Before you start

This tutorial is intended for experienced Lotus Domino Web application developers who are interested in using XPages and Themes -- two of the latest technologies available to Lotus Domino developers -- and in leveraging those technologies with advanced current-trend Lotus Domino application development techniques. This tutorial is also intended for those Lotus Domino Web application developers interested in combining Lotus Domino design elements with public Web services to create advanced mashup applications. While this tutorial provides you with step-by-step instructions for building an advanced Lotus Domino Web application, it refers to common Lotus Domino Web application development nomenclature and techniques.

About this tutorial

This tutorial will guide you through the update of an existing Lotus Domino Web application named Big Brother, which is designed to allow the creation of people NotesDocuments and child/response location NotesDocuments specifying the individual's current location. With XPages and Themes, you will create a functional dashboard for Big Brother complete with an OpenStreetMap-based Points of Interest map. This public Web service mashup with the Big Brother Lotus Domino Web application will show the capabilities of XPages and Themes while showcasing how your pre-existing user interface components and functionality can be added to these new Lotus Domino design elements.

The techniques and technologies used in this tutorial are positioned for use the day you upgrade your Lotus Domino server environment, allowing you to meet user experience expectations while providing extended functionality combined with the latest capabilities of the Lotus Domino product.

Upon completing this tutorial, you not only will have a solid understanding of XPages and Themes in Lotus Domino Web application development, but you also will have a functional Lotus Domino Web application that will allow you to visually track users across the globe.

Back to top

Prerequisites

There are several prerequisite technologies, development environment considerations, and a few things you should be aware of before beginning the tutorial.

You can download the Lotus Domino Release 8.5 Public BETA Server and Lotus Domino Designer in Eclipse Client with an IBM ID and password. If you do not have an IBM ID and password, simply follow the registration options on the Public BETA page. Additionally, you can use the the personal address book template (pernames.ntf) packaged in the Lotus Notes 8.5 Public BETA or, as mentioned, any Lotus Notes Client Release 6.5 or later.

• Lotus Domino Application Server Release 8.5 (Public BETA 2). XPages require both the Lotus Domino HTTP Server and the new Lotus Domino JSF in release 8.5 which, as of Public BETA 2, has been included in the Lotus Domino Designer in Eclipse Release 8.5 Client. To properly develop and test your XPages and Themes, though, I suggest the setup of a Lotus Domino application server.
• Lotus Domino Designer in Eclipse Release 8.5 (Public BETA 2). Creating, Editing, and all-around maintaining XPages and Themes, as well as the other various design elements discussed in this tutorial, are a component of the Lotus Domino Designer in Eclipse with Release 8.5.
• Internet Connectivity. As you will be using public Web services for two major components in the build project for this tutorial, Internet connectivity for both the build and usage phases of this Lotus Domino Web application mashup is required.

If you are unfamiliar with the Lotus Domino 8.5 Public BETA Server, Lotus Notes, and Lotus Domino Designer in Eclipse Client installation process, access the following site (IBM ID and password required) and review the release notes specific to your particular environment: http://www.ibm.com/services/forms/preLogin.do?lang=en_US&source=swg-lnd85.

1 of 10 | Next

Comments

Back to top

Table of contents

• Before you start
• Two new technologies
• The Big Brother example application
• Creating the mashup
• The dashboard
• Working with Themes for Lotus Domino design elements
• Summary
• Download
• Resources
• About the author

---

1 of 10 | Next

Next steps from IBM

• Try: Lotus Domino Designer
• Community: DB2

Dig deeper into Lotus on developerWorks

Try IBM PureSystems. No charge.

Experience today!

---

Get started with the cloud-based trial and pattern development kit.