Originally posted by Shodhak Pari:
Thanks for your quick and useful reply. However, I have some more questions unanswered.
For example, when I say class diagram I know that it is just a specification of the public interface (with variables and methods). When I write implementation code, then it is code implementation of that class diagram.
Similarly:
1. What is Spec and what is implementation?
Answer 1 >>> Ok the SPEC is a document in which SUN defined what is JSF and all its characteristics. The implementation is "A set of APIs for: representing UI components and managing their state, handling events and input validation, defining page navigation, and supporting internationalization and accessibility.
* A JavaServer Pages (
JSP) custom tag library for expressing a JavaServer Faces interface within a JSP page. " as stated
here.
2. Does SPEC mean the public interfaces of all the classes/packages defined in the above Sun's url that I mentioned in the original post? IF that is so, then why did Apache publish the same API on their site?
Answer 2>>> No SPEC is just a document, the implementation is the set of classes defined in an API. Apache created their own implementation based in the SPEC created by SUN.
What SUn did was to define the steps that must follow each JSF implemementation and APACHE followed it, created it and made some improvements they jus thought that were missed in the SPEC.
3. Does it mean that, Apache, if they want to, can add more packages/classes to the SUN's API/SPEC, in addition to what SUN already specified in their API?
Answer 3>>> Apache can reuse the Sun Implementation because is Open Source. And as you know in open source software you can do any improvement you want and reuse it the way you want. But Apache decided to create their own implementation but they have to follow the SPEC. just remind always that.
4. Are there any other implementors of JSF Spec other than Apache? Where can I find more info about the all the third party implementors of the JSF spec both open source and commercial?
Answer 4>> As far as I know the existing implementations are: Apache Myfaces and Sun RI. You will find component frameworks and libraries like
JBoss Richfaces, Icesoft IceFaces, Apache Tomahawk, and others.
I hope know everything is clearer for you.
[ July 10, 2008: Message edited by: Andres Quinones ]
