can I use JFC Swing?

[Srinivasa Kadiyala]

Task: Multiple files upload and download utility from documentum

Problem: If the end user does not have the SWING installed, how can I make it workable?


Alternate thoughts:
1) Planning to use Applet.
2) Using simple struts form with muultiple file uploads. As each file size is very big( as big as 50MB). Can a simple html form can hadnle?

Appreciate the experts feed back on this matter.

Thanks in advance

[Ulf Dittmer]

I'm not familiar with Documentum or what exactly the upload and download entails. But Swing has been part of the core JDK since Java 1.2, which came out, oh, I don't know, probably around 1999. Do you need to support users on the Microsoft JVM or why are you concerned that they might not have Swing?
[ November 12, 2006: Message edited by: Ulf Dittmer ]

[Srinivasa Kadiyala]

Thanks for the response.

we are developing a web-app. I am concerned that the end user may not have the Swing on their machines.

How can I handle that if I use swing?

[Ulf Dittmer]

I still don't understand. If you are developing a web app, where does Swing enter into your part (Swing is not used in web apps) - are you developing the client app as well? And again, why do you think the client might not have Swing?

[Srinivasa Kadiyala]

we are developing a J2EE based web based application. The requirement is ...

The user requests for a particular 'ID' all the files in the db(documentum/oracle). In a set of files, user can select one or more files, download files on to his machine. Modify the files and upload back to db.

I would like to use the Swing and our Team lead has a doubt that swing may not work as all end users' may not have swing installed on their machines to the IE browser( our corporate default browser).

I am getting little confused, what should I do? Shall I use swing or go for simple Applet?

I reaqd some articles that the simple HTML from has some limitation on file upload / download size. Appreciate if you can clarify this too on this occassion.

Thanks for all the support.

The whole web app is developed using struts on weblogic server.

[Ulf Dittmer]

If all the client does is upload and download files, then I would go with a web app, and not bother with Java at all. If for some reason you are set on using an applet, I don't see what Swing adds that AWT can't provide in this case. Remember that the Microsoft JVM that you're trying to support only works with the Java 1.1 API; anything added in later JDK versions will not work.

You can also use JFC/Swing with a 1.1-JVM by adding it as a separate jar file in the archive attribute of the applet. That file is available here. Of course, the client applet would need to download this file -which is sizeable- from your server.
[ November 13, 2006: Message edited by: Ulf Dittmer ]

[Srinivasa Kadiyala]

Thanks Ulf for the response.

What I understand from you is to go for the applet that serves the puprose for this requirement and if required add the necessary libraries in the applet.

Secondly, is there any limitation to file size if I use a smple html-form(Struts) to upload and download with I/O streams?

Thanks again.

[Gregg Bolinger]

Originally posted by Puthriah Sarma:
What I understand from you is to go for the applet that serves the puprose for this requirement and if required add the necessary libraries in the applet.

That's not what Ulf said. He is saying it's up to you to how you want to handle it and is giving you possible solutions if you choose to go the applet route.

From the conversation I think it is important to point out that just because you are using an Applet doesn't mean you can't use Swing. As Ulf said, Swing has been part of the JRE since 1999. What you need to do is determine whether or not your users have that capability. If they don't then you need to target the AWT and leave Swing out of the equation.

Originally posted by Puthriah Sarma:
Secondly, is there any limitation to file size if I use a smple html-form(Struts) to upload and download with I/O streams?

There is nothing in the HTML specification that limits the size. It depends on the server and the amount of disk space available. You'll want to put a limit in your server side code just for security sake, but a 50MB file should be ok so long as your server can handle it and it doesn't time out while uploading the request (if users have slow connections).

[Srinivasa Kadiyala]

Thanks Gregg for the clarification.

Thanks to Ulf also for all the support.

I have now the answer and a way. I will go ahead with full speed.

Thanks a lot again.

[Ulf Dittmer]

Originally posted by Puthriah Sarma:
Thanks Ulf for the response.

What I understand from you is to go for the applet that serves the puprose for this requirement and if required add the necessary libraries in the applet.

Actually, I said the opposite - I said to prefer a web app (with no applet) if all the client does is upload and download files. There's not much an applet can do to make this process better that a web app can't do either. What's more, an applet would have to be signed (because it accesses the local file system), which adds a few headaches.
[ November 13, 2006: Message edited by: Ulf Dittmer ]

[Srinivasa Kadiyala]

Thanks to both of you for a quick and good feed back. I am trying to use a struts html-form. But when I am getting some issues, I googled and found the following issue posted in the forum. You may also Pl have a look at it.

https://coderanch.com/t/55128/Struts/Multiple-file-upload