Google Web Toolkit (GWT) is an open source Java development framework for building Ajax-enabled web applications. Instead of the hodgepodge of technologies that developers typically use for Ajax–JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and XMLHttpRequest–GWT lets developers implement rich client applications with pure Java, using familiar idioms from the AWT, Swing, and SWT. GWT goes beyond most Ajax frameworks by making it easy to build desktop-like applications that run in the ubiquitous browser, where the richness of the user interface is limited only by the developer’s imagination.

This book focuses on the more advanced aspects of GWT that you need to implement real-world applications with rich user interfaces but without the heavy lifting of JavaScript and other Ajax-related technologies. Each solution in this practical, hands-on book is more than a recipe. The sample programs are carefully explained in detail to help you quickly master advanced GWT techniques, such as implementing drag-and-drop, integrating JavaScript libraries, and using advanced event handling methodologies.

Solutions covered include

•   Building custom GWT widgets, including both high-level composites and low-level components

•   Implementing a viewport class that includes iPhone-style automated scrolling

•   Integrating web services with GWT applications

•   Incorporating the Script.aculo.us JavaScript framework into GWT applications

•   Combining Hibernate and GWT to implement database-backed web applications

•   Extending the GWT PopupPanel class to implement a draggable and resizable window

•   Creating a drag-and-drop module, complete with drag sources and drop targets

•   Deploying GWT applications to an external server

•   Dynamically resizing flex tables

•   Using GWT widgets in legacy applications developed with other frameworks, such as Struts and JavaServer Faces

Complete Sample Code Available at www.coolandusefulgwt.com

All of the code used in this book has been tested, both in hosted and web modes, and in an external version of Tomcat (version 5.5.17), under Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. For Windows and Linux, we used 1.4.60, and for the Mac we used 1.4.61.  NOTE: There are three separate versions of the code. Please download the correct JAR file for the operating system you are using.

Foreword xiii

Preface xvi

Acknowledgments xviii

About the Authors xix

Solution 1: GWT Fundamentals and Beyond 1

Solution 2: JavaScript Integration 53

Solution 3: Custom Widget Implementation 71

Solution 4: Viewports and Maps 103

Solution 5: Access to Online Web Services 133

Solution 6: Drag and Drop 167

Solution 7: Simple Windows 199

Solution 8: Flex Tables 237

Solution 9: File Uploads 283

Solution 10: Hibernate Integration 303

Solution 11: Deployment to an External Server 325

Solution 12: GWT and Legacy Code 343