Download - Intro To Alfresco Part 2
A Developer’s Introduction to the Alfresco Platform
Part One: Learning Your Way Around
Part Two: The Content Model, Rules & Actions
Part Three: Web Scripts, Surf, & CMIS
Jeff Potts
Content Management Practice Lead
2© Optaros 2008. All rights reserved.
Recap
In Part One, we looked at the Alfresco platform, in general
• Lots of ways to get content in and out of the repository• Out-of-the-box clients for document management, web content
management, and collaboration• API’s to enable you to build any custom content-centric front-end
application that’s needed
3© Optaros 2008. All rights reserved.
How Do I Model Custom Metadata?
Alfresco’s content model is easily extended• Expressed as XML• Wired in to Alfresco through Spring configuration
The image below shows a simple custom model
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What Are Actions?
Actions are discrete “units of work” that can be executed against one or more objects
• Move• Check-in/Check-out• Copy• Add Aspect/Remove Aspect• Custom
Actions can be called from several different places• UI• Rules• Java & JavaScript• Workflow steps
Custom actions are written in Java• Action executer• Action handler (for actions that have user-configurable
parameters)
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Demo
Custom model XML & model context
Web client config XML
Configure a rule• Specialize the content type of HR documents
Show a custom action• Configure the “Move Replaced” action
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Tools & Tips
Models are implemented by writing XML and then telling Alfresco about it through Spring
Actions are implemented in Java• Nice way to encapsulate reusable content operations• Called from rules, the UI, JavaScript, workflow, web scripts, etc.
Rules are end-user configurable in the Explorer web client
• Rules fire regardless of the client• Rules can operate on documents as they enter a folder, when
they are updated, or as they leave
7© Optaros 2008. All rights reserved.
For More Information…
Alfresco Developer Guide• http://www.packtpub.com/alfresco-developer-guide/book
Alfresco Content Community• http://hosted4.alfresco.com/alfresco
Alfresco Forums• http://forums.alfresco.com
Alfresco Wiki• http://wiki.alfresco.com
Alfresco Blogroll• http://blogs.alfresco.com/planet/
ECM Architect• http://ecmarchitect.com
Optaros Home Page• http://www.optaros.com