Getting Started with Grails

Posted by Jason Rudolph on Jan 17, 2007 01:00 AM

Community

Java

Topics

Web Frameworks ,

Dynamic Languages

Tags

Grails ,

Groovy

Grails is an open-source, rapid web application development framework that provides a super-productive full-stack programming model based on the Groovy scripting language and built on top of Spring, Hibernate, and other standard Java frameworks.

Ruby on Rails pioneered the innovative coupling of a powerful programming language and an opinionated framework that favors sensible defaults over complex configuration, but many organizations aren't yet ready to stray from the safety of Java or forgo their current Java investments. Grails makes it possible to achieve equivalent productivity in a Java-centric environment.

131 pages, 6"x9", ISBN 978-1-4303-0782-2

Free download, buy the print version for $19.95

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Accompanying Source Code

This ZIP file includes the complete source code for all the examples in this book, with each folder containing a snapshot of the source as it exists at the end of a particular chapter: gswg_source_v1_4.zip

Table of contents

1.    INTRODUCTION
Learning by Example
The RaceTrack Application 

2.    LACING UP
Installing a JDK
Installing Grails
Installing a Database

3.    HELLO, GRAILS!   
Creating Your First Grails Application   
What’s Inside?   
Establishing Your Domain   
Taking Control  
Where’s My Data? 
Building Better Scaffolding 
Understanding URLs and Controllers 

4.    IMPROVING THE USER EXPERIENCE  
Customizing Error Messages  
Adding Warning Messages  
Implementing Confirmation Messages  
Removing Record IDs  
Formatting Data  

5.    GET DYNAMIC  
Dynamic Finders  
Build Your Own Criteria  

6.    NOT JUST FOR INTRANET APPS  
Beyond CRUD  
Implementing User Authentication   
UI Makeover: Layouts and CSS  

7.    PUTTING IT TO THE TEST 
Unit Testing  
Functional Testing 

8.    THE FINISH LINE 
Logging  
Deploying  

9.    TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MOVING FORWARD  
Defining Your Own Database Tables  
Working with a Legacy Database Schema 
ORM Troubleshooting  
Upgrading Grails

Author Bio

Jason Rudolph is an Application Architect at Railinc, where he develops software that helps keep trains moving efficiently throughout North America. He recently delivered an industry-wide inspection reporting and management system relied on for operational safety by Fortune 500 railroads, equipment leasing companies, and the Federal Railroad Administration. You can find Jason online at http://jasonrudolph.com.

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