WebPublisher Developer Tools

Overview

The WebPublisher Developer Kit (WPDK) is a collection of ASP.NET tools that Andornot has created to extend Inmagic DB/Text and CS/WebPublisher software. It is used extensively in-house and is improved and expanded on a continuous basis. Andornot developers use these tools extensively to enhance searching and display of WebPublisherPRO web sites.

The WPDK strikes a balance between the ease-of-use expected by lay users of Inmagic software, and the power, control and flexibility afforded by the .NET programming framework. It allows non-technical users to continue to utilize the TextWorks Form Designer to create report and display layouts for WebPublisher searches, but gives ASP.NET developers complete control over WebPublisher output and allows them to greatly enhance functionality.

Non-Technical Overview

Inmagic WebPublisher provides web search and data entry capability right out of the box, and users with little knowledge of HTML can get something working without too much effort. The WPDK has no place in a basic set up like that. It's only when advanced features are desired and/or the website needs to be part of an ASP.NET web application that the WPDK becomes indispensable.

Typical advanced features provided by the WPDK

• Ability to select search results and request them as an order (WebPubCart).
• Ability to select search results and email, save, or print them (ESP).
• Ability to set website security with forms authentication, which is a widely-used web authentication system where the username and password are stored in a text file or database.
• Ability to template a website so that everything except the content area on a page is stored in a single file.
• Ability to show the results of different queries in separate content areas on the page (allow selected full display to be seen on same page beside report, for instance).
• Ability to restrict WebPublisher output in creative ways (show brief results without needing password but don't go to full display without a valid password, for instance).

What's Included

The Andornot WebPublisher Developer Kit contains all the files, assemblies, and documentation needed to quickly put together a search and results interface that uses Andornot's WebPubResults and PageLayout controls in conjunction with WebPublisher PRO software provided by Inmagic, Inc. It includes examples, explanations, and the necessary dlls in addition to other files that provide extra capabilities. Templates are also provided to demonstrate Index Popups, EmailSavePrint, and WebPubCart configuration and functionality.

Requirements

• DB/Text WebPublisher PRO and DB/TextWorks or CS/WebPublisher PRO and CS/TextWorks
• Microsoft IIS 5 or above
• Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or above
• Microsoft Windows 2000/2003 Server or Windows XP Professional
• Optional: Microsoft Visual Studio 2003, Visual Studio 2005, Visual Web Developer Express Edition

PageLayout control

The Andornot PageLayout control applies a consistent look and feel to your Web site with one or more html or aspx template pages. A change in the template instantly updates all templated pages, minimizing the time it takes to make site-wide design changes. All server-side code and client-side script within individual pages is retained and remains unaffected. Use the PageLayout control in conjunction with the Andornot WebPubResults control for a powerful combination that allows more advanced control than ever before over a WebPublisher-powered website.

WebPubResults control

The Andornot WebPubResults control captures WebPublisher-generated html results. Rather than let WebPublisher send a page directly to the browser, the html is instead fed into the WebPubResults control. The developer is then free to manage and present query results in whatever way she or he sees fit. For instance: results can appear within one or more content regions on any ASP.NET page; results can be fetched automatically on page load instead of through a user-activated link or form submit; and WebPublisher-generated error messages are captured as well, providing control over where they are displayed (for instance, in using the WebPubResults control in conjunction with the PageLayout control, error messages remain wrapped in your site template by default). When and where the results appear are now options, not restrictions. Further, the WebPublisher response can now be bound within the ASP.NET environment at all times - the html coming from WebPublisher is laid completely open to programmatic manipulation prior to rendering. Form queries and canned queries are handled with equal ease, and all native WebPublisher functionality is retained.

WebPubCart control

The WebPubCart is an easily implemented shopping cart solution that lets Web users request items from an Inmagic textbase via WebPublisher. They can perform a search, select desired results and then submit a request for their selections. A checkout form gathers the information needed to complete the transaction (and saves the user profile to a cookie if desired) and then generates an email which is sent to both the requestor and designated addresses at your organization. The WebPubCart can be used for simple lending requests as well as purchase requests, tracking item quantity and costs if necessary.

EmailSavePrint (ESP)

EmailSavePrint is an extension of the WebPubCart which allows users to select items from search results then choose the format of selections and email, save to desktop, or print them.

Index Popups control

Index Popups provide an ASP.NET, XML-driven, non-Java alternative to Word Wheels. Popup index lists for WebPublisher searches and web data entry validation lists are common uses for this control. Results are paged so that actual and perceived load times are very fast. The control's appearance is customizable with a provided CSS stylesheet, and can be quickly up and running on any WebPublisher search page.

The WPDK can be purchased from Andornot for use by your developers, or Andornot can work with you to speed up development of your applications by using the kit as a starting point. Contact us for more information on the Andornot WebPublisher Developer Kit (WPDK).