Redmine 0.8.4 Deployment on GlassFish 2.1 using JRuby 1.3.1

Introduction

In this tutorial I will explain how to install Redmine 0.8.4 on GlassFish 2.1 using JRuby 1.3.1 with MySQL.

Required Software

• Redmine 0.8.4


• GlassFish 2.1


• NetBeans 6.7


• MySQL 5.1

Instructions

1. First we will need to download and install JRuby 1.3.1. The binaries can be found on the Kenai site.


2. Make sure that your PATH is set to point to your JRuby installation. You can check your install by typing jruby -v at the command prompt. You should see something similar to the listing below.
   

   dev:~ jyeary$ jruby -v

   jruby 1.3.1 (ruby 1.8.6p287) (2009-06-15 2fd6c3d) (Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM 1.6.0_15) [x86_64-java]



3. Run from the command line

   jruby -S gem update

   This will update all of the gems required to run our application.


4. Run from the command line

   jruby -S gem install jruby-openssl rails mongrel jdbc-mysql activerecord-jdbcmysql-adapter warbler

   This will install all of the gems required to run our application.


5. Download a copy of Redmine 0.8.4 and unzip it.


6. Using NetBeans 6.7.1, check the Tools --> Ruby Platform Manager to make sure that you install the JRuby 1.3.1 platform.
   
   
   
   


7. In NetBeans, create a new Ruby on Rails Application with Existing Sources. Next
   
   
   
   


8. Select the unzipped RoR Redmine application as the project folder.


9. Select the JRuby 1.3.1 Platform from the combo-box menu.


10. Select Mongrel for the server from the combo-box menu. Click Finish. NetBeans will create the RoR project and install Warbler which will create our war file for deployment on GlassFish.
    
    
    
    


11. We are now ready to configure the application. Follow the instructions for configuring the application here.


12. In the redmine-0.8.4 directory run the following command
    

    jruby -S warble config
    

    This will create the configuration file for warbler to build our war file for deployment on GlassFish.
    


13. Edit the warble.rb file and modify the config.dirs line to the following:
    

    config.dirs = %w(app config lib log vendor tmp files lang)

    This will make sure that we deploy all of the application relevant files in our war file.
    


14. Edit the warble.rb file and add the following line:
    

    config.gems = ["activerecord-jdbcmysql-adapter"]

    This will make sure that when we convert the application to a war file that the appropriate ActiveRecord JDBC drivers for MySQL are added to it.
    


15. Run the application to make sure that it runs correctly on Mongrel.


16. Run the following commands to create the war file
    

    jruby -S rake war:clean
    jruby -S rake war
    

    
    


17. Go to the Administrative Console on GlassFish. Select Web Applications and deploy the new redmine-0.8.4.war file.
    
    
    
    
    
    

Woodstock Dropdown List Binding Examples

I am spending the morning answering a number of questions posted to the nbj2ee list. One of the questions was how to add separators to to drop down lists. I decided to write a little code example to show how this is done.

The idea is to retrieve the data values from a database. In this case, I use a built in travel database from NetBeans.

There are two examples. The first one is a simple database binding, and the second uses the Option class to control the output.

The Option class allows us to insert any "filler" into the items we display in the list. Here is the code.

    public Option[] getOptions() {
       List<Option> options = new ArrayList<Option>();
       personDataProvider.cursorFirst();
       Option firstOption = new Option(personDataProvider.getValue("PERSON.PERSONID"), (String) personDataProvider.getValue("PERSON.NAME"));
       options.add(firstOption);
       Option filler = new Option(99999, "----------");
       options.add(filler);
       while (personDataProvider.cursorNext()) {
           Option option = new Option(personDataProvider.getValue("PERSON.PERSONID"), (String) personDataProvider.getValue("PERSON.NAME"));
           options.add(option);
       }
       return options.toArray(new Option[options.size()]);
   }

Here is the source code DropDownListExample. The example was created using NetBeans 6.5.1 and Visual JSF plugin.

Suggestions for IT Professionals in a Down Economy

I just read an article from Computer World about how to remain positive in a down economy. I found the article to be spot on.

The first item was going back to your roots and doing the things that attracted you to a career in IT. I agree. If you are not doing something you love now, go back and reflect on why. Perhaps it is learning something new, or fixing something old. Get the flame back.

The second item referred to social networking. I am on Linked-In, Twitter, Facebook, Plaxo, etc. I know a number of people who have made this their personal addictions. I have not become addicted to it, but I find a lot of value. The ability to connect with friends, colleagues (current and former), peers, and associates is truly satisfying. It can help you in many ways, as long as, you are careful not to post anything that you would not be proud to show your mother.

They mention getting out into the real world. I would agree. I recommend joining your local user groups (Java Users Group), and attend free conferences like the Southeast Linux Fest. These groups are your peers, and contacts to potential jobs. Conferences can enhance your technical skills, and allow you to meet like minded individuals. It also can expose you to new technologies to make your IT life better.

The article also mentions getting technical certifications. I could not agree more. Here again, your local technical user group may be able to help by offering courses, certification boot camps, or technical deep dives. You can also enhance your knowledge by offering to give talks. You will really learn how much of a subject matter expert you are based on the questions the attendees ask.