Web application development using Open Source and Java technologies

Abstract

With the growing popularity of Open Source and Java, software engineers have embraced the idea of a no-cost development platform for Web applications. This thesis introduces the concepts of Open Source and gives an overview on current Open Source products with particular focus on Web application enabling technologies. Covered are the technical aspects of Web application development with today's leading Web application development tools, such as Tomcat (the reference implementation of the Java Servlet API) and the Concurrent Versions System CVS for source code control. A case study of a real-world application, the development of a Web-based permit system for urban road construction, is presented to show that Open Source development can meet the expectations it has created. Java is the dominant Web programming language today, and is used extensively by the Open Source community. The author takes a closer look at ASP and C#, representing the core technologies of Microsoft's Web application development platform, as Java's most important competitor.