View source for Classes

'''[[File:GearIcon.png]] > Customization > Developer Resources > Classes'''

==About Classes==
Standard Java classes can be used to create business logic that is not provided by the platform's basic building blocks.

A class can be used as a backend ''controller'' for a JSP [[Page]]. It can be invoked from a [[Rule]], or used to define a custom ''handler''--for example, a [[HowTo:Create a Data Handler to Add Data to a Package|Package Data Handler]]. Or it can provide underlying functionality for such purposes.

You can make [[Java API]] calls in the Java code in a class, and you can create instances of classes in Java code.

There are some restrictions on the things you can do in a Java class, as described in [[Governors#Governors on Java Code|Governors on Java Code]].

In most cases, a [[Page]] communicates with a controller class, and the controller instantiates any other classes that are needed to carry out Page operations. (It is possible to instantiate a class directly in a page, but that is considered a bad practice.)

{{:Common:Java API Considerations}}

''Learn more:'' 
:* [[Developer_Suite#Classes|Classes in the Developer Suite]]
:* [[Working with Pages and Classes]]

==Working with Classes==
From the Classes page, a number of features are provided to view, create and manage classes.

===View Classes===
#Click '''[[File:GearIcon.png]] > Customization > Developer Resources > Classes'''
{{SearchFilterView|Classes}}
#Use the action buttons:
#*'''[New Class]''' - [[Add a Class]]
#*'''[Run All Tests]''' - Run all [[Unit Test Framework|Unit Tests]] defined in the classes

=== Add a Class ===
{{:Add a Class}}

=== Edit a Class ===
To edit a class:
# Click '''[[File:GearIcon.png]] > Customization > Developer Resources > Classes'''
# Click the name of the class to edit
# Click '''[Edit]'''
# Edit the Java code in the text area
# When done, click '''[Save]'''

=== Delete a Class ===
To delete a class:
# Click '''[[File:GearIcon.png]] > Customization > Developer Resources > Classes'''
# Click the name of the class to delete
# Click '''[Delete]'''

=== Creating Unit Tests ===
{{:Creating Unit Tests}}

''Learn more:'' [[Unit Test Framework]]

== Invoke a method in a Java Class==
{{:Invoke a method in a Java Class}}

== Editing Classes in Eclipse ==
Use the [[Eclipse Plug-In]] to add, edit or delete classes.

{{ #ifeq: {{SITENAME}}
|ISV Support Wiki
|==Global Classes==
{{:Global Class}} }}
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[[Category:Logic| 1]]
[[Category:Development]]
</noinclude>