z2-Environment

h1. z2-Environment

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The z2-Environment is an open source infrastructure to develop, configure, and run modular, standards-based Java applications without build infrastructure nor deployment procedures and so reduces development operations costs significantly. 

During development and maintenance you do not need to have a local build environment installed that complements your source code.

The z2-Environment rebuilds Java sources as required and selectively from your development workspace leading to fast development roundtrips and consistent deployments, and ultimately to minimized integration pains.

The Z2 component model makes developing modular Java solutions easy, comprehensible, and manageable. 

Z2 shines when used to develop, run, and maintain non-trivial solutions and in particular in conjunction with Hadoop and HBase.

An an application server environment, Z2 integrates perfectly with Spring, Hibernate/JPA, Vaadin, and much more. Please check out the how-Tos below.

This Wiki contains answers to all kinds of practical questions on using Z2. 

h2. Current activities

Currently we are considering how to evolve for version 3 - that might turn out to be a significant step. Check it out at "3.0":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/versions/27

h2. Looking for the repositories? 

* Go to the sub-project's repositories for the most frequently updated Git repositories: "z2_core":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/projects/z2-core/repository, "z2_base":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/projects/z2-base/repository, "z2_samples":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/projects/z2-samples/repository, "z2_addons":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/projects/z2-addons/repository

* Go to the main project's for the not-so-frequently updated Subversion mirror "here":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/projects/z2-environment/repository. Please also note the SVN related getting-started notes and how-tos.

*Note:* The information provided in this Wiki is to the best of our knowledge and we cannot provide any warranty on accuracy or applicability to your specific use cases.

h2. Versions

The latest release is "Version 2.3":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/versions/15.

* "3.0":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/versions/27 (Major Release. Planned)

* "2.3":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/versions/15 ("Javadoc":http://www.z2-environment.net/javadoc, "Reference":http://www.z2-environment.eu/v23doc)

Previous versions:

* "2.2":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/versions/5 ("Reference":http://www.z2-environment.eu/v22doc)

* "2.1":https://redmine.z2-environment.net/versions/4 ("Reference":http://www.z2-environment.eu/v21doc)

h2. Getting started

If you want to get a real quick understanding of what Z2 is and how to give it a try start here:

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If that is all too tedious for you - how about firing up some [[Wiki#Samples|sample]]?

Also check out these:

* Book-style, in-depth documentation: "v2.3 documentation":http://www.z2-environment.eu/v23doc

* The latest "Javadoc":http://www.z2-environment.net/javadoc

* The z2-Environment home page: "Welcome":http://www.z2-environment.eu

* Some references: "Powered by":http://www.z2-environment.eu/powered_by_z2

* The ZFabrik Software KG home page: "Welcome":http://www.zfabrik.de

* A blog on Z2 and related topics: "Henning's blog":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog

And don't miss these:

* Public repositories on z2-environment.net: [[Repositories]] 

h2. Projects

This site is split into sub projects:

* project:z2-base: The base components of z2.

* project:z2-core: The z2 kernel included with z2 base with sources

* project:z2-addons: Add-ons that complement z2-base with additional features

* project:z2-samples: Home of the samples listed below.

And then there is...

h2. Samples

There are various samples available that highlight specific use-cases and may serve as a solution template, when you just cannot get it to work or do not know where to start.

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h2. Howtos

Howtos provide practical information on various aspects that you may run into when looking deeper.

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h2. Add-ons

The z2 base distribution is really just the most basic but still practically useful set of z2 modules. Addon repositories provide additional modules that add complete feature sets. Addons are versioned along with z2 base and may be included by simply adding component repositories. 

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When productising your solution, you will want to isolate yourself from intermediate changes outside of your control. See also [[How to create your own system]] for more information how Z2 accomplishes that with pure version control tool use.

h2. Drafts and discussions on current work items.

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h2(#blogs). Blogs on Z2

Some selected blog entries from "z the world":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/ :

* "Dependency Management for Modular Applications":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2014/03/dependency-management-for-modular-applications/

* "User-friendly production updates":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2014/02/user-friendly-production-updates/

* "Extension patterns":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/11/extend-me-maybe/

* "The principles behind z2unit":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/10/in-system-testing-re-invented/

* "Essay on modularization":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/09/modularization-is-more-than-cutting-it-into-pieces/

* "Scoping JPA":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/06/scoping-jpa/

* "Adventures in Groovy":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/04/adventures-in-groovy/

* "Minimally Invasive Repairs with Z2":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/02/minimal-invasive-repairs-with-z2/

* "Z2 Deployment Potpourri":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2013/01/z2-deployment-potpourri/

* "A cloud deployment recipe":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2012/11/a-cloud-deployment-recipe/

* "Modular Vaadin over Spring and JPA":http://www.z2-environment.net/blog/2012/10/modular-vaadin-over-spring-and-jpa/

And finally:

h2. Support & Getting help

For getting help please refer to the [[FAQ]]. Discussions about z2-environment can be found in the "z2-environment forums":/projects/z2-environment/boards. 

Before submitting a bug report, a patch or a feature request here, please read the [[Submission guidelines]].

Need support? Having problems with this site? Contact us at *contact (at) zfabrik.de*

h2. Supplemental

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h2. License

The z2-Environment by ZFabrik Software KG is available as open source software under the terms of the

Apache License, Version 2.0.

See here for more information on what that implies: http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html

Other work contained or made available may be subject to other license restrictions. 

h2. Legal

This site is hosted and maintained by ZFabrik Software KG.

Go "here for Contact, Legal, Impressum":http://www.zfabrik.de/z/impressum

Contact us at *contact (at) zfabrik.de*