Specifying external dependencies to applications running on WebSphere Application Server Community Edition

Resolving The Problem

There are 3 ways by which external dependencies can be specified for applications.

• Specifying dependencies by adding to repository
• Use the Shared Library feature
• Specifying dependencies stored outside the application server directory by adding a GBean to deployment plan

1. Launch the Administrative Console.
   
   
2. Open the Add Archive to Repository wizard.
• Choose Common Libs under Services.
  
  
• Repository Viewer is displayed with Add Archive to Repository wizard.
  
  
3. Fill the form as shown in the screen shot below. Add the dependency using Install after filling the form.
   
   The example shows the steps to add sample.jar as a dependency.
   
   

Note: Change the Version field to add a different version of the same jar file.

4. On successful installation the newly added jar, car or rar will be displayed in Repository Viewer under Current Repository Entries.
   
   
5. Choose the newly added entry to view usage of dependency in an application or module.
   
   
6. Add a dependency element under dependencies in environment element in the deployment plan as shown below.
   
   

1. Copy zip or jar files to <Installation_Directory>/var/shared/lib
2. Add a dependency on artifact sharedlib in the deployment plan as follows.
   
   

<environment> ... <dependencies> ... <dependency> <artifactId>sharedlib</artifactId> </dependency> </dependencies> </environment>

• Consider a sample application which refers to two directories for dependencies C:\mylib1\myjarfile1.jar and C:\mylib2\myjarfile2.jar
  
  
• Add gbean in the deployment plan to specify the dependency as follows:
  
  

... <context-root>MyApp</context-root> <gbean name="SharedLib1" class="org.apache.geronimo.system.sharedlib.SharedLib"> <attribute name="libDirs">c:/mylib1,c:/mylib2</attribute> <reference name="ServerInfo"> <name>ServerInfo</name> </reference> </gbean> ... </web-app>

• Consider a sample application which refers to a property file for dependencies C:\myProperty\sample.properties
  
  
• Add gbean in the deployment plan to specify the dependency as follows:
  
  

... <context-root>MyApp</context-root> <gbean name="SharedLib1" class="org.apache.geronimo.system.sharedlib.SharedLib"> <attribute name="classesDirs">C:/myProperty</attribute> <reference name="ServerInfo"> <name>ServerInfo</name> </reference> </gbean> ... </web-app>