This session will explore Spring Web Flow (SWF), a core module of Spring's web stack, and its architecture as a powerful controller technology based on a finite-state machine. Keith will discuss in detail SWF's capabilities, including its ability to capture web application page flows as self-contained, reusable modules that make dynamic and sophisticated page navigation decisions. Keith will demonstrate SWF's solutions to important issues facing web application developers in areas such as application transactions, duplicate submits, security, testability, browser-navigation button use, and state management. This session will also show how Spring Web Flow may be leveraged in a variety of web environments as a compliment to "traditional" controllers. You'll see how to embed flows within a number of established frameworks in the web space, including Struts, Spring MVC, and JSF. You'll also see how it integrates with the rest of the Spring Framework. You can expect to see in-action the benefits of using a declarative, test-driven approach to building page flows to orchestrate controlled navigations that drive business processes. You'll leave with an understanding on when to use Spring Web Flow, and how to use it in a best-practice manner. The Spring Framework: ---  The Spring Experience:  ---  Interface21, Inc:
For those of you who want to study up before Keith's talk, he recommends: Starting at www.springframework.org/documentation The Introduction to the Spring Framework by Rod Johnson is particularly good read. From there, I'd recommend downloading Spring Framework 1.2.3 and Spring Web Flow PR5 (http://www.springframework.org/download ) You can then go to the Spring Web Flow WIKI for information about it: http://opensource.atlassian.com/confluence/spring/display/WEBFLOW/Home I'd recommend starting with the SWF "Quick start" and experimenting with the sample applications in the download distribution (see spring-webflow-samples/readme.txt for how to build/deploy the samples). The "Phonebook" sample is a good general purpose sample to learn from. "Sellitem" is another good sample, showing a wizard implementing with Spring Web Flow. Other than that, there are a wealth of technical articles accessible from www.springframework.org/documentation. There is also a in-depth reference manual on the Spring Framework. Another intro to Spring Web Flow: www.theserverside.com/articles/article.tss?l=SpringWebFlow
Speaker Bio: Keith Donald is a core Spring project member and principal with Interface21, a global company led by the creators of the Spring Framework. An experienced developer and mentor, Keith has built applications for customers spanning a diverse set of industries including banking, network management, information assurance, education, and retail. He specializes in translating business requirements into technical solutions. Keith is the founder of the Spring Rich Client Project and co-lead of Spring Web Flow with Erwin Vervaet. Lately you can find him leading Spring training courses across the US and abroad, planning the upcoming "Spring Experience" event in Bal Harbour Beach on December 7th - 10th, and serving as a guest speaker on advanced Spring with the NoFluffJustStuff (NFJS) tour.