Server-Side JavaScript(TM): Developing Integrated Web Applications - Softcover

Husted, Robert; Kuslich, J. J.; Kuslich, J.J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 020143329X ISBN 13: 9780201433296

Publisher: Addison-Wesley, 1999

Synopsis

A guide to writing better Web applications using server-side JavaScript (SSJS), covering how SSJS works and how to use it, and capabilities of SSJS. Real-world analogies, examples, and discussion of common pitfalls demonstrate the proper way to employ specific features in SSJS applications. Assumes familiarity with Web applications, and some knowledge of JavaScript, or of Java, C, or VBScript. The companion CD-ROM contains sample SSJS applications for all examples in the book, plus online reference materials, LDAP and Messaging SDKs, and an evaluation copy of NetObjects ScriptBuilder. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

Review

This brief 316-page guide, authored by two technology gurus intimately familiar with Netscape servers, covers the essentials of server-side JavaScript (SSJS)--the flavor of the scripting language that enables sophisticated Web applications on Netscape servers. Organized in a simple, topical manner, Server-Side JavaScript: Developing Integrated Web Applications is a quick read for developers with previous scripting experience.

In the opening chapters, the authors discuss the three-tier server architecture, the client and server versions of JavaScript, and how SSJS fits into the Netscape architecture and its companion technology, LiveWire. They present a sample SSJS application early in the book to give the reader a taste of how the language works in a real-world environment. In succeeding chapters, the book illustrates how to manage state, forms, and databases using SSJS--with a very generous collection of sample code. Local file I/O and interfacing with external Java applications through LiveConnect are also presented in a straightforward "here's how you do it" style.

The excellent mail facilities of SSJS are addressed in their own chapter with plenty of examples. Advanced topics such as interfacing with the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Netscape Application Servers are covered as well, though existing knowledge in those areas is helpful. A companion CD-ROM contains the source code, plus reference material to round out this practical guide for Webmasters. --Stephen Plain

From the Inside Flap

Over the past few years both of us have spent a great deal of time educating people on how to use server-side JavaScript (SSJS) to build effective Web applications. As the technology evangelist for SSJS at Netscape, Robert gave presentations and wrote technical articles that expounded on the benefits of SSJS and showed developers new ways to use it. As a columnist for Netscape's View Source magazine and as a formal mentor in Netscape's SSJS newsgroup, JJ wrote articles on building well-designed Web applications with SSJS, and he helped SSJS developers overcome technical challenges they faced. So it made sense for the two of us to put our heads together and write a book on SSJS to introduce new developers to the platform and to educate experienced developers on some of the newer application programming interfaces.

However, we both knew from the beginning that we didn't want simply to perform a transfer of knowledge and write a simple SSJS reference manual. In fact, Netscape already has a great reference manual for SSJS on its Web site. Called Writing Server-Side JavaScript Applications, it gives the details of every keyword, operator, object, and method that an SSJS developer could ever want. We felt no need to rewrite such a tome (it is included on the accompanying CD-ROM), but rather we wanted to use much of the same information for a different purpose.

This book is intended to be a guide to writing better Web applications using SSJS. We set out with three goals in mind: to instruct, to cover, and to expand. First, we wanted to instruct developers new to SSJS on how it works and how to use it. Second, we wanted to cover as many of the capabilities of SSJS that we could in a single edition. Third, we wanted to expand on topics we covered: in addition to describing a feature, we wanted also to describe the proper way to employ the feature in your own SSJS applications through examples, real-world analogies, and discussions of common pitfalls. Throughout the book, you'll find a cohesive mixture of instruction, explanation, and advice that we hope will help you write better SSJS applications out there in the real world.

We both work as Web developers in the real world, just as you do. We hope that you find this book to be more than just a "how-to" manual. We hope it will serve as a guide to designing and implementing rock-solid Web applications. What You Should Know

To use this book most effectively, you should be familiar with the way Web applications are built. If you have experience in writing applications with Common Gateway Interface (CGI), Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP), or a similar platform, you have more than enough knowledge to understand all the material presented here. Knowledge of JavaScript, used either in a browser or on the server, would also be helpful. However, a working knowledge of Java, C, or VBScript would also suffice. Although this book discusses SSJS language specifics, it does not teach JavaScript language fundamentals, so you may want to have a JavaScript book as a companion to this one if you are unfamiliar with the JavaScript language. About the Authors

Robert Husted is a technical lead at Qwest Communications Inc. in Denver. He recently worked for more than two years at Netscape Communications Corp. in Mountain View, California, promoting the adoption and use of SSJS. Robert started as a Web production engineer at Netscape, creating SSJS applications, in 1996. He worked on Netscape's AppFoundry initiative (free SSJS applications); the Virtual Intranet (a sample intranet site); and Netscape Insight, Netscape's first extranet. He created several sample applications for View Source magazine before becoming a technology evangelist in 1997.He's given a variety of presentations on SSJS, Visual JavaScript, and other related technologies in the United States and Europe.

JJ Kuslich is a project manager and Web applications developer at the consulting firm Application Methods, Inc., a subsidiary of Rocky Mountain Internet, Inc. Since 1996, JJ has used SSJS, Microsoft ASP, and several other Web technologies--including JavaScript on the client, Java on both the client and server, and most recently Extensible Markup Language (XML)--to build fully functional intranets and e-commerce applications for corporate clients. He has also led development teams in the creation of reusable components for software industry clients, including Netscape and NetObjects, Inc. JJ also helped write the Video sample application that shipped with Netscape LiveWire 1.0 and the Compiler sample application that ships with Netscape Enterprise Server 3.5.1. Much of his work has included integrating applications or components with relational databases either natively or through Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).

For a year, JJ volunteered as the DevEdge champion for the SSJS newsgroup hosted by Netscape. As a champion, JJ used his experience with SSJS to mentor other SSJS developers in the group by answering technical questions and fostering peer-to-peer discussions on SSJS development issues. Since 1997, JJ has also written many articles on SSJS and Web development for Netscape's View Source magazine and for the ScriptBuilder Web site. Acknowledgments

Although there are only two names listed on the cover, this book would not have been possible without the help of many talented people.

We'd like to thank the staff of Addison Wesley Longman for their professional guidance and understanding throughout the writing and editing process. This is the first book for both of us, and we'd also like to thank them for committing to two very excited first-time authors. Specifically, we'd like to thank Mary O'Brien, Elizabeth Spainhour and Maureen Hurley for their help in putting our drafts together into the refined, professional book you see before you.

Behind every book are special people who influenced the authors, the content, or both throughout the process. We'd like to express our gratitude for the guidance provided by Paul Dreyfus, the editor of Netscape's View Source magazine and the manager of technology evangelism at Netscape. Both of us have worked extensively with Paul, particularly in creating View Source articles for DevEdge Online. There is no doubt that this book would not have been the same without his support. We'd also like to thank Suzanne Anthony of Netscape for guiding us through the web of details required to start a book. Netscape's Basil Hashem offered encouragement and valuable assistance in the creation of this work--he was the catalyst who brought this book about. In this same vein, we'd like to thank Ray DePouli, John Fisher, Ron Stevenson, David Fail, Brendan Eich, Rob Weltman, Ken Smith, and Scott Johnston.

We also want to extend many thanks to the fine minds who helped improve this book by lending their time and expertise as technical reviewers: James Bender, Bill Binkley, Paul Dreyfus, Nate Kassenbaum, Willy Mena, Angelo Sirigos, and Mark Wilcox. Their help was instrumental in producing a text that is both accurate and interesting from the point of view of other real-world Web developers. Special thanks to Willy Mena, a Netscape employee and DevEdge champion for the SSJS newsgroup, for his many invaluable suggestions throughout the process. Nan Borenson and Suzanne Anthony also helped us in securing some of the great software found on the CD-ROM that accompanies this book.

We'd like to thank Netscape, Application Methods, Rocky Mountain Internet, and NetObjects for various contributions they made and for the support they offered to this project.

Finally, we'd like to thank some special people who helped influence this book through their relationships with us in our personal lives. We'd both like to thank all of our respective family and friends who gave us support and understanding (and occasional prodding, as needed) throughout the process.

JJ would like to thank four special teachers who, at various points in his life, inspired him, made him believe he could do anything he put his mind to, and helped prepare him with the tools he would need throughout his life and career: Lynn Stradley (science), Elaine Phelps (arts), Mindy Falnes (writing), and Marion Barchillon (technical writing).

Robert would like to extend special thanks to his parents (Dennis and Rita Husted and Kay Starr), who always encouraged him to continue learning, and to a few select individuals who inspired and helped him along the way: Mr. Rogerson (fifth grade); Mr. Harvey (English); Mr. Judd (English); Dr. Spainhour (English); Scott Knell; President Lloyd J. Cope (LDS mission president); Bill and Beth Flood; Connie Hatch-Frasier; Mary Covington; President Ray Martin (LDS stake president); Steve Smith; and Dr. Pat Logan. Last, he would like to thank his wife, Wanda, for her love and patience during the writing of this book.

020143329XP04062001

Edition details

• Publisher: Addison-Wesley
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 020143329X
• ISBN 13: 9780201433296
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 316