Ajax4jsf
Encyclopedia
Ajax4jsf was a project for an open source framework that added Ajax
capabilities to the JavaServer Faces
web application framework
.
It was an early entrant to the JSF space, but did implement a still-rare feature, that of skinning
.
Ajax4jsf is now contained entirely within the RichFaces
project.
and JavaServer Faces
. Smirnov figured to merge the two, so that it would then be easy to have Ajax functionality within a JSF application.
The project began on SourceForge.net
under the name Telamon
(from the Shakespeare play, Antony and Cleopatra
).
Later that same year, Smirnov joined Exadel and continued to develop the framework. The first version was released in March 2006, as part of Exadel Visual Component Platform or Exadel VCP. Later in 2006 it was split into the Ajax4jsf framework and RichFaces
. While RichFaces provided a "component-centric" Ajax approach (components do everything you need), Ajax4jsf provided what’s called "page-oriented" Ajax support. The developer specifies what parts of the page should be processed on the server after some client-side user actions, and what client-side parts should be updated afterwards. Ajax4jsf became an open source project hosted on Java.net, while RichFaces became a commercial JSF component library.
In March 2007, JBoss
and Exadel agreed a partnership where Ajax4jsf and RichFaces would now be under the JBoss umbrella and be called JBoss Ajax4jsf and JBoss RichFaces. RichFaces would now also be open sourced and free. In September 2007, JBoss and Exadel decided to merge Ajax4jsf and RichFaces under the RichFaces name. This made sense as both libraries now had the same free, open source licence. Having just one product also simplified versioning and compatibility issues.
Although now part of JBoss RichFaces, the code still contains references to the identifier '
Ajax (programming)
Ajax is a group of interrelated web development methods used on the client-side to create asynchronous web applications...
capabilities to the JavaServer Faces
JavaServer Faces
JavaServer Faces is a Java-based Web application framework intended to simplify development integration of web-based user interfaces....
web application framework
Web application framework
A web application framework is a software framework that is designed to support the development of dynamic websites, web applications and web services. The framework aims to alleviate the overhead associated with common activities performed in Web development...
.
It was an early entrant to the JSF space, but did implement a still-rare feature, that of skinning
Skin (computing)
In computing, a skin is a custom graphical appearance achieved by the use of a graphical user interface that can be applied to specific software and websites to suit the purpose, topic, or tastes of different users....
.
Ajax4jsf is now contained entirely within the RichFaces
Richfaces
RichFaces is an open source Ajax-enabled component library for JavaServer Faces, hosted by JBoss. It allows easy integration of Ajax capabilities into enterprise application development.RichFaces is more than just a component library for JavaServer Faces...
project.
History
Ajax4jsf was created by Alexander Smirnov in early 2005. “Hot” new technologies of the time were AjaxAjax (programming)
Ajax is a group of interrelated web development methods used on the client-side to create asynchronous web applications...
and JavaServer Faces
JavaServer Faces
JavaServer Faces is a Java-based Web application framework intended to simplify development integration of web-based user interfaces....
. Smirnov figured to merge the two, so that it would then be easy to have Ajax functionality within a JSF application.
The project began on SourceForge.net
SourceForge.net
SourceForge is a web-based source code repository. It acts as a centralized location for software developers to control and manage open source software development. The website runs a version of SourceForge Enterprise Edition, forked from the last open-source version available...
under the name Telamon
Telamon
In Greek mythology, Telamon , son of the king Aeacus, of Aegina, and Endeis and brother of Peleus, accompanied Jason as one of his Argonauts, and was present at the hunt for the Calydonian Boar. In the Iliad he was the father of Greek heroes Ajax the Great and Teucer the Archer by different...
(from the Shakespeare play, Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra
Antony and Cleopatra is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607. It was first printed in the First Folio of 1623. The plot is based on Thomas North's translation of Plutarch's Lives and follows the relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony...
).
Later that same year, Smirnov joined Exadel and continued to develop the framework. The first version was released in March 2006, as part of Exadel Visual Component Platform or Exadel VCP. Later in 2006 it was split into the Ajax4jsf framework and RichFaces
Richfaces
RichFaces is an open source Ajax-enabled component library for JavaServer Faces, hosted by JBoss. It allows easy integration of Ajax capabilities into enterprise application development.RichFaces is more than just a component library for JavaServer Faces...
. While RichFaces provided a "component-centric" Ajax approach (components do everything you need), Ajax4jsf provided what’s called "page-oriented" Ajax support. The developer specifies what parts of the page should be processed on the server after some client-side user actions, and what client-side parts should be updated afterwards. Ajax4jsf became an open source project hosted on Java.net, while RichFaces became a commercial JSF component library.
In March 2007, JBoss
JBoss (company)
JBoss is a division of Red Hat, Inc.. It specializes in open-source middleware software.The company profits from a service-based business model. JBoss employ a Professional Open Source business model where the core developers of projects make a living and offer their services...
and Exadel agreed a partnership where Ajax4jsf and RichFaces would now be under the JBoss umbrella and be called JBoss Ajax4jsf and JBoss RichFaces. RichFaces would now also be open sourced and free. In September 2007, JBoss and Exadel decided to merge Ajax4jsf and RichFaces under the RichFaces name. This made sense as both libraries now had the same free, open source licence. Having just one product also simplified versioning and compatibility issues.
Although now part of JBoss RichFaces, the code still contains references to the identifier '
a4j' .