[opencms-dev] Modules development: how to getting started?

[Christof Dallermassl]

Hi!

> I'm wondering how to build modules from the source - as done with
> org.opencms.welcome or org.opencms.frontend.templateone - and __an
> easy way to update the modules without to re-deploy the whole OpenCms
> system__. I also noticed the tomcat.update ant task, but I can't
> figure out how to use it properly too.

I am developing a small module for opencms and had the same problems.

I used a modified version of the build-single.xml file - I just added the 
missing variables and did some other minor changes. The rest stayed 
untouched: the directory structure, etc. But my code (resources, java files, 
etc.) are kept separate from the opencms source (this was important for me, 
easier sync with cvs, etc.)

This allows to build the zip file for the module. this zip file is then 
imported in the module manager of opencms. If I just change the java classes, 
I just copy the jar file to the opencms/WEB-INF/lib directory. Opencms needs 
to be restarted (but not redeployed) then. Most of the times, the module 
update works quite well, sometimes opencms needs a restart.

If you want, I can mail my build.xml file.

regards
Christof