How to use rational application developer to transform existing static Web sites into Dynamic Web stations

How to use rational application developer to transform an existing static web site into a dynamic web site

This article will help readers of the technical background understand how to use ibm®rational®application Developer to transform an existing static web site into a dynamic web site. Users will add a mail servlet, java™2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (j2ee™) security, and take advantage of the Web site Design Tool's page template to create a consistent look for the entire Web site.

Unlike static Web sites, dynamic Web sites allow web site owners to simplify updates and add new content to the site. For example, news and events can be posted through simple browser programs. The dynamic nature of the site is limited only by imagination. Some examples of the characteristics of dynamic WEB sites are content management systems, e-business systems, Bulletin/discussion boards, intranets or extranet devices, the ability of customers or users to upload documents, or the ability of an administrator or user to create content or add information to a site (dynamically published). It is easier to update a dynamic WEB site because every page you build is based on the information in the database, and the information in the database can be changed through another interface. The features mentioned above are common features in dynamic WEB sites.

Goal

In this article, you will learn about the following Rational application Developer features:

Turn a static web site into a dynamic web site

Use an SMTP server in the Create mail servlet (this is a Java servlet that enables you to support web-based private messaging services, including mailing lists)

Using the Java EE Security Editor (security in Java-EE applications ensures that only authorized users can access applications)

Use page templates (these are templates with specific skins, including the design of WEB pages)

Add JavaServer Pages (JSP) navigation bar

Necessary conditions

This article is intended for WEB site developers who are in a beginner to medium level of skill and experience. This article also helps readers who have an approximate understanding of the use of Rational application Developer.

System Requirements

To run the instance in this article, you need to have a linux® or Windows system with the Rational application Developer installed.

Overview

The Pvit Web site (the virtual name of the sample Web site project) is a central page from which employees of this "small company" can access information that is part of the team's work. The WEB site begins with static HTML Web projects that provide links to employee information pages, databases used by teams, team-building activities, and other data-rich Web sites. This test case will transform the existing static Web site into a dynamic Web site, add message servlet,j2ee security, and use the Web site designer's page template to create a consistent look for the overall web site.

Detailed information

Import the required Java EE module

This component requires the first part of the Pvit Web site that is implemented with pvit_static.

Artifacts from the pvit_static result are saved as Project interchange compression files.

The compressed Project Interchange file (pvit_static_rad.zip) can be found in the downloads section.

Import the compressed file as Project interchange into your workspace. The project Pvit should be imported.

Transforming static engineering into dynamic WEB Engineering

Once the project becomes a dynamic project, we can develop a servlet that interacts with the front-end user.

Select Pvit in the Environment menu and select Static Web Project > Convert to a Dynamic Web project.

Set the WEB version to the default of 2.4.

Click OK to complete the wizard.