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Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software 9.0.x: new features and enhancements

Product Documentation


Abstract

This document provides an overview of new features and enhancments in IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software 9.0.

Content


Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software 9.0.1.3
Link Date Released Status
Download 9.0.1.3 Release

This release of Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software includes the following updates:

Eclipse Test & Performance Tools Platform (TPTP) 4.9.1.3

Java 7 SR10 FP25

IES 4.2.2 + Latest patches



Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software 9.0.1.1
Link Date Released Status

This release of Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software contains new features and enhancements in the following areas:




IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition updates

Beginning with version 9.0.1.1, IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition is updated to the following versions:

  • IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition for Windows, Version 7.0 Service Release 8 with an APAR fixed (IV66375)
  • IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition for Linux, Version 7.0 Service Release 8 with an APAR fixed (IV66375)


Other JDK support

The following JDK for OS X is supported beginning with version 9.0.1.1:

  • Oracle JDK for Mac OS X 7.0 Update 71


Eclipse IDE support

The following Eclipse IDE is supported beginning with version 9.0.1.1:

  • Eclipse 4.2.2.3


Eclipse platform updates
The following additional Eclipse 4.2.2.3 patches and fixes are included in this release:

Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software 9.0.1
Link Date Released Status

This release of Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software contains new features and enhancements in the following areas:



WebSphere Optimized Local Adapters support

Added support for using the WebSphere Optimized Local Adapters (WOLA). This new feature, when combined with existing WebSphere Adapters capabilities and J2C tooling, provides a simple way to integrate components on z/OS systems running in batch address spaces, Customer Information Control System (CICS) environments, and Information Management System (IMS) environments with those supported using WebSphere Adapters today (SAP, Oracle, PeopleSoft, Seibel, and so on). The resource adapter is a new installable feature, and must be installed from Installation Manager to enable the new function.




NIST SP800-131A compliance

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publications 800-131 standard strengthens algorithms and increases the key lengths to improve security. The NIST SP800-131 standard requires that users must be configured for strict enforcement of the standard by a specific timeframe. The security standard provides for a transition period to move to the new standard.The transition period allows for a mixed environment of settings that are not supported under the set standard along with those that are supported. See the list of components that are compliant with the requirements defined by the NIST Special Publications 800-131a.




Portal tools

Beginning with version 9.0.1, the following server support is added for development tools and remote server stub:
    • IBM WebSphere Portal Server 8.0 on IBM WebSphere Application Server 8.5



Performance and license usage optimization

Beginning with version 9.0.1, the following product functions are enhanced:

  • Improved startup time and time to work with a WebSphere Application Server Full Profile instance by 30-40 percent.
  • License usage is optimized in shell sharing scenarios and a product license is only required when a function in that product is explicitly invoked.





IBM product integration support

Beginning with version 9.0.1, the following product is supported for integration:

  • IBM Rational Common Licensing 8.1.4.1





IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition updates

Beginning with version 9.0.1, IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition is updated to the following versions:

  • IBM 32-bit IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition for Windows, Version 7.0 Service Release 5
  • IBM 32-bit IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition for Linux, Version 7.0 Service Release 5


Other JDK support

The following JDK for OS X is supported beginning with version 9.0.1:

  • Oracle JDK for Mac OS X 7.0 Update 40


Eclipse platform updates

The following additional Eclipse 4.2.2.1 patches and fixes are included in this release:


IBM Assembly and Deploy Tools support
IBM Assembly and Deploy Tools for WebSphere Administration is updated to 8.5.5.0 version



IBM Build Utility support
IBM Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software Build Utility is updated to 9.0.1.0 version



IBM Cloud Tools support
  • IBM Rational Desktop Connection Toolkit for IBM Cloud Environments is updated to 2.0.1.0 version
  • IBM WebSphere Portal 8.0 images are supported on IBM SmartCloud



IBM Code Coverage Tools Extension for Rational Team Concert Builds support
IBM Rational Application Developer Code Coverage Extension is updated to 9.0.1.0 version



IBM Rational Agent Controller support

IBM Rational Agent Controller is updated to 9.0.1.0 version





IBM Extension for Rational Team Concert with Jazz Team Server

IBM Rational Application Developer Extension for Rational Team Concert with Jazz Team Server is updated to 8.5.1.0





Updates to supported web browsers

Beginning with version 9.0.1.0, the following additional web browser versions are supported:
  • Mozilla Firefox 24 ESR (Extended Support Release)
  • Internet Explorer 10




Additional supported operating system versions

Beginning with version 9.0.1.0, the following additional operating system versions are supported:
  • Windows 8 Enterprise (64 bit)
  • Windows 8 Professional (64 bit)
  • Windows Server 2012 Enterprise (32 and 64 bit)
  • Windows Standard Edition (32 and 64 bit)



IBM WebSphere Application Server test environment updates

The following IBM WebSphere Application Server test environment updates are available:
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0 Test Environment Update v7.0.0.31.
IBM WebSphere Application Server 7.0 Test Environment Update v7.0.0.29.

Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software 9.0
Link Date Released Status

This release of Rational Application Developer contains new features and enhancements in the following areas:

Additional supported operating systems

Beginning with version 9.0, the following additional operating system is supported:

  • OS X 10.6, or later


Eclipse IDE support

Beginning with version 9.0, the following IDE is supported:

  • Eclipse 4.2.2


IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition updates

  • IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition is updated to the following versions:
  • IBM 32-bit IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition for Windows, Version 7.0 Service Release 4
  • IBM 32-bit IBM SDK for Java Technology Edition for Linux, Version 7.0 Service Release 4


Updated support and embedded test environments for WebSphere

Supports WebSphere Application Server V8.5.5 and V8.5 (including Liberty profile), V8.0, and V7.0.

Included are the following test environments:

  • WebSphere Application Server Test Environment V8.5.5
  • WebSphere Application Server Liberty Profile, Test Environment V8.5.5
  • WebSphere Application Server Test Environment V8.0.0.6
  • WebSphere Application Server Test Environment V7.0.0.29
  • WebSphere Portal Server V8.0


IWD Tools

You can import archives from IBM Workload Deployers as utility JAR files.

The Import, Acquire, and Reacquire wizards support importing EJBs or utility JAR files as a project or a binary file.


CDI tools


  • Validation for non-annotated Managed Beans - additional as-you-type validations when editing CDI annotations in the Java editor.
  • A deployment descriptor editor for beans.xml with in-editor validations.




Maven Tools
  • Maven preferences settings page is redesigned for better usability and setting up workspace environment for Maven development
  • Support for WebSphere Application Server 8.5.5 and Liberty 8.5.5 targeting of Maven projects and runtime libraries and dependencies set up in the Maven repository.
  • Improvement for Maven project conversion.


WebSphere Tools
  • Editor for configuring the for WebSphere Application Server Dynacache caching mechanism of servlets, JSPs, web services, and commands using the cachespec.xml config file.




Maven and OSGi
  • Support for conversion of Maven and OSGi Projects: you can enable Maven support in OSGi bundles, and you can enable OSGi in an existing Maven project.
  • Added support for "pom.xml-first approach" in which the OSGi bundle Manifest file is derived from the information in the Maven pom.xml file.
  • Use the Maven builder and the Maven classpath container for the OSGi Maven projects. 
  • OSGi Maven projects can be added to OSGi applications and deployed to WebSphere and Liberty servers.


  • Declare, add, and use Maven project archetypes in IBM's Maven repository.




  • Based on existing Liberty runtime targeted projects, populate the pom.xml file with required library JAR file information
  • Expanded support for Maven/OSGi projects with EJB and JPA content.



Migration tools

Simplified and streamlined the workspace migration wizard. Wizard pages are reduced from four to two.






Liberty Tools
  • Added the ability to install a Liberty runtime target for development by drag and drop method:
    You can drag a copy of Liberty Profile distribution image and drop it to the Runtime Explorer view.  The Runtime environment creation wizard is then launched and ready to create a runtime environment for you.
  • Enhanced incremental publishing of OSGi applications:
    OSGi applications are published more efficiently.  After a published application changes, only the affected bundles, or fragments are republished to the server instead of the entire application.
  • Added ability to easily create and validate bootstrap.properties, server.env, and jvm.options files:
    You can create bootstrap.properties, server.env, and jvm.options files easily by right-clicking a server in the Servers view, selecting New >Server Environment File, and then selecting the file that you want to create. The files are validated for correctness.
  • Support for targeting and installing Liberty features:
    You can now easily install and update your own Liberty Features without leaving the workbench. Once you have created your Liberty Feature you can install or update it in multiple ways:
      • You can install it from the Project Explorer and Enterprise Explorer views using the "Install Feature..." option within the Liberty Feature's context menu:and select the Liberty runtime environment that you would like to install the feature into.
      • Another way to install your Liberty Feature is to drag and drop the feature from your Project Explorer or Enterprise Explorer view onto the Liberty Runtime of your choice within the Runtime Explorer view.
        You can update the feature using the context menu or by dragging and dropping the feature again.
  • You can now choose to install only the WebSphere Application Server Liberty Profile runtime environment core if you want a smaller installation footprint. You can add extended features if you need more features.


  • Minify runtime packaging - added a new "minify" server packaging option to minimize further the final package footprint and to allow users to share the server easily.


  • When publishing an application to the server from the workbench, the specific type of application element that matches the type of the application is added the server configuration.  For example, <webApplication id="MyWeb" location="MyWeb.war" name="MyWeb"/>.  The new application element names are webApplication, enterpriseApplication and osgiApplication.
  • Simplified password settings dialog in the server configuration editor to improve usability.  A new hash password encryption method has been added for applicable element on the server configuration:


  • Added ability to create collective controller on the server and also create a collective member and join a collective.


  • Repository support - added the ability to add additional content to a runtime,such as product extensions, samples and packaged servers.
  • You can now install extended content to a runtime from the remote repository from wasdev.net or a local location on the file system.
  • Post-install support for extended content - in the runtime explorer view, you can right click on an existing runtime and use the context menu to install additional content. If you have already downloaded the content from wasdev.net, you can simply drag that content and drop it to the runtime in the runtime explorer view.


  • Detection of usage of superseded features and provided quick fix for replacing superseded features on the server configuration editor.



SCA
  • Added ability to Import OASIS SCA archives from the file system



  • Simplified configuration of EJB bindings for OASIS SCA: Graphical Interface to configure EJB bindings with Local interfaces



  • New to SCA 1.1:  Identify the cases when an SCA 1.1 composite references artifacts external to the SCA 1.1 project to give the user the option to add a project reference or Java reference to ensure proper compilation, export and deployment. (This ability is already supported on SCA 1.0 projects)
  • Handy menu action to test SCA services configured with Web Service binding using the Generic Service Client.



Health Center Integration for Profiling
  • New sample-based profiling capabilities are available through the Health Center agent.






  • You can delete Health Center agent in Profiling view after it has been terminated.
  • You can filter the profiling data that is displayed.


Code Coverage
  • You can now delete launches from the Code Coverage Launch History view.
  • You can uses filtering when enabling code coverage from the command line or an Ant script.
  • The Code Coverage launch history preference can set a higher limit for before deleting launches. You can also choose to not delete launches.

     


Web and Mobile Tools
  • JavaScript content assist now includes the API for jQuery Mobile.
  • Quickly and easily create user interfaces for mobile web applications using the Mobile UI Pattern gallery.  This gallery is launched from the "New" button in the Mobile Navigation View, and provides a wide selection of common UI design patterns to choose from.  Patterns are implemented in both Dojo and jQuery, and provide a variety of options to customize how your UI will be generated:



  • The following functions are removed:
    • Specialized tools for iWidget development are removed.  These include a specific iWidget project type and wizard, a specialized editor for the iWidget XML specification, and a browser-based test client.  iWidgets can still be developed in Rational Application Developer using standard Web and XML source editors.  Specialized iWidget development tools are available as part of Lotus Widget Factory which is included with Lotus Mashup Center. iWidget samples and tutorials have also been removed.
    • "CEA Widgets" facet which configures a web project with CEA Dojo Widgets implementation resources,
    • Palette drawer containing the CEA Dojo Widgets. Existing applications using the CEA Dojo widgets will continue to work within Rational Application Developer.  CEA samples and help have also been removed. 

    • Although CEA tooling has been removed, you can still develop web applications that use CEA widgets using the standard Web Tools tooling.  Use the Web Project wizard to create a standard web projects..  Then, manually copy in CEA from the WebSphere Server containing the CEA Widgets.  You can continue to create/edit web pages using the Web Page Wizard and Rich Page Editor.  This removal does not prevent you from developing CEA applications.
    • "JDBC Mediator" facet which configures a dynamic web project with Java libraries for the SDO-based JDBC Mediator
    • Palette items "SDO Relational Record" and "SDO Relational Record List" in the "Data and Services" drawer
    • "SDO Relational Records" category in the Page Data view.  Applications written using the SDO Mediator runtime provided by WebSphere will continue to function and can still be developed and maintained using source code editors in Rational Application Developer.
    • The ability to start an Eclipse debug session and connect to the Firebug JavaScript debugger,
    • Vewing the JavaScript debug stack, controlling breakpoints and stepping through JavaScript code from within Eclipse.  Users may continue to develop web applications using Rational Application Developer and debug them directly using Firebug in Firefox or other JavaScript debuggers.
    • Struts Cheat sheet was removed for the Rational Application Developer cheat sheets selection.
    • Web Site Navigation facet was removed from Rational Application Developer.  By not supporting this facet, also, Web Site Navigation icon won't be visible from the Project Explorer view (e.g. if facet is installed in an imported project from older RAD versions) and so then, "Site" category in the palette view is not reachable any more.
  • The following wizards have been deprecated in preparation for removal in a future release:
    • HTTP Import
    • FTP Import
    • FTP Export
  • JWL tooling continues to be deprecated in preparation for removal in a future release.


Web Services
  • Support creating Bottom-up JAX-WS Web services targeting Liberty.
  • Support creating Top-down JAX-WS Web services targeting Liberty.
  • Support creating JAX-WS Clients targeting Liberty.
  • Support for configuring WS-Security Username Token Profile 1.1.
  • Support creating EJB JAX-WS Web services targeting Liberty.
  • Added new deployment descriptor editor for editing custom binding files for Liberty.
  • Added more templates to support X.509 token profile.


Build Utilities
  • Ability to import a set of projects from a single directory into a "headless" workspace.
  • Introduced an Ant task with the ability to create a Rational Team Concert repository connection.
  • Introduced support for Rational Build Utility to build (compile) against a WebSphere Portal v7/v8 runtime and ability to use Server Ant tasks in the context of a WebSphere Portal server.


Portal Toolkit
  • jQuery Tooling support for Portlet Projects.
  • Support for creation of jQuery based Portlet projects is enabled through portlet project wizard to allow easy usage of jQuery APIs using the content assist option, drag and drop of jQuery mobile widgets from palette and visualization of jQuery Mobile widgets in Rich Page Editor. Auto-generated initialization files and javascript code would allow use of portlet variables in a portlet jsp of jQuery enabled portlets.



Java EE Connector (J2C) Tools
  • CICS V9.0.0.0 resource adapter.
  • IMS 12.1.2 resource adapter.
  • WebSphere Adapters 7.5.0.5.


Rational Agent Controller

Rational Agent Controller v9.0 supports remote profiling and code coverage on the following platforms:
  • Windows (32 and 64 bits)
  • Linux (32 and 64 bits)
  • AIX (32 and 64 bits)
  • z/OS (31 and 64 bits)
  • Linux for System Z (31 and 64 bits)
  • Solaris SPARC (32 and 64 bits)
  • Solaris x86 (32 and 64 bits)


Eclipse platform updates

The following additional Eclipse 4.2.2 patches and fixes are included in this release:

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Document Information

Modified date:
21 June 2018

UID

swg27038836