Introduction to WebObjects Builder

WebObjects Builder is an application that provides graphical tools for creating dynamic webpages for HTML-based web applications. Each page, or part of a page, is represented by a web component in your application. An application can have one or more web components. For example, most web applications have at least one component, called the main component, used to display the first webpage. This document describes how to use WebObjects Builder to create web components.

Who Should Read This Document?

You should read this document if you are creating a WebObjects HTML-based web application. You do not use WebObjects Builder if you are creating a Java Client or web service application. This document assumes that you are already familiar with Xcode and EOModeler. Read Xcode 2.2 User Guideand EOModeler User Guide for more information on these other tools. Read WebObjects Web Applications Programming Guide for general information on creating web applications.

Organization of This Document

Before creating a web component using WebObjects Builder you should be familiar with the breadth of tools available, the types of elements and components you can use as building blocks, and the location of all these features.

If you are new to WebObjects Builder, read Getting Started With WebObjects Builder and Editing Componentsfirst. If you are new to HTML and web application development, read Working With Static Elements next. Otherwise, if you are new to WebObjects, read Working With Dynamic Elements, Using Display Groups, and Custom Components.

These introductory chapters lay the groundwork for using the application:

• Getting Started With WebObjects Builder introduces the common features and functions, explains the layout of the web component window, and describes the organization of elements and components you use to build other components.

• Editing Components describes basic HTML editing and formatting functions that can be applied to most web content. It also covers editing specific types of elements—for example, tables and frames.

The following chapters explain how to use specific types of elements:

• Working With Static Elements describes how to use static HTML elements to build your component.

• Working With Dynamic Elements describes how to add dynamic elements to your web component and bind them to your application objects.

• Using Display Groups describes how to use display groups, in combination with tables and repetitions, to display large amounts of data that come from a database. It also contains instructions on implementing more complex pages such as a master-detail interface.

The remaining chapters cover other important features of WebObjects Builder:

• Working With Palettes describes the collection of existing palettes and how to create your custom palettes. You can save time constructing your component by using the pre-built components on palettes.

• Custom Components explains how to build custom components and reuse them in your applications.

• Validating describes the process of validating your web component.