WSAD questions

[Rama Ituarte]

Hello Howard,
I have some questions for you if you don�t mind.
What are the differences between Eclipse and WSAD?
Also I would like to know what you think are the weaknesses of WSAD?
And last when you create a new server and server configuration, what is the difference between the Test Environment, Express Server Attach, and Server Attach.
Thanks for your time
Rama Ituarte

[Nicholas Cheung]

Hi Rama,
I think I can answer you this question:

What are the differences between Eclipse and WSAD?

WSAD basically is built on top of Eclipse, i.e., the editor of WSAD is very similar to Eclipse. However, it is much more powerful then Eclipse, as it is not ONLY a Java coding editor, but also a simulator for testing J2EE application. It contains an Universial Test Client (UTC) that can act as browser (for testing JSP/Servlets) or act as EJB client (for testing EJBs).
For the weakness, I think each vendor-based problems faces the same issue: portability. The codes you wrote for one platform may not be worked on other platform. In general, I think it is quite user friendly tool becos WSAD come from the same vendor of WebSphere, and thus, the mirgration and development process will be easier.
I am not sure about the attached server. Express server is the testing environment come with WSAD for testing J2EE application. I read the posts from WebSphere forum that attached server seems required a real WebSphere server for testing, and the testing environment is connected to that real server. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Nick.

[Rama Ituarte]

Thanks Nicholas.
Rama

[Rick Portugal]

Eclipse is an open-source environment for creating application development tools. It can be considered a framework because you can add your own services to it.
WebSphere Studio is built on top of Eclipse. I have heard it said that "WebSphere Studio is Eclipse plus wizards". I'm not sure how accurate that is.

[Ko Ko Naing]

One difference is using Eclipse will surely raise your experience in dealing with open-source stuff... There are many available plug-ins to be set with Eclipse... But if u can afford to use WSAD, then it is more user-friendly and lots of wizards out there built-in....
All the best...

[Pradeep bhatt]

There are many available plug-ins to be set with Eclipse

I dont think that plugins come for free. :roll:

[Jacky Chow]

I dont think that plugins come for free.

Many plug-ins in Eclipse web site are also open source as Eclipse!
see http://www.eclipse.org/tools/index.html

[Ko Ko Naing]

Originally posted by Pradeep Bhat:

I dont think that plugins come for free. :roll:

There are a lot of plug-ins available to be downloaded for free in the internet... Why don't u try to google it and u will find a lot of free plug-ins... We can't even use that much in the real worl, Pradeep...

[Pradeep bhatt]

I will be working on Eclipse from next month. Is there any certification for Eclipse?

[Nicholas Cheung]

Hi Pradeep,

Is there any certification for Eclipse?

It seems no. I dont think a free IDE will have certification.
Nick.

[Henry Zheng]

Eclipse has an independent organization works on it now and not belongs to IBM any more.
Will WSAD still use eclipse?

[Howard Kushner]

Originally posted by Henry Zheng:
Eclipse has an independent organization works on it now and not belongs to IBM any more.
Will WSAD still use eclipse?

Hello Henry,
IMHO it's fairly certain that WebSphere Studio will continue to be based on Eclipse.
Regards,

[Nicholas Cheung]

Hi Henry,

Will WSAD still use eclipse?

IMO, my answer is yes.
As you can see, editor of WSAD 5.1 is still core Eclipse!
Since IBM tries to develop Eclipse in order to replace the old VAJ 3.x, she really put a lot of effort in it. Although Eclipse is free (maybe some of its plug-ins), it is not as powerful as WSAD!
Thus, I think IBM does not mind people using free Eclipse to develop Java applications, becos the more the people use, it becomes more and more popular. That's why its makert share can overcome WebLogic. (Personally, I still think WebLogic is the best App Server).
Nick.