XPages

Applications created using XPages are accessible from web clients and mobile devices, and are cross-platform solutions. To develop the user interface, XPages uses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript web development standards. Interface themes support the management of several CSS files, ^[1] , and XPages also includes standard themes, such as the OneUI theme. ^[2] Like any web application, XPages applications can use REST services. XPages also provides simple mechanisms for linking data sources to the UI, with the goal of implementing various scenarios.

XPages application development is implemented using the IBM Lotus Domino Designer. With Designer, many key scenarios can be implemented declaratively and quickly, for example, to create a list of records from a database. XPages is based on JavaServer Faces , but the resources of XPages pages on an XML derivative are called XSP, which transforms into Java code when the application starts. At run time, this code returns HTML to various clients. When accessing data, XPages and Domino Designer use “data resources”. These data sources can be associated with page management UIs. UI controls and other controls are displayed in Domino Designer and can be dragged onto the page using drag-and-drop. The XPages development environment can be extended with an API that is based on JavaServer Faces. ^[3] This compatibility can be used in cases where third-party developers want to use their best practices in XPages applications.

XPages technology is positioned as part of IBM Lotus Domino and leverages the power of Domino. Domino uses document-oriented databases called NSF (Notes Storage Facility) and adapted to manage unstructured information. Lotus Domino also supports full-text search. XPages applications can be easily deployed to Domino servers or a cluster of Domino servers using the IBM Lotus Domino Administrator, or rather, using the replication and synchronization mechanisms built into IBM Lotus Domino.

The origins of XPages technology have been traced back to 2000, when Trilog Group, an IBM partner, developed a component-oriented development model for building web applications. The technology was called XSP, and was similar to the Domino RAD model, but was based on J2EE, XML, and open standards. In August 2004, IBM acquired XSP technology from the Trilog Group and integrated it into RAD for use in the IBM Workplace, which is identical to Domino Designer. XPages technology, based on JSF and J2EE, appeared at IBM in 2005-2007, then the technology was further developed under the code name “XFaces”. In 2007, XFaces were renamed XPages and integrated into IBM Lotus Notes Domino. For the first time, XPages technology was included in the IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 build. XPages technology was introduced to the public at the Lotusphere 2008 forum. The release of IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5 took place in December 2008. In the release of IBM Lotus Notes Domino 8.5.1, XPages technology continued to evolve and could already be launched inside the Notes client. This release also included a number of improvements to speed up and fix some bugs. The 'XPages' name was inspired from the original XSP naming idea, where XSP was actually an acronym for 'XML Server Pages'. After a first rebranding of XSP to 'XFaces', IBM chose 'XPages' as the project code name for the pre-release technology included in Domino Designer. With a catchy alternative being hard to come by, the project name stuck. The name “XPages” comes from the original name XSP, when the name XSP was an acronym for “XML Server Pages”. After the first renaming of XSP to XFaces, IBM chose the name “XPages” as the primary pre-release feature included with Domino Designer.

Third Party Products

• XPages Dynamic - fast output of Domino applications to the Web without programming. Visual constructor. ^[four]

• XPages.info - Rapid Web and Mobile Application Development Platform
• OpenNTF.Org - Open Source Site for IBM Lotus Domino
• wiki for developers on Notes and Domino
• Official Domino Notes Page
• Documentation
• XPages.TV