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6.6.24: Administering application client modules (overview) >
6.6.24.5: Administering application clients with Application Assembly Tool >
6.6.24.5.1: Creating an application client

6.6.24.5.1: Creating an application client

Application client modules can be created by using property dialog boxes or by using a wizard.


Using the property dialog boxes

Creating a new application client consists of specifying the files that make up the client and then adding assembly properties. To create a new application client:

  1. Click File ->New -> Application Client. The navigation pane displays a hierarchical structure used to build the contents of the module. The icons represent the components, assembly properties, and files for the module. A property dialog box containing general information about the application client is displayed in the property pane.

  2. By default, the application client JAR file and the display name are the same. It is recommended that you change the display name in the property pane.

  3. By default, the temporary location of the application client JAR file is installation_directory/bin. You must specify a new file name and location by clicking File->Save.

  4. Enter the main class file name (required). Click Browse to locate the class file. By default, the root directory or archive is the current archive. If needed, browse the file system for the directory or archive where class files reside. Click Select. The archive's file structure is displayed in the window. Expand the structure and locate the files that you need. Select the file and click OK.

  5. Enter values for other properties as needed. View the help for 6.6.24.0.a: Assembly properties for application client modules. Click OK.

  6. Define assembly properties for the application client.

    • Right-click the EJB References icon and click New. A property dialog box for EJB References is displayed. View the help for 6.6.43.0.1: Assembly properties for EJB references. Enter values for each property and then click OK. Repeat to specify multiple EJB references. The top portion of the property pane lists each reference. Select the reference to view its corresponding property dialog box.

    • Right-click the Resource References and click New. A property dialog box for Resource References is displayed. View the help for 6.6.43.0.2 Assembly properties for resource references. Enter values for each property and then click OK. Repeat to specify multiple resource references.

    • Right-click the Environment Entries and click New. A property dialog box for Environment Entries is displayed. View the help for 6.6.34.0.a: Assembly properties for environment entries. Enter values for each property and then click OK. Repeat to define multiple environment variables.

  7. Add files for the application client. In the navigation pane, right-click the Files icon and then choose Add Files. Use the file browser to locate files to add. First, browse for the root directory or archive where the files are located and click Select. If you are adding an entire archive, select the directory that contains the archive. The directory structure is displayed in the left pane. Browse the directory structure. From the right pane, select one or more files to be added and click Add. If you select a directory and click Add, all files in the directory, including the directory, are added. Relative path names are maintained. The selected files are displayed in the Selected Files window. Click OK. The file names, extensions, modification dates, sizes, and path names are displayed in the property pane.

  8. Review the contents of the module and make any desired changes.

  9. Click File->Save to save the module.

Using the Create Application Client wizard

Use this wizard to create an application client JAR file. During creation, you specify the files that make up the application client. You also specify information such as references to other (external) enterprise beans needed by the client.

Before you start the wizard, you must have the class files and other files belonging to the application client. When the wizard is completed, your application client JAR file resides in the location that you specified.

To create an application client, click the Wizards icon on the toolbar, and then click Application Client. Follow the instructions on each panel.

Specifying application client module properties

On the Specifying Application Client Module Properties panel:

  1. Indicate the application to which this module is to be added. If a parent application is not indicated, the module is created as a stand-alone application.

  2. Specify a display name for the application client (required). The display name is used to identify your application in the Application Assembly Tool and can be used by other tools.

  3. Specify a file name for the application client (required). The file name specifies a location on your system for the JAR file to be created.

  4. Provide a short description of the application client (optional).

  5. Click Next.

Adding files

On the Adding Files panel, specify the files that are to be assembled for the application client. To add or remove files:

  1. Click Add. Use the file browser to locate files to add. First, browse for the root directory or archive where the files are located and click Select. If you are adding an entire archive, select the directory that contains the archive. The directory structure is displayed in the left pane. Browse the directory structure. From the right pane, select one or more files to be added and click Add. If you select a directory and click Add, all files in the directory, including the directory, are added. Relative path names are maintained. The selected files are displayed in the Selected Files window. Click OK. The files are displayed in a table on the wizard panel.

  2. If you want to remove a file, select the file in the table and then click Remove.

  3. Continue to add or remove files until you have the correct set of files.

  4. Click Next.

Specifying additional application client module properties

On the Specifying Additional Application Client Module Properties panel:

  1. Specify the classpath and main class for the application client. View the help for 6.6.24.0.a: Assembly properties for application client modules.

  2. Click Next.

Choosing application client module icons

On the Choosing Application Client Module Icons panel, specify icons for your module.

  1. Specify the full path name of a file containing a small icon, or click Browse to locate and select the file. The icon must be a GIF or JPEG image 16x16 pixels in size.

  2. Specify a full path name of a file containing a large icon, or click Browse to locate and select the file. The icon must be a GIF or JPEG image 32x32 pixels in size.

  3. Click Next.

Adding EJB references

On the Adding EJB References panel, specify the enterprise beans required by the application client.

  1. Click Add. Enter the name of the enterprise bean to be used by the application client, the names of the bean's home and remote interfaces, and the bean type (required). View the help for 6.6.43.0.1: Assembly properties for EJB references. The EJB reference is displayed in a table on the wizard panel.

  2. If the referenced bean is located in the module being created (or in the encompassing application), enter a name in the Link field (optional). If the bean is external to the module, leave the Link field blank. You can specify JNDI binding information later (by using the property dialog boxes or by using the administrative console).

  3. To remove a reference, select the entry in the table and then click Remove.

  4. Continue to add and remove references as needed.

  5. Click Next.

Adding resource references

On the Adding Resource References panel, enter references to connection factory objects for resource managers.

  • Click Add. Enter values for the name, type, and authorization mode of the resource reference, then click OK. View the help for 6.6.43.0.2 Assembly properties for resource references. The resource reference information is displayed in a table.

  • To remove a reference, select the reference in the table and click Remove.

  • Continue adding or removing references as needed.

  • Click Next.

Adding environment entries

On the Adding Environment Entries panel, add environment entries for the application client.

  • Click Add. Enter the name and type of the entry, then click OK. View the help for 6.6.34.0.a: Assembly properties for environment entries.

  • To remove an environment entry, select the entry in the table and then click Remove.

  • Continue adding or removing environment entries as needed.

  • Click Next.

Setting additional properties and saving the archive

Click Finish to complete the wizard. To change settings for properties, click Back to return to the appropriate panel. Make any needed changes, and then click Finish.

After you click Finish, the contents of the archive are displayed in the main window. You can continue adding or modifying properties as needed. For example, you can add binding information. When you are finished editing the archive, click File->Save. Specify a name for the archive and click Save.

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