Web framework topics:

Web framework overview

The web framework uses layers and code-generation to support the building of efficient, highly declarative components and applications.

Some key features:

Flexible runtime

.schtml files run on the server, in the browser, or both using the Java to Javascript converter. For more control, mix modes on a single page.

Declarative, reactive, IDE support

Use code or data binding rules in the page to make templates reactive. As properties change in a reactive template, only the affected parts of the content are updated. The IDE suggests names even data binding expressions:

Rapid development, efficient runtime

Dynamic templates are interpreted using the dynamic runtime. Refresh the template for most code changes, even when the template has state.

Switch to compiled mode for performance.

The .schtml file is converted to .sc, then to .java or .js. The generated code is fairly readable and useful for debugging.

Inheritance for reuse

Tags use the 'extends' attribute to inherit from other tags. The new attributes and body content inherit and override those of the super tag unless the tagMerge attribute is set to replace, append or prepend.

Layers for flexibility, customization

Templates can also be layered. When an schtml follows another with the same name in the stack, the body/attributes are combined just like extends.

Create customized versions of templates without copying. Manage these copies using static typing, inheritance and the IDE, similar to Java.

Organize application code according to dependencies and run code in multiple ways without refactoring. Keep UI code independent of the server and it can always run as a client-only version for rapid development, even when the server becomes large.

Synchronization

Use real-time data for interactivity in customer facing applications, or to drive flexible client/server test scripts and tools during development and customization.

URL to page object mapping

Query/URL parameters mapped via URL patterns map to properties in the tag object. Properties populated from the URL when the page is loaded, and URL updated as properties change.

Window, document, location, history

Synchronized objects available to Java on client or server to expose window dimensions, url properties, mouse/keyboard events, focus, and location bar navigation. Share code between single-page and multi-page styles seamlessly.

Customizable base tag classes

Minimize markup required, maximize control over apps.

Single page or multi page apps

Easily mix and match these styles of templates sharing the same components.

Flexible management of server state

Build stateless pages with scope='request' or stateful pages that update incrementally and use caching for low-latency, low-overhead interactivity.

Scope templates or components to the window (scope='window'), or the browser's session for that particular single-page app (appSession). When components are shared across pages, use scope='session' for caching and synchronized state management. Use scope='global' or 'appGlobal' to share state for the entire server process, or for only that page in that process. Events are properly sequenced and delivered across scopes for efficient synchronization, and collaboration when real-time is required.

Command line, testing

Use the command line interface for controlling and organizing multi-process applications. Target commands to specific processes, or send them to all processes. Build static typed test scripts and refactor them using the IDE. Run a quick automated tests of all pages using the -tv/-tw options, or define testFileName.scr to run a custom script for each page. Open multiple windows, target comments to windows using scopeContextName.