Any way to explode, rather than running build.xml

[shanmmugarajak]

Hi

I have integrated Alfresco code in ObjectWeb Lomboz (Eclipse 3.1), made few changes in the JSP level, have set JDK1.5 and Jboss_home variables in build.xml environment, and was able to run the application which reflected the changes.

Now developers concern, I will have to tweak a lot at different layers to suit my requirement, in which case is there way, apart from running the build.xml to genereate and deploy .WAR file, can't I explode the WAR file make the modifications to the file and just restart the Jboss test server? Is this possible, if so how?

I am sure Alfresco development team will have their way to do it, as running the ant script for every modification and testing is painful.

Kindly reply

Raja

[kevinr]

Yes we do that. We find TomCat is the easiest platform to test against because it automatically expands the WAR file on deployment. You can then easily replace the JSP files (while the server is running hot) or class files and config files (then restarting the server).

For JBoss I think you can explode the WAR file by hand into the deployment directory (in the same way that a lot of the Jboss services are expanded into folder structures) - you can then make changes to the exploded structure.

Thanks,

Kevin

[gavinc]

Yes, you can. In JBoss you can create an alfresco folder under <jboss>/server/default/deploy/alfresco and extract the WAR contents in there.

Remember to remove the WAR file from <jboss>/server/default/deploy though otherwise your changes will be overwritten.

We are actually considering distributing the bundle in this way to make changes for developers easier.

[shanmmugarajak]

Hi Kevin and Gavin

Thanks a lot for your response. I was out of work for few days hence couldn't check your replies.

Yes I have done what you have suggested, created a folder ALFRESCO within Jboss\server\default\deploy\ and I unzipped  alfresco.war in it, I couldn't find any .class file in the WAR. It is the same WAR which works perfectly fine after making the JSP change and deploying it (created a new WAR after making my JSP change).

Now my question is how would I go about making changes to .java file and allied files (if needed) and deploy it. I couldn't find any .class file, if I could spot any my guess is I have to compile a java file after making my changes replace it in the ALFRESCO folder.

Help me on this - spotting the .class files, making change to .java file?

I belive you guys should be able to give a solution for the above.

I would suggest you guys give Alfresco itself as WAR file and instructions on how to go about it, to our community, so that it will be a great boon to developers, your idea in line with this suggestion is absolutely awesome!

Thanks
Raja

[shanmmugarajak]

Guys

This is an addition to the previous question of mine, regarding exploding the WAR of alresco

I am using JBOSS.

I did per your instructions, created a folder called ALFRESCO under \server\default\deploy, made a simple change in login.jsp, removed the alfresco.war and started the JBOSS server, I just managed only a error page - "/alfresco/faces/jsp/login.jsp is not available", to correct it I pasted the old WAR in the deploy folder, now I get the original login.jsp but the change is not getting reflected, currently I am in a position where I need to run build.xml for each and every change I make, this is really painful for a developer like me.

Guys I am sure you Alfresco developers would have gone through it and have a solution, please respond.

Thanks
Raja