RE: Correct Procedure for Creating GWT Web Apps

[jcmorris-mts]

Hi Eric,

I want to make sure that I understand the instructions at http://download.instantiations.com/D2WBDoc/continuous/latest/docs/html/features/gwt/web_project_creation.html correctly.

Though the current online docs say, "Note that GWT projects and Web projects are distinct entities and should not be mixed. A Web project can reference GWT modules via its Web Project properties. A Web project should not contain any GWT elements directly.", it's not clear (at least it wasn't to me at first) what the correct procedure should be to set up a GWT Web Project.

From what I gather then, in order to build and deploy a GWT application that has all the provisioning normally associated with a J2EE web app, one needs to actually create two separate projects.

1. Create a normal GWT project using Designer's GWT Project Wizard. From File... chose New Project > Other... then WindowBuilder > GWT Designer > Web > Web Project.
2. Create a Designer GWT Java Project. From File... chose New Project > Other... then WindowBuilder > GWT Designer > GWT Java Project.
3. Develop your GWT Project as per the tutorials and instructions found on this site and at the Google GWT site.
4. Add any additional servlets, JSPs, HTML pages, etc. that you want in your web app to the Web Project.
5. When comes time to deploy your web application, you simply make reference to the modules in your GWT Project that you want to include in your Web Project via Properties (Eclipse menu) > Web Project > GWT (tab).

Would you say that’s more or less accurate? If so, then perhaps it would be clearer to spell that out as a procedure.

BTW -- Thanks for such a sharp product! I'm thoroughly enjoying Designer, and I've been recommending it every time someone asks me about Java GUI tools.

Jason Morris
Morris Technical Solutions LLC

[Eric Clayberg]

Would you say that’s more or less accurate?

Sure. Keep in mind that you can also create Web projects using Eclipse WTP.

Also, as of GWT 1.6/1.7, you can put web.xml, servlet, JSP and HTML files directly into the GWT project.