Learning Web Experience Factory 

Unsure where to go next as you learn Web Experience Factory (formerly known as WebSphere Portlet Factory)? This document provides a roadmap that lists some key resources and suggestions for building Web Experience Factory skills, from your first installation to advanced topics. The learning roadmap provides a number of resources, including demonstrations, product documentation, and education offerings, to help system administrators get started with IBM Web Experience Factory.

Note: Some of the articles linked to below may continue to refer to WebSphere Portlet Factory. These topics are also relevant to getting started with Web Experience Factory.

Getting Started

Installing and getting started

Skills:

• Install WebSphere Portlet Factory, create projects, and run sample models
• Make changes to models and test your changes
• Deploy and update models running in WebSphere Portal
• Understand WebSphere Portlet factory concepts and the designer environment
• Find key resources

Activity	Recommended content
View introductory videos	There are several short videos here that introduce key concepts and show how to get started: Video Gallery
Install development environment	Available as free download or as part of WebSphere Portal installation. For the easiest initial experience, install with a new Eclipse and with the WAS CE runtime. WebSphere Portlet Factory 7.0 trial download
Learn to edit, run, and test models on WAS CE	Using WebSphere Application Server Community Edition (WAS CE) can be the easiest way to start with Portlet Factory, and you can easily change to using Portal server later (see "Set up a WebSphere Portal test environment" below). Tutorial - Quick Start for using IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory with IBM WebSphere Application Server CE View a short demo of creating a new project using WebSphere Application Server CE
Learn key concepts	Become familiar with WebSphere Portlet Factory and learn what it can do for your portal development team. Get a conceptual overview of Portlet Factory and high level explanation of how the tool is used. Getting started with Web Experience Factory V7.0.1
Explore product samples	Product samples are available from the Tutorials and Samples / Applications feature when you create a project. See the OrdersServiceConsumer model for a simple model that uses a service provider/consumer architecture.
Set up a WebSphere Portal test environment	For developing and testing with complete Portal functionality, we recommend a local Portal server on the developer workstation. To setup a test environment with local Portal, see the following link. Creating a Web Application Project tutorial
Take advantage of the Getting Started forum	This forum is for developer discussions about installation, use, and deployment of WebSphere Portlet Factory and related products. This includes setting up your deployment environment, and configuring related products including Tomcat, the JDK, WebSphere, Notes/Domino, RAD 6 and Eclipse. IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory - Getting Started (Installation, Configuration and Deployment)
Become familiar with other Web resources	This section provides a collection of links to helpful WebSphere Portlet Factory resources Key resources

Getting started with developing applications

Skills:

• Build applications with a service provider/consumer architecture
• Use presentation builders such as View & Form, Data Service User Interface, and Data Field Settings
• Control application execution with Action Lists
• Add builders for page elements and to customize the look and layout of pages

Activity	Recommended content
Explore common application patterns	This wiki page describes some common application patterns and describes how they're implemented : Application Patterns with Web Experience Factory
Complete tutorials for building portlets	There are tutorials for building simple portlets: Tutorial Creating your first application
Explore tasks from the Getting Started with WebSphere Portlet Factory 7.0.0 guide	Refer to the section on Selecting builders for common tasks and experiment with implementing some different tasks. Learn to use builders such as Button and Text to add elements to pages. Try builders that modify elements such as Data Column Modifier. This includes some conceptual overview and information on how to accomplish specific tasks. Getting started with Web Experience Factory V7.0.1
See WebSphere Portlet Factory books	This section provides a collection of links to helpful WebSphere Portlet Factory resources. WebSphere Portlet Factory Books
View conference slides	View conference slides on best practices for development . Conference Slides

Downloading and running samples

Activity

Recommended content

Take advantage of samples on the wiki

The WebSphere Portlet Factory wiki includes a large selection of sample applications which you can download and run. The sample packages (.zip or .pkg) should be installed with the Designer's Import / WebSphere Portlet Factory Archive command from a project. The UI-related samples do not in general have external dependencies, but a number some of the data access samples involve access and configuration for back end systems. Samples and techniques

Building Applications

Accessing data and services

Skills:

• Create service provider models with testing support
• Access data from back end systems such as relational database, SAP, or Domino
• Call WSDL and REST services
• Implement paging so that large result sets are retrieved in small chunks

Activity	Recommended content
Take advantage of data access samples on the wiki	The samples in the wiki cover a variety of data sources. The most generic is probably the SQL sample, and there is a Cloudscape sample data base for use with the sample. If you will be working with another data source such as Domino, SAP, or external web services, there are samples you can use for those data sources also. Samples and techniques > Data access and services
Complete the tutorial for creating a database application	This tutorial lets you create a complete application using a database table created with the SQL Table Create builder: Tutorial - Creating a database application: wpf701
Install and explore SQL sample	This SQL sample can be used with a Cloudscape database, which is available as a free download as documented with the sample. Creating a SQL service Creating an SOA based application using a relational database in WebSphere Portlet Factory
Install and explore Domino samples and articles	The Domino sample and article includes a sample database, and shows how to implement full create, read, update, delete (CRUD) functionality using a service provider/consumer architecture. Creating a Domino Service Also see this presentation about integrating Domino data. Integrating IBM Lotus Domino into Your Portlets with IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory This tutorial shows a number of techniques for accessing Domino, but it doesn't utilize a "best practices" service provider/consumer architecture, using the Domino Collaboration builders. Using Domino collaboration builders
Install and explore SAP sample	This SAP sample works with most SAP systems, since it uses "flights" data that ships as a sample with SAP. Creating an SAP service This tutorial shows how to create an application that uses a new database table: http://www-10.lotus.com/ldd/pfwiki.nsf/dx/Tutorial_Creating_a_database_application_wpf7
Install and explore web service sample	This sample includes a web service provider and a consumer. Using and creating WSDL-based web services
Install and explore REST service samples and articles	This sample uses a publicly-available REST service from IBM. Using the REST Service Call builder This sample shows how to access Lotus Connections using REST services. Lotus Connections Integration Samples These samples and articles show how to access Lotus Quickr content using REST services. Creating a Lotus Quickr Service Using the REST Service Call builder Accessing IBM Lotus Quickr REST services using IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory Integrating IBM Lotus Quickr with IBM WebSphere Portal using IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory
Learn key concepts and interface definitions for the Data Services layer	Chapter 4 of the Portal Application Development Using WebSphere Portlet Factory Redbook provides an overview of the Data Services capabilities of WebSphere Portlet Factory, and continues with the definition of the service interface as the first step in the creation of the Data Services layer. Chapter 5 continues the discussion and provides implementation details for a custom data service, SQL Data service, Domino data service, and a data service to access an external web service. Chapter 4. Data Services: Overview and interface definition Chapter 5. Creating data services: Access to back-end systems
PeopleSoft and Siebel samples	The PeopleSoft or Siebel feature set, which you can optionally install in WebSphere Portlet Factory, includes samples. The samples utilize an approach that combines user interface and data access functions in a single builder. We would recommend using a service provider/consumer model architecture rather than the single-model approach used in the samples. Note also that the interfaces used in the samples may not be available on all servers. This Siebel sample shows how to access information from Siebel using a provider/consumer architecture, which is the best practice approach for data integration: IBM - Creating a Siebel Service
Process Server builders	Use builders to integrate human tasks from IBM WebSphere Process Server. The Unified Task List Developer Pack includes builders for access human tasks that are defined with WebSphere Integration Developer and deployed on WebSphere Process Server. These builders can be used to create custom task lists and task processing forms that work with WebSphere Process Server tasks. For more information: Unified Task List Developer Pack Unified Task List

Enhancing and customizing the user interface

Skills:

• Build a user interface for list and details, create/read/update/delete (CRUD)
• Control formatting and validation
• Add builders to customize page elements
• Create custom page layouts

Activity	Recommended content
Many features in the product support the easy creation of your Application's UI.	See Creating Your Application's UI
See OrdersServiceConsumer model in product	Included with the product install, add the Samples & Tutorials / Applications feature to your project. This model includes full CRUD capability using a sample service provider model.
Review chapter 7 of the Redbook	Chapter 7 of the Portal Application Development Using WebSphere Portlet Factory Redbook provides techniques for designing a user interface. Chapter 7. Creating portlets: Designing the UI
See sample and article on validation and formatting	Page Automation, Formatting, Translation and Validation NOTE: this article has not yet been updated to reflect the new formatting functionality in Portlet Factory 7.0, in particular the Data Field Settings builder
Explore Rich Data Definition sample	See the samples/datapage/RichDataDefinition model for a sample of controlling form and display elements in an automated way.
Learn to use "theme" support	Portlet Factory 6.1.2 includes powerful new capabilities for controlling the look and style of an application in a very centralized way. Themes and user interface control
Explore using a custom layout page	This article help you create a custom layout for an entire page of data, or for part of a page. Custom Page Layout with IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory
Learn to use other page builders	To learn about the rich set of builders available for adding and controlling page elements, explore the Selecting builders for common tasks section of the Getting Started Guide. The builders discussed in this section of the guide handle tasks from adding buttons and links to implementing Ajax and Dojo functionality. Getting started with Web Experience Factory V7.0.1
Explore sample showing multi-language support	This sample and article shows how to build a portlet for localization, using profiling and the Localized Resource builder: Localizing portlets

Developing for mobile and smartphone devices

Skills:

• Develop applications for smartphone devices that have a native-looking UI and access phone features such as geolocation
• Build multi-channel applications that leverage Portlet Factory's dynamic profiling to render to multiple devices from a single source model

Activity	Read whitepaper and install and explore samples
Install and explore samples of mobile web applications	This article and sample show key techniques for smartphone and multi-channel applications Developing Web Applications for Smartphones
View presentation on smartphone development from 2010 conference	These slides from the 2010 Portal Excellence Conference describe techniques for developing smartphone and mobile applications. Portal Excellence Conference
View mobile web application demos and slides, and download beta code and samples	Smartphone and mobile page. Smartphone and Mobile page

Ajax and Rich UI Techniques

Skills:

• Add drag and drop capability
• Use popup tooltips
• Support partial page refreshes
• Build great-looking interactive applications that leverage Dojo, Ajax, and rich UI.

Activity	Recommended content
Install and explore the latest sample of using Dojo, Ajax, and rich UI techniques	See how to use IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory to create applications with interesting and colorful, customized User Interfaces. Rich User Interface (Web 2.0) Sample
Learn to use AJAX with WebSphere Portlet Factory	This article and accompanying sample shows you how to use the Ajax-related features. Using Ajax techniques
Explore Ajax/Dojo samples	See how to use the Dojo-related features. Dojo Extension sample See how to use the Ajax Type-Ahead builder in conjunction with a data service (such as a SQL Call builder) to obtain a limited set of type ahead suggestions. Ajax Type-Ahead sample using database filtering See how to use Dojo to implement drag-and-drop, inline editing, and tooltips in your applications. Dojo Extension sample See how to manually apply the Dojo rich text editor to a field on a page and how to create a custom builder that automates the use of a Dojo widget. (Note that the Dojo rich text editor is relevant for versions prior to 6.1.5, since 6.1.5 has an out-of-the-box rich text editor builder.) Dojo Rich Text Editor sample

Working with profiling and portlet customization

Skills:

• Enable portlet customization by business users and administrators
• Use Edit and Configure modes in Portal, with automatic or customized user interface
• Create different application variations for different user groups or roles

Activity	Recommended content
Profiling portlets tutorial	This tutorial shows how to implement Edit and Configure modes in Portal, and it shows how to have different variations associated with different Portal groups. Profiling portlets tutorial
Learn more about profiling	Chapter 9 of the Portal Application Development Using WebSphere Portlet Factory Redbook provides a definition of profiling, conceptual information, a sample, and best practices. Chapter 9. Customizing the application using profiling
Download and run sample of profiling to groups	This tutorial show you how to implement the WebSphere Portlet Factory's profile selection handler WPS Group Segment Handler on an IBM WebSphere Portal 6.0.1 or higher. Using the WPS Group Segment Handler
Explore samples for profiling and portlet customization	In the WebSphere Portlet Factory wiki contains samples and articles about techniques that you can adapt for your applications. Profiling and runtime customization

Enabling portlet communication

Skills:

• Use Property Broker and WebSphere Portlet Factory events
• Use shared variables
• Use client-side events

Activity	Recommended content
Learn about inter-portlet communication	This article with the accompanying sample shows you how to use WebSphere Portlet Factory to implement inter-portlet communication including Click-to-Action, Property Broker, Portlet Factory events, and shared variables. Using inter-portlet communication
Learn about the different types of portlet communication	Chapter 8 of the Portal Application Development Using WebSphere Portlet Factory Redbook provides an overview of the different types of inter-portlet communication and best practices. Chapter 8. Enabling portlet communication
Download and run samples of client-side-events	The Ajax sample pack includes client-side-events samples. Ajax samples

Working with XML and Java

Skills:

• Create schemas


• Transform data
• Incorporate hand-edited Java classes and libraries

Activity	Recommended content
Creating an XSD schema for an XML variable	This wiki article detail technique that may be useful if you're not familiar with creating schemas. Building a Schema for an Xml Variable
Learn about WPF XML APIs	Also refer to the Javadoc for com.bowstreet.util.IXml and com.bowstreet.util.XmlUtil in the WebSphere Portlet Factory Designer help. Using Portlet Factory’s IXml and XmlUtil Interfaces
Explore techniques for transforming data	Information about transforming date with Serive Operation, hand-coded XML, and possibly Transform builders coming soon.
Learn to incorporate hand-edited Java	Information about Linked Java Objects, including converting from Method to LJO, classpath coming soon.
Leveraging existing Java beans	This is a sample uses he Java/XML Converter builder to handle the conversion between Java and IXml, and to generate a schema for the Bean structure. Creating a service provider from Java Beans
Take advantage of the Web Services and XML Schema forum	This forum is for developer questions and discussions around use of XML Schema and Web Services. IBM WebSphere Portlet Factory - Web Services and XML Schema

Deploying applications

Skills:

• Build and deploy WAR files for test and production

Activity	Recommended content
Review chapter 11 of the Redbook	Chapter 11 of the Portal Application Development Using WebSphere Portlet Factory Redbook describes the production deployment of the portlet WAR generated either from the WebSphere Portlet Factory Designer or using ANT scripts. Chapter 11. Production deployment

Understanding application architecture

Skills:

• Building portlets from multiple models
• Understanding WebSphere Portlet Factory architecture

Activity	Recommended content
Learn how to combine WebSphere Portlet Factory models into an application or portlet.	Review guidelines for working with multiple models. Techniques for working with multiple models in WebSphere Portlet Factory
Learn more about the WebSphere Portlet Factory architecture	See an overview of Portlet Factory architecture including builders and profiling. Portlet Factory Architecture presentation

Working with advanced features

Advanced profiling

Skills:

• Control application variation through a properties file
• Create a custom profile handler

Activity	Recommended content
Explore sample profile handler that gets values from a properties file	This sample includes a profile values handler that reads values from a properties file. This can let you control any builder inputs for a project from a properties file. For example, you could use it to configure environment-specific values such as server names or data source names. Profile management via properties file
Explore the profile selection handlers provided in the Portlet Factory product	This section of the product documentation talks about the sample profile handlers provided in the product. Profile selection handlers

Working in a team development environment

Skills:

• Use a source code control system (CVS) with WebSphere Portlet Factory
• Create builds from automated or command line tools

Activity	Recommended content
Setup source code control and command line builds	Get started with command line deployments and a review the topic on automating the command line deployment process using your source control project environment. Your team development environment Automation and scripting of publishing and exporting
Learn more about using WebSphere Portlet Factory with CVS	Learn more about how to setup a team environment and find some considerations for setting up the WebSphere Portlet Factory workspace. Using CVS with Portlet Factory

Creating custom builders

Skills:

• Create builders to implement new design patterns
• Create builders that integrate new data sources
• Control a builder's design time interface

Activity	Recommended content
Complete the making a builder tutorial	Learn how to creating custom builders in WebSphere Portlet Factory. Tutorial – Creating a Custom Builder
Explore sample builders on wiki	In the samples and techniques section of the wiki find samples and articles on techniques for creating custom builders. Samples and techniques > Making builders
View the making builders presentation	The presentation about making custom builders explains what builders are, how they are used, and how to create a custom builder. Extending WebSphere Portlet Factory with Custom Builders
View product documentation for reference information on developing builders	The following section of the product documentation includes reference information for builder classes and XML files, including information on creating the builder's user interface. Builder Classes
Learn how to make custom builders available to team members	This page on the wiki describes how to create and install packages containing custom builders. How can I make a set of custom builders available to other developers and projects?

Designing for performance

Skills:

• Build applications with optimized performance and scalability
• Diagnose performance issues and hot spots
• Monitoring system performance

Activity	Recommended content
Read performance tips	Learn more about best practices to improve performance and memory usage. This page collects some best practices for Portlet Factory related to performance and memory. This is not a comprehensive list, and most of the best practices for the underlying platforms – WebSphere Portal, J2EE and WebSphere Application Server, and Java – are also applicable for Portlet Factory applications. Performance best practices
Explore system tracing and model action tracing	Model action tracing provides a very quick and valuable way of looking at your application performance. Often you can use this feature to quickly determine which parts of an application are the slowest. There are two ways to enable and view model action traces: (1) you can enable tracing via a property as described in the link below; or (2) you can enable tracing from the Run Configuration dialog in Designer, which will then write traces to the system.out file. This feature lets you see all the actions that take place during server requests to a model. It shows the sequence of operations, such as calls to methods and page display, with elapsed time for each. This is most useful for looking at application behavior for a single user during testing. See the link below for information on interpreting the traces. Techniques to enhance WebSphere Portlet Factory application performance
Review key server statistics	Learn how to analyze the performance of your IBM® WebSphere® Portlet Factory application. Server statistics and performance analysis

Key resources

Activity	Recommended content
Getting started with WebSphere Portlet Factory	This document gives an introduction and overview to building applications with WebSphere Portlet Factory.
WebSphere Portlet Factory wiki	This wiki is a rich and up-to-date resource for all things related to working with WebSphere Portlet Factory. It includes samples, articles, best practice documents, FAQs, and links to other resources.
Forums on developerWorks	These forums are a great place to ask a question if you get stuck, or to search for solutions. They are closely monitored by the WebSphere Portlet Factory team, so you will usually get a prompt reply.
Training courses	There are a few Portlet Factory training classes offered by IBM, such as the popular "WebSphere Portlet Factory Top Gun Application Development" class.
Portlet Factory 7.0.1 Information Center	The product help includes a complete reference for builders and other product features.
Best practices for model development	Provides best practices, tips, and suggestions from the IBM® WebSphere® Portlet Factory development team for developers who are either currently using or are expecting to use WebSphere Portlet Factory.
Portal Application Development Using WebSphere Portlet Factory	This Redbook provides an in-depth look at all aspects of WebSphere Portlet Factory development, using a comprehensive example based on a fictitious company.
Rapid Portlet Development with WebSphere Portlet Factory Buy it on Amazon Read it on Safari Books Online	This book provides an introduction to using WPF, with a step-by-step guide and numerous tips.