Preface

The WebNFS Developer's Guide provides an overview of the WebNFS^TM Software Developer's Kit (SDK), a set of Java^TM-based Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that allow programmers to

• Connect to NFS v.2 or v.3 servers using TCP or UDP, and to make use of NFS URLs to access remote filesystems;

• make use of an API that mimics the java.file.io.* classes, providing remote file access for multiple filesystem types;

• use a Java Bean^TM UI component that allows users to select remote files.

Who Should Use This Book

This book is intended for Java-savvy programmers who want to write networking applications that can access files on different types of remote systems.

Before You Read This Book

You should be familiar with the basics of Java programming. Experience with NFS is helpful. Knowledge of transport protocols such as UDP or TCP is helpful but not necessary.

How This Book Is Organized

Chapter 1, Introduction to the WebNFS Software Development Kit is an overview of the WebNFS SDK.

Chapter 2, Extended Filesystem API describes the Extended Filesystem (XFile) API.

Chapter 3, NFS Classes for the Extended Filesystem is an overview of the WebNFS classes used by the XFile API.

Chapter 4, The XFileAccessor Interface Class and Methods is an overview of the methods of the XFileAccessor interface, which allows the programmer to write filesystem-type-specific accessors.

Chapter 5, XFileChooser describes the XFileChooser Bean and gives examples of how to use it in applications.

Appendix A, Frequently Asked Questions gives several of the most-frequently asked questions about WebNFS, and their answers.

Appendix B, Simple XFile Sample Programs gives some short, simple examples of using the XFile API.

Appendix C, The DemoEditor Sample Program is the code for a sample program for a simple editor that makes use of the XFileChooser Bean.

Appendix D, The XFileChooser Sample Program is the code for a demo program that makes use of most of the features of the XFileChooser Bean. The chapter includes auxilliary programs.

Related Books

The following books are not prerequisites for this book but may provide useful background.

• NFS Administration Guide

• ONC+ Developer's Guide

Ordering Sun Documents

Fatbrain.com, an Internet professional bookstore, stocks select product documentation from Sun Microsystems, Inc.

For a list of documents and how to order them, visit the Sun Documentation Center on Fatbrain.com at http://www1.fatbrain.com/documentation/sun.

Accessing Sun Documentation Online

The docs.sun.com^SM Web site enables you to access Sun technical documentation online. You can browse the docs.sun.com archive or search for a specific book title or subject. The URL is http://docs.sun.com.

What Typographic Conventions Mean

The following table describes the typographic changes used in this book.

Table P-1 Typographic Conventions

Typeface or Symbol	Meaning	Example
AaBbCc123	The names of commands, files, and directories; on-screen computer output	Edit your .login file. Use ls -a to list all files. machine_name% you have mail.
AaBbCc123	What you type, contrasted with on-screen computer output	machine_name% su Password:
AaBbCc123	Command-line placeholder: replace with a real name or value	To delete a file, type rm filename.
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new words, or terms, or words to be emphasized.	Read Chapter 6 in User's Guide. These are called class options. You must be root to do this.

Shell Prompts in Command Examples

The following table shows the default system prompt and superuser prompt for the C shell, Bourne shell, and Korn shell.

Table P-2 Shell Prompts

Shell	Prompt
C shell prompt	machine_name%
C shell superuser prompt	machine_name#
Bourne shell and Korn shell prompt	$
Bourne shell and Korn shell superuser prompt	#