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Posted to user@struts.apache.org by Dakota Jack <da...@gmail.com> on 2005/04/21 10:23:11 UTC
AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Here is a post on Cocoon, which show the present end of a long series
of posts using Frank Zammetti's idea propounded here and elsewhere,
see the attribution in this posting. Cannot tell which list to post
this to and I realize that everyone is going to ape sh__ over this
because ..................., but here is the source for those actively
following these ideas. My apologies if this is mistaken.
Jack
On 4/20/05, Antonio Gallardo <ag...@agssa.net> wrote:
> Hi:
>
> Simply, wow, it is great! :-)
>
> I started to do something similar 4 days before you posted this solution!
>
> My main motivation was because repeater widget with comboboxes are very
> slow in 2.1.x. I saw a browser waiting around 2 minutes to show a form
> because the repeater data. The all form was +100kB! Of course, this was an
> unusable solution. Then we thought that a solution was break the form in
> more pieces, but this looked very ugly from a user POV.
>
> At that time, Tim Larson advised to look for an XmlHttpRequest solution
> integrated into cforms. The same day, I saw an struts related article in
> the theserverside:
>
> http://theserverside.com/news/thread.tss?thread_id=33056
>
> And I started to migrate this to cocoon in my free time. But with no major
> success. :-(
>
> I think, your solution is more elegant than what I tried to do. My idea
> was to generate client-side java script for every widget and send it to
> the browser, then the browser will react to the onfocus event of the
> widget and fill the list on demand. That way we don't need to fill all the
> lists at once and the page will load faster. I expected cocoon caching
> will help here.
>
> Also, given the fact that this solution was not needed on every combo, I
> thought to include an @ajax attribute in the "fi" namespace on the
> template as flag. Something similiar like I saw in the struts sample
> pointed above. Not at the form level as the committed solution.
>
> I have 2 questions:
>
> 1- Will this ajax implementation improve the combo loads in cforms?
> 2- Are you planning to merge it in 2.1.x? If not I will see the urge to
> move to 2.2 soon! :-D
>
> Thanks for this great improvement!
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Antonio Gallardo.
>
> On Jue, 14 de Abril de 2005, 8:19, Sylvain Wallez dijo:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I've been thinking for a few weeks to add AJAX support to CForms. Ajax
> > is the current buzzword in the blogosphere since Google maps [1] started
> > and the folks at Adaptivepath found this name for the XmlHttpRequest +
> > JS + XML combo [2].
> >
> > At first this looked like a complex problem, requiring a special
> > controller and special pipelines on the server to answer ajax requests,
> > and "ajax-aware" implementations of widget styling (i.e. having a JS
> > client-side part to handle page update). Lots of code for the
> > infrastructure, and lots of browser-dependent code each time we want to
> > add a new styling.
> >
> > Then a few days ago I realized that we don't need that complexity. Form
> > widgets have all the information needed to inform the surrounding
> > environment if they need to be updated, and we can use this information
> > to do partial updates of the browser page.
> >
> > Two days hacking, most of which dedicated to writing client-side JS and
> > solving cross-browser compatibility problems and here we are: adding
> > ajax="true" on <ft:form-template> turns on the magic.
> >
> > This is still experimental though: it's only implemented with the
> > JXTemplate version of the CForms template language and requires a few
> > changes on repeater templates.
> >
> > -- oOo --
> >
> > How does this work? The idea is, when answering and Ajax request, to
> > send back an XML document containing browser updates directives, that
> > will contain document fragments that will replace their existing
> > counterpart in the page, based on the element id.
> >
> > These directives are represented by "bu:replace" elements (bu = browser
> > update) holding the id of the page element that needs to be replaced.
> > This is a very generic mechanism that at this point isn't specifically
> > related to CForms. This could for example probably be used by the portal
> > to update coplet contents.
> >
> > Now CForms. When a widget is updated in some way (new value, selection
> > list changed, repeater row added or moved, union case updated, etc), it
> > registers itself in a list of updated widgets in the Form object.
> >
> > The template works as usual unless there is a special "cocoon-ajax"
> > parameter, indicating an ajax request from the browser. In that case,
> > widgets that have changed are enclosed in a "bu:replace" element,
> > holding the widget id.
> >
> > This mix of template structure, and widget instances surrounded by
> > bu:replace elements goes to styling, which replaces widget instances by
> > their HTML styling, still in the bu:replace elements.
> >
> > A new "browser-update" transformer flattens the "bu:replace" elements,
> > i.e it removes all surrounding markup produced by the template. We now
> > have a list of partial page updates that are serialized as XML.
> >
> > On the brower, the update directives are "played" and the page is
> > updated. And that's all.
> >
> > -- oOo --
> >
> > Any widget, any styling can now be managed this way. The only -- but
> > important -- constraint is that the html produced for a widget instance
> > need to have the same id attribute as the widget.
> >
> > This constraint is satisfied for all field stylings (I updated the
> > stylesheets), but not always for containers (repeaters, structs, etc).
> >
> > About repeater, this requires a change in the template language, to
> > separate the repeater itself from the iteration on its rows. So rather
> > than:
> > <table>
> > <!-- header -->
> > <ft:repeater-widget id="myrepeater">
> > <!-- row -->
> > </ft:repeater-widget>
> > </table>
> >
> > we now have to write:
> > <ft:repeater id="myrepeater">
> > <table>
> > <!-- header -->
> > <ft:repeater-rows>
> > <!-- row -->
> > </ft:repeater-rows>
> > </table>
> > </ft:repeater>
> >
> > I have turned on ajax mode on the following samples:
> > - http://localhost:8888/forms-samples/carselector
> > - http://localhost:8888/forms-samples/do-dynaRepeater.flow
> > - http://localhost:8888/forms-samples/do-datasourceChooser.flow
> > - http://localhost:8888/forms-samples/do-taskTree.flow
> >
> > -- oOo --
> >
> > Next steps are better handling of container widgets and finer-grained
> > browser update for some often-used stylings such as dropdowns and inputs.
> >
> > Now that Cocoon has Spring and Ajax support, we really should post an
> > article on TSS ;-)
> >
> > Enjoy,
> > Sylvain
> >
> > [1] http://maps.google.com/
> > [2] http://www.adaptivepath.com/publications/essays/archives/000385.php
> >
> > --
> > Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
> > http://apache.org/~sylvain http://anyware-tech.com
> > Apache Software Foundation Member Research & Technology Director
> >
>
>
--
"You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it float on its back."
~Dakota Jack~
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Dakota Jack <da...@gmail.com>.
Yes. I customarily, unlike most, do not suffer the insults of the
self-appointed high and mighty, including you and Nially. I did
nothing like what you implied and only your overblown ego got in the
way.
On 4/21/05, Sylvain Wallez <sy...@apache.org> wrote:
> Dakota Jack wrote:
>
> ><SNIP>
> >On 4/21/05, Sylvain Wallez <sy...@apache.org> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Dakota Jack wrote:
> >>Yes, you are totally mistaken. So much that it's close to be insulting.
> >>
> >>Sylvain
> >>
> >>--
> >>Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
> >>
> >>
> ></SNIP>
> >
> >God the egos on these lists are sometimes almost unbearable. I was
> >not talking about you SylVAIN. I know that "sylvain" means of the
> >forest, so try getting the bigger picture here. No one is trying to
> >say you are not the greatest.
> >
>
> And I don't pretend to be the greatest.
>
> I just stated that you were totally wrong and offensive in implying that
> the Cocoon project was taking inspiration from Frank's article for its
> Ajax features and spreading this false assertion.
>
> What Antonio stated is that he failed in his personal attempts to add
> Ajax to Cocoon using the approach described in Frank's article (note
> that I don't speak here about the ajax-related discussions occuring here
> as I know nothing about them).
>
> I won't discuss further on this, as reading Niall's comments this
> unfortunately seems to be something common from you.
>
> Sylvain
>
> --
> Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
> http://apache.org/~sylvain http://anyware-tech.com
> Apache Software Foundation Member Research & Technology Director
>
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>
>
--
"You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it float on its back."
~Dakota Jack~
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Sylvain Wallez <sy...@apache.org>.
Dakota Jack wrote:
><SNIP>
>On 4/21/05, Sylvain Wallez <sy...@apache.org> wrote:
>
>
>>Dakota Jack wrote:
>>Yes, you are totally mistaken. So much that it's close to be insulting.
>>
>>Sylvain
>>
>>--
>>Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
>>
>>
></SNIP>
>
>God the egos on these lists are sometimes almost unbearable. I was
>not talking about you SylVAIN. I know that "sylvain" means of the
>forest, so try getting the bigger picture here. No one is trying to
>say you are not the greatest.
>
And I don't pretend to be the greatest.
I just stated that you were totally wrong and offensive in implying that
the Cocoon project was taking inspiration from Frank's article for its
Ajax features and spreading this false assertion.
What Antonio stated is that he failed in his personal attempts to add
Ajax to Cocoon using the approach described in Frank's article (note
that I don't speak here about the ajax-related discussions occuring here
as I know nothing about them).
I won't discuss further on this, as reading Niall's comments this
unfortunately seems to be something common from you.
Sylvain
--
Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
http://apache.org/~sylvain http://anyware-tech.com
Apache Software Foundation Member Research & Technology Director
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Ted Husted <te...@gmail.com>.
+1
On 4/21/05, Niall Pemberton <ni...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> Jack
>
> I find your continuous sarcasm, insults and generally rude manner in your
> posts to these lists unacceptable. I would appreciate it if you could please
> stop posting all this type of rubbish and stick to the purpose of these
> lists. Thank You.
>
> Niall
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Dakota Jack <da...@gmail.com>.
I suppose you find Sylvain's spewing just terrific? I don't think I
need to stand still for being unjustly insulted. If you think some
sarcasm is worse than plain ignorance and bad manners, that is your
choice. I don't think I will follow you lead. Your lead is along
lines of power. Mine is along lines of propriety. I still stick with
mine and leave you to the fate yours befalls you.
On 4/21/05, Niall Pemberton <ni...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> Jack
>
> I find your continuous sarcasm, insults and generally rude manner in your
> posts to these lists unacceptable. I would appreciate it if you could please
> stop posting all this type of rubbish and stick to the purpose of these
> lists. Thank You.
>
> Niall
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dakota Jack" <da...@gmail.com>
> Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 11:21 AM
>
> God the egos on these lists are sometimes almost unbearable. I was
> not talking about you SylVAIN. I know that "sylvain" means of the
> forest, so try getting the bigger picture here. No one is trying to
> say you are not the greatest. I cited a gentleman who got into the
> business in Cocoon via Frank's article. If it is okay to talk about
> facts having nothing to do with you, then I was okay. But, HERE I was
> talking about something else having nothing to do with you, AJAX,
> Cocoon, etc. You might try to figure out what that is, if you have
> time after preening. Lord! I am sure your work is wonderful. I have
> not seen it and I was not talking about it. I was trying to cross
> pollinate rather than cross pollute or just cross. Thanks for your
> grace, and, as usual, you wonderful poetic language embodying the
> finest tradition in poetic assonance.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: dev-unsubscribe@struts.apache.org
> For additional commands, e-mail: dev-help@struts.apache.org
>
>
--
"You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it float on its back."
~Dakota Jack~
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Niall Pemberton <ni...@blueyonder.co.uk>.
Jack
I find your continuous sarcasm, insults and generally rude manner in your
posts to these lists unacceptable. I would appreciate it if you could please
stop posting all this type of rubbish and stick to the purpose of these
lists. Thank You.
Niall
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dakota Jack" <da...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2005 11:21 AM
God the egos on these lists are sometimes almost unbearable. I was
not talking about you SylVAIN. I know that "sylvain" means of the
forest, so try getting the bigger picture here. No one is trying to
say you are not the greatest. I cited a gentleman who got into the
business in Cocoon via Frank's article. If it is okay to talk about
facts having nothing to do with you, then I was okay. But, HERE I was
talking about something else having nothing to do with you, AJAX,
Cocoon, etc. You might try to figure out what that is, if you have
time after preening. Lord! I am sure your work is wonderful. I have
not seen it and I was not talking about it. I was trying to cross
pollinate rather than cross pollute or just cross. Thanks for your
grace, and, as usual, you wonderful poetic language embodying the
finest tradition in poetic assonance.
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Dakota Jack <da...@gmail.com>.
<SNIP>
On 4/21/05, Sylvain Wallez <sy...@apache.org> wrote:
> Dakota Jack wrote:
> Yes, you are totally mistaken. So much that it's close to be insulting.
>
> Sylvain
>
> --
> Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
</SNIP>
God the egos on these lists are sometimes almost unbearable. I was
not talking about you SylVAIN. I know that "sylvain" means of the
forest, so try getting the bigger picture here. No one is trying to
say you are not the greatest. I cited a gentleman who got into the
business in Cocoon via Frank's article. If it is okay to talk about
facts having nothing to do with you, then I was okay. But, HERE I was
talking about something else having nothing to do with you, AJAX,
Cocoon, etc. You might try to figure out what that is, if you have
time after preening. Lord! I am sure your work is wonderful. I have
not seen it and I was not talking about it. I was trying to cross
pollinate rather than cross pollute or just cross. Thanks for your
grace, and, as usual, you wonderful poetic language embodying the
finest tradition in poetic assonance.
--
"You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it float on its back."
~Dakota Jack~
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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Re: AJAX and Struts -- Cocoon Use of Zammetti's ideas
Posted by Sylvain Wallez <sy...@apache.org>.
Dakota Jack wrote:
>Here is a post on Cocoon, which show the present end of a long series
>of posts using Frank Zammetti's idea propounded here and elsewhere,
>see the attribution in this posting. Cannot tell which list to post
>this to and I realize that everyone is going to ape sh__ over this
>because ..................., but here is the source for those actively
>following these ideas. My apologies if this is mistaken.
>
>
Yes, you are totally mistaken. So much that it's close to be insulting.
Sylvain
--
Sylvain Wallez Anyware Technologies
http://apache.org/~sylvain http://anyware-tech.com
Apache Software Foundation Member Research & Technology Director
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