Re: Jt Pattern Oriented Framework (looking for champion/mentors)

[David S <ds...@yahoo.com>]

Hi folks,

I've updated the proposal with names:

http://wiki.apache.org/incubator/JtPatternFrameworkProposal

I'll need to update the page again since a couple of people joined the project recently.

Regards,

Edgar

P.S. Jt 2.7 has been released.


Jt Proposal 
Project Name: Jt Pattern Oriented Framework 

 

Introduction

This proposal describes a Pattern Oriented Framework for the rapid
implementation of Java applications. This integrated framework is based
on a messaging architecture which provides strong encapsulation and
loose coupling; framework components can be interchangeably plugged
into complex framework applications using a “Lego" approach. This
framework provides capabilities for the implementation of applications
based on design patterns. The framework itself is conceived, from the
ground up, based on design patterns. Jt is probably one of the first
Pattern Oriented Frameworks (open source). 

Goals

The framework addresses the following goals: 
A) The pattern oriented framework implements and/or facilitates the
implementation of well-known design patterns like Gang Of Four design
patterns (GoF) and J2EE Design patterns. The framework itself is
conceived and implemented based on design patterns (from the ground
up). The framework also facilitates and accelerates the implementation
of applications based on design patterns. 
b) The framework architecture is based on a messaging design
pattern: framework objects are able to interchange information and
perform computations by sending, receiving and processing messages. A
messaging API provides strong encapsulation and loose coupling;
framework components can be interchangeably plugged into complex
framework applications using a “lego/messaging” architecture. The
framework takes full advantage of the power and simplicity of the
messaging design pattern/API. 
C) The framework lego/messaging architecture provides transparent
access to remote components: remote framework objects are treated as
local objects. Design patterns implemented by the framework (adapters,
remote proxies and facades) make this possible by hiding the
complexities associated with remote APIs. 
D) The framework provides transparent integration with other
technologies via framework adapters, proxies and the implementation of
related design patterns. These technologies include BPM, Data Access
Object implementations (DAO), Model View Controller implementations
(MVC), EJBs, AJAX, JMS, XML and Web Services. 
E) The framework is designed to be lightweight and fast (low overhead/small footprint). 
F) The framework messaging/lego architecture should improve and
simplify design/development efforts. There should be a tight
correspondence between UML design diagrams and the framework messaging
based applications and components needed for the implementation. The
framework should provide wizards and automated capabilities for
generating framework applications. Framework components should be
easily added to BPM process diagrams. In future versions of the
framework, it should be possible for application modules to be
generated directly from the UML design diagrams. This goal is still
work in progress. There is an early version of the Jt Wizard. 
G) The framework messaging architecture facilitates testing and
debugging efforts. It provides capabilities for testing components as
independent units by sending messages to the component and verifying
the expected reply messages. 
H) In order to provide additional productivity, the framework has been integrated with open source IDEs. 

Main Features

- Implemented J2EE design patterns include J2EE business delegate,
J2EE Session Facade, J2EE Service Locator and J2EE Value Object. 
- Web Services integration via the implementation of Web Services
adapters and proxies. The Jt messaging API greatly simplifies the
development and deployment of web services. 
- Integration with the MVC (Model View Controller) design pattern
and Ajax. Universal Jt components and adapters provide a transparent
interface between the Jt framework API and these technologies. The
business logic (controller piece) can be implemented using Jt framework
components and/or BPM business processes. 
- Integration with J2EE Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) via Jt Adapters
and proxies. EJB clients are able to gain transparent access to remote
framework objects. No need to deal with the complexities of EJB
application development. An implementation of the J2EE Service Locator
pattern is also provided. 
- Easy customization of framework applications. This is done via
resource files: object attributes can be automatically loaded from a
resource file. 
- Integration with the XML APIs via XML adapters, helpers and built-in bean/XML mapping capabilities. 
- Built-in logging/debugging capabilities. Messages between
framework objects are automatically logged. This simplifies the
debugging and testing tasks. 
- Built-in  testing capabilities. 
- Efficient and lightweight in terms of memory utilization. 
- Integration with the asynchronous Java Message Service (JMS). Jt messages can be sent and received via JMS adapters. 

Current Status and Community

There are several people involved with the project. The software
base is very stable. Several production quality applications has been
built based on the Jt framework. One of the next objectives is to
continue growing an active community of users and contributors. It is
expected that community will continue to grow. So far the main focus
has been the completion of the core framework functionality. We see Jt
becoming an ASF incubator project as a next step in its evolution. 

Meritocracy

Meritocracy will be fostered and encouraged within the project. We
will follow the guidelines of the Apache Software Foundation. Community
contributions and feedback are always welcome. We also plan to actively
encourage individuals to get involved in the project. 

Community

One of the next objectives is to continue growing an active
community of users and contributors. It is expected that community will
continue to grow. So far the main focus has been the completion of the
core framework functionality. We see Jt becoming an ASF incubator
project as a next step in its evolution. We plan to open the project to
a wider audience in order to achieve a larger and more diverse
community. 

Alignment

Jt is aligned well with existing Apache projects and technologies.
The framework has been integrated with several Apache technologies
including Struts (MVC design pattern) and Axis (Web Services Adapter).
The Jt automated Wizard capabilities has also been built based on
Apache products. 

Known Risks

Orphaned products: The projects has been growing as an open source
project for several years.The team is committed to continue this work
therefore the risk is fairly small. A preliminary Java Specification
Request (JSR) is being worked on. 
Inexperience with open source: Some of the current contributors have
experience working with open sourceprojects and communities. The team
expects to gain additional experience via the ASF incubator community. 
Homogenous developers: The people involved with the project work for
several organizations who are geographically distributed across the
world. 
Reliance on salaried developers: This project does not rely on salaried contributors. They work on a volunteer basis. 
No ties to other Apache products: As described in the alignment
section, this framework has been integrated with many Apache products.
The project expects to adopt the Apache License 2.0 
An excessive fascination with the Apache brand: This project started
outside the Apache Software Foundation. It has been evolving for
several years. Hopefully other Apache projects and initiatives will
benefit from the capabilities provided by Pattern oriented framework. 

Documentation and sources

Project information and complete documentation/sources can be downloaded from  http://jt.dev.java.net/.
java.net forums and mailings lists are not used. We plan to move to a
new location which should serve as a central location for the project. 

Apache sponsor

TBD. 

ASF resources to be created

* Mailing lists 
* A subversion repository 
* A JIRA issue tracker 

Contributors

* Dan Evans 
* Cliff Campen 
* Tuomas Kassila 
* Pretti Sharma 
* David Sheppard (Ed) 

Getting involved

Please send a message to the list if you are interested in joining
this project or using the framework for your particular application.