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developerWorks Weekly Edition
 
4 December 2008   | Volume 9, Issue 48


Welcome, developers!


We all have bad habits. My wife packs too much silverware into the dishwasher. My preschooler leaves his trucks under foot. And yes, I'm told I have a few, too (something about the condition of the bathroom). Anyway, if you work with PHP code -- or want to -- we can help you avoid careless behaviors that could keep you trapped in programming mediocrity. Appropriately named author Nathan Good reveals five smart PHP programming habits that can help you create code that's easier to read, understand, and maintain. And while we're doing PHP by the numbers, don't miss the final installment of "30 game scripts you can write in PHP"; Duane O'Brien wraps up the three-part series with 10 advanced scripts that you can use in various types of games.

And of course, developerWorks has plenty of resources to help bring you closer to programming perfection, regardless of what technologies you're using. Here are this week's top features:


Until next week (when I hope to have the sink cleaned up),
John Swanson and the developerWorks editorial team


About this newsletter: developerWorks Weekly Edition is a customizable newsletter highlighting the latest resources on IBM developerWorks. If you've selected specific areas of interest, then you'll see detailed listings on those topics in the sections below. If you want to add or remove topics, you can update your newsletter options at any time using your user name and password.



 AIX and UNIX

AIX and UNIX zone | AIX and UNIX tutorials | AIX and UNIX articles | AIX and UNIX forums

IBM Network Authentication Service and related technologies for AIX
Get the answers to your AIX Network Authentication Service and related technologies needs in one place. This article provides developers and administrators with a listing of the developerWorks articles that cover configuration, administration, interoperability, Kerberized file systems (NFS v4), and different Kerberized login modules based on IBM NAS for AIX.
All NAS and AIX, all in one place >

 Architecture

Architecture zone | New to Architecture | IT architecture forum | Articles | Tutorials

Cloud computing with Amazon Web Services, Part 4: Reliable messaging with SQS
This series introduces you to cloud computing using Amazon Web Services, and details the compelling alternative it provides for architecting and building scalable and reliable applications. In this article, we explore the reliable messaging service provided by Amazon SQS.
Get the message >

Discover six business process best practices you can't work without
There's a lot to know about business process management. With the right building blocks, however, you can keep things under control.
Be in control >

developerWorks space: Business analyst tools and best practices
Keep up to date with the latest tools and best practices designed to help business analysts translate business requirements into IT requirements.
Visit the space >

 Information Management

Information Mgmt zone | Articles | Tutorials | Reader favorites | Forums | Downloads

Tutorial: Data modeling with Rational Data Architect and Informix Dynamic Server
Learn about the features of Rational Data Architect, including how models can be used to represent business entities, database entities, and domain entities.  Follow scenarios and examples to explore the benefits RDA provides for Informix Dynamic Server.
Model a new database from an existing one >

Create business reports for XML data with Cognos 8 BI and DB2 pureXML
Learn how creating relational views of hierarchical XML data as well as writing SQL-based queries over XML data can enable you to extract information from XML documents and messages, integrate this information with existing relational data, and create reports.
Marry report writing tools with critical XML data capture >

Deviation detection with InfoSphere Warehouse and Cognos
Learn how to identify unnatural data records with InfoSphere Warehouse data mining, and create interactive reports that allow interactive exploration, in Part 2 of this series.
Learn to ID unnatural data records >

Enter the "Search for the XML Superstar" contest
The XML Challenge is a series of five XML contests created by the International DB2 Users Group to search for XML superstars around the world. You have an opportunity to vote, comment on, and enter contests focused on video, gadget, query, ported app, and XML programming. Find out today about the prizes that await multiple winners, and get started!
Use your expertise to find the next XML star >

Are you a Data Champion?
Do you contribute to the IBM Data Management community through blogging, speaking at conferences, writing books or articles, or participating in a user group? Learn how you can gain special designation as a Data Champion, or nominate another member of the community.
Do you have what it takes to be a Data Champ? >

Trial: IBM Data Studio Developer V1.2
Download this integrated database development environment, which speeds application design, development, and deployment while increasing data access efficiency and performance.
Build fast, efficient app development and deployment with this download >

On-demand webcast: The information-driven enterprise
In this webcast, experts discuss how to build an information agenda -- a methodology for rapidly leveraging and transforming information into a trusted strategic asset for sustained competitive advantage and business optimization.
Learn to transform information into a reliable technology strategy >

On-demand webcast: Next-generation database development
Learn how the integrated development environment in IBM Data Studio can help you to build the skills to write faster queries, understand the performance characteristics of data access, manage your schema changes, and more.
Become an IBM data management expert >

 Java technology

Java technology zone | New to Java technology | Forums | Standards | Downloads | Tutorials

Build faster Web applications with caching
Web developers who use Java technologies can quickly improve their applications' performance by using a cache utility. Java Caching System (JCS), a powerful distributed caching system for Java applications, is a highly configurable tool with a simple API. This article gives you an overview of JCS and shows how to use it to speed up your Web applications.
Caching out >

 Lotus

Lotus zone | New to Lotus | Articles | Tutorials | Downloads | Forums

Build composite applications with Notes widgets in Lotus Notes 8.0.1
This article introduces the concept and usage of Notes My Widgets. Through several examples, it shows you how to create Notes widgets from different kinds of resources in Lotus Notes 8.0.1. It also shows you how to build a sample composite application by leveraging Notes widgets.
Start building >

Lotusphere 2009: Session details now available
The breakout sessions for Lotusphere 2009 are set, and the abstracts are now live on the Lotusphere 2009 site!
Get all the details >

Experience the Lotus "Bluehouse" Beta
Working together just got easier. Sign up for the "Bluehouse" Beta or view demos. Maximize your online meeting experience -- before, during, and after.
Try it out >

 Open source

Apache Derby resources | Apache Geronimo resources | Eclipse resources | PHP resources

Five good programming habits for PHP developers
Learn the smart programming habits that when practiced consistently make a good programmer great.
Get to know PHP's fab 5 >

30 game scripts you can write in PHP, Part 3: Create 10 advanced scripts
PHP is an easy-to-learn, widely accessible programming language that's well suited to developing simple scripts you can use in all kinds of games. Learn 10 advanced scripts that will test your limits in game programming and PHP.
Game on! >

 Rational

Rational zone | Technical articles | Downloads | Forums | Training | Plug-ins | Tutorials

UML-to-Java transformation in Rational Software Architect editions and related software
This article illustrates the application of Java transformations in RSA for interactive development in the context of design contract management protocols. These protocols help manage the relationship between design models and the implementation code.
Apply Java transformations in RSA >

Deployment modeling in Rational Software Architect Version 7.5, Part 1: Anatomy of a topology model
Rational Software Architect Version 7.5 contains a powerful deployment modeling feature to model IT systems and their complex relationships visually. It is built on an extensible topology model. This article series presents the anatomy of the topology model.
Understand a topology model >

Rational Team Concert Version 1.0 server sizing guide
This download contains guidance for choosing a deployment topology for Rational Team Concert.
Pick the right RTC server >

Tutorial: Data modeling with Rational Data Architect and Informix Dynamic Server
This tutorial covers RDA as a modeling tool for Informix Dynamic Server. Included are various features of RDA, including how models can be used to represent business entities, database entities, and domain entities.
Model Informix Dynamic Server in RDA >

Teleconference: Learn how to build rich Internet applications with Rational Application Developer
Live: December 11, 2008 - 11am Eastern US (GMT - 05:00)
Join this discussion and pose questions directly to the IBM product team involved with the Rational Web Tooling capabilities for products such as Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software V7.5 and Rational Software Architect.
Build Web apps in RAD >

Demo: Rational Application Developer -- Rich Internet application development tools
This demo highlights the enhanced Web 2.0 application development features in RAD for WebSphere Software V7.5, including code generation, wizards, and integrated test servers. We'll build a simple Ajax application that displays data from a database using Java Persistence API (JPA).
See Internet features in RAD >

On-demand webcast: Rational ClearCase, Rational ClearQuest, and Rational Team Concert in perfect harmony!
ClearCase and ClearQuest support enterprise development needs while RTC serves small and mid-sized teams. This webcast demonstrates how to seamlessly unify these tools for environments of scale and agile.
Create a three-tool chorus >

Latest Rational trials
Evaluate Rational software before committing to a purchase:
Rational Quality Manager V1.0 | AppScan Developer Edition V7.7 | Rational Software Modeler V7.5
RAD for WebSphere V7.5 | RSA Standard Edition V7.5 | RSA for WebSphere V7.5


 SOA and Web services

SOA/Web services zone | New to SOA | Standards | Forums | Articles | Tutorials

IBM SOA Sandbox
The IBM SOA Sandbox lets you increase your SOA skills through practical, hands-on, online trials. Begin one of the five trials based on people, process, information, reuse, or connectivity -- or dive into more advanced topics such as governance of reuse or green. These online trials are based on real customer experiences and provide a simple way to get started with SOA.
Are you up to the SOA trials challenge? >

IBM SOA Sandbox for Green
The SOA Sandbox is going green! Using specially designed exercises, you can assess how SOA technology can be leveraged to make enterprises more efficient and eco-friendly.
Assess SOA's ability to make your enterprise eco-friendly >

Best practices for SOA nonfunctional testing
In the course of developing a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) application, your organization will most likely have nonfunctional requirements (NFRs) that need significant implementation and testing. Shiv Asthana describes the best practices you should adhere to when testing nonfunctional requirements for applications built as part of an SOA environment.
Do right by your NFRs >

Web services tip: Use polymorphism as an alternative to xsd:choice
xsd:choice is not always the optimal XML schema construct. For instance, a type containing xsd:choice does not map to a user-friendly Java class using a JAX-RPC code generator. In this article, you learn about a functional equivalent to xsd:choice: polymorphism.
Compare and contrast constructs for your best possible choice >

 Web development

Web development zone | Ajax resource center | Tutorials | Articles

Spam, spam, spam, spam!
In order to fight spam you need to understand it. Uche Ogbuji helps arm you with knowledge about spam attacks and tools and techniques you can use to fight back. This is the first of two parts in Uche's continuing series on the Real Web 2.0.
Spammity-spam >

Did you catch our AWT overview?
You may have missed our article on the Abstract User Interface Markup Language Web Toolkit (AWT) that renders AUIML for JavaScript and Dojo. Discover emerging tools that can help you create more exciting and user-friendly interfaces for your Web apps.
Check out AWT >

Your CSS toolbox
Cascading Style Sheets are an incredibly powerful approach to adding flexibility and beauty to a Web page. Visit the CSS Digest space for current trends, tips, tricks, and hidden powers of CSS.
Explore the CSS Digest >

 WebSphere

WebSphere zone | New to WebSphere | Articles | Downloads | Forums | Technical Journal

Configure EJB application security with WebSphere Application Server Community Edition V2
Configuring security in Community Edition V2 is different from previous versions because of new features such as CredentialStore, run-as-subject, and default-subject. This article takes you through the details.
More >

On-demand webcast: What's new in WebSphere MQ Explorer V7?
This technical exchange outlines key differences between WebSphere MQ Explorer V6 and V7. Topics include MQ Explorer and new functions such as Topics, Subscribers, and Sets that enable easier administration of local and remote queue managers.
More >

New WebSphere education and certification center
The new IBM WebSphere education Web site makes it easier than ever to learn about WebSphere education and certification options, build a personalized and sequential roadmap of coursework, and enroll.
More >

Life cycle governance in multiple deployment environments with WebSphere Service Registry and Repository
Learn how to perform life cycle governance in a multiple-environment topology using WebSphere Service Registry and Repository’s promotion capabilities. Several use cases show you how to promote SOA artifacts and related metadata between multiple deployment environments.
More >

XML mapping in WebSphere Integration Developer, Part 1: Introduction
This article series shows you how to quickly create robust and well-organized XML maps in WebSphere Integration Developer V6.1.2, and describes tools you can use to debug maps and speed problem determination.
More >

 XML

XML zone | New to XML | XML Exchange | XML forums | XML tutorials | XML top ten

Tutorial: Build a digital book with EPUB
EPUB is an open specification for digital books, and EPUB files can be read on portable e-ink devices, mobile phones, and desktop computers. This tutorial explains the EPUB format in detail and moves step-by-step through automating EPUB creation using DocBook and Python.
Build a book>

Create a framework to support XSLT transformation pipelines
Simplify the use of XSLT in PHP, build a pipeline of stylesheets, and improve performance by caching. This article shows you how to build a simple framework for doing this.
Use the Butterfly Framework to process XSLT documents >



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