadable file and placed the unzipped folders into the root of my Web server. Then it was up and running -- nice and simple. The documentation was adequate, and there are many examples in the folders as well. Next I tried to install the product in my version of WebSphere Studio. It required changing some configuration settings, but I was able to do that as well.
Summary
If your users or "power" users need to be able to "manage" a portion of your Web site's content, take a look at what this product can do. It won't replace the need for WebSphere Studio for most folks, but it may be able to play a role in your overall site. And heck, what's $45. You can spend more than that on drinks at COMMON or wherever your local "water cooler" is.
---------------------------
About the author: Paul Holm is a former IBM-Rochester WebSphere, Java, and DB2 developer/consultant. He specializes in helping iSeries RPG shops develop Web-based applications. Paul can be reached at pholm@planetjavainc.com.
