JSF applications need a JSF implementation to run. There seem to be a few of these about, most noticeably the Sun JSF Implementation and the Apache MyFaces JSF implementation.
The Sun implementation supports JSF 1.2 which is the latest version of JSF and part of the Java EE 5 specification. The Apache MyFacesimplementation supports JSF 1.1.
I'm interested in Java EE 5, so I'm going to start learning with the Sun implementation using the GlassFish application server using NetBeans 5.5 as my IDE.
I know NetBeans has a lot of wizards and helpers to allow experienced developers to write applications quicker, but since I'm learning I'm going to try and minimize the use of these wizards. I'm a firm believer of learning a topic first before I start to use IDE generated code. When I'm more proficient in JSF, I imagine the tools provided by IDEs will be invaluable.
Michael Rimov
2/8/2011 05:48:31 pm

If you haven’t done so already, I’d highly recommend JSF in Action by Kito Mann. It really helped me break through in that area.

The other thing I would add is that I don’t think avoiding IDE usage is going to help you a lot. The XML navigation stuff can be pretty tedious. I think you’re going to have your hands full figuring out lessions such as “Don’t mix “, and some of the weird results that come from performance optimizations within the library.

Furthermore, I find that I tend to learn a lot about a topic based on how the IDE performs its tasks. I may ultimately decide that the IDE is doing something in a sub-optimal fashion, but in the meantime, I’ve been much more productive with the new technology that I would without the tool support.

My .02

-Mike

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David
2/8/2011 05:49:04 pm

Thanks for the comments Michael – much appreciated. There doesn’t seem to be many JSF books around so I’ll certainly have a look as JSF In Action.

I take your point about IDE usage. I’m certainly not against using the IDE and will certainly do so when I am more proficient. I was trying to say that I find it harder to learn a new topic if the IDE is generating all sorts of files that I may not necessarily know about. Once I have generated XML files manually a couple of times, I’m sure I’ll start using the IDE more (probably exclusively).

You make a good point about learning how to do something based up on how the IDE does it. Thats something I hadn’t really considered but now you’ve said it, it sounds obvious!

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