Developing JavaRanch!

[Prasma Kankut]

Hi,
I'm pretty new to Java and OO programming. I'm bit comfortable with the basics of Java programming, but still couldn't get hold of OO much
I'm trying to learn the language & concepts by doing some small projects, getting help from the experts here on the way. The project I have decided to give a try is to develop something like this site - JavaRanch Saloon!
So, I will post my ideas here. Hope you will correct me and give nice suggestions on the way.
First things first. What architecture should I select to develop such a site?
I'm thinking of using Java Servlets & JSP deployed on a Tomcat server, with MySQL as the database. Is this good enough? Or should I go for something fancier like EJBs? I don't prefer EJB for 2 reasons
i) I don't know EJB
ii) With a little knowledge I have, I think, EJB is not suitable for this sort of applications.
Am I getting it right or I'm wrong?
My selection of Tomcat & MySQL are purely because they are open source. You are welcome to give any better alternatives, so that I can learn something from your suggestions. But as for as this project is concerned, I have to stick to Tomcat & MySQL
Please comment on the above points. I will move on to next steps, once we finalize these questions.
Thanks in advance and hope to get many many replies

[Andres Gonzalez]

I'm thinking of using Java Servlets & JSP deployed on a Tomcat server, with MySQL as the database. Is this good enough?
enough.
ii) With a little knowledge I have, I think, EJB is not suitable for this sort of applications.
Am I getting it right or I'm wrong?
You're right, no need to use EJB for this. That'd complicate things.

[Prasma Kankut]

Thanks Andres.
Another question here: I have heard about Struts and many people are suggesting to use Struts framework. But I don't know Struts
What difference does it make? Is usage of Struts

a. Strongly recommended for these sort of applications
b. Recommended. But not necessary.
c. If you want, use it. Nothing special about it
d. Struts is not recommended for these sort of applications

Also, say if I develop this software with out Struts, how easy or hard it is to add that framework later? I mean, will it be a major re-work or just with some minor changes, I can make it Strut style?

[Frank Carver]

I'd go with c. Many people seem to like Struts, but I never use it myself. There are plenty of application frameworks and alternative approaches which may be a much better match to your skills and needs.
However, adding something like Struts after you have built a lot of your application might be more work than you'd like. Do some experiments with various approaches; read stuff comparing different web application techniques (including my "Simple Web Applications, the Friki Way" series in our very own Java Ranch Newsletter )
[ October 22, 2003: Message edited by: Frank Carver ]

[Thomas Paul]

There are a couple of articles about Struts in the JavaRanch newsletter.
There is an open source Java forum ( http://www.mvnforum.com ) so maybe you can look at that for some ideas.
One of the big things for forum software that uses a database is an intelligent caching mechanism.
[ October 22, 2003: Message edited by: Thomas Paul ]

[Prasma Kankut]

Originally posted by Frank Carver:
including my "Simple Web Applications, the Friki Way" series in our very own Java Ranch Newsletter

I just went through the first few paragraphs. It looks interesting. I will come back with more questions after I finish reading all the parts.
And thanks for introducing the Newsletter. I was never aware of its existence before .
I went there and got lost - so much to read (and so much to learn )

[Prasma Kankut]

Originally posted by Thomas Paul:
There are a couple of articles about Struts in the JavaRanch newsletter.

Yes, I noticed it after seeing Frank's post. Written by you right? Good work. (but I should admit that your article on Struts was bit overdose for me . But hey, that article on Collections & Logging were excellent ).
Ok, coming back to the point. are you suggesting me to learn Struts? Good point, but the learning curve threatens me
So let me settle for a non-struts architecture for now.

Originally posted by Thomas Paul:

There is an open source Java forum ( http://www.mvnforum.com ) so maybe you can look at that for some ideas.

Thank you so much. That site looks great. They have an entire forum there to discuss the about it. Cool.

Originally posted by Thomas Paul:

One of the big things for forum software that uses a database is an intelligent caching mechanism.

Mmm...sorry I don't get you. Are you suggesting to use a database with is capable of caching data or is it that the application must have a caching mechanism?