Packaging for the GAS

To deploy an application to the Genero Application Server (GAS), you must create a Genero archive file (.gar).

Creating a package for the GAS follows the general packaging procedure. For a GAS package, you must plan for:

  • The application configuration file
  • Package node properties
  • The MANIFEST

When you build the package, a Genero archive (.gar) file is created. It is saved to the Distribution directory specified in the Package node. The file name is taken from the package node name. The default distribution directory is $(ProjectDir)/distbin.

Application configuration file

An application configuration file (.xcf) provides the details for launching an application or Web service on the GAS. If a suitable .xcf file does not exist, create it using File > New... > Web / AS > Application Configuration (.xcf) and add the necessary environment variables and resources.

See the Genero Application Server User Guide for specifics about application configuration files.

Package node properties

Before you build the package, you must enter values for the ID and Label properties of the package node. You can enter any values for these properties; they are not used by the GAR.

Specify a custom GBC client

To specify a custom GBC client in your package:

  1. Create a new directory in your GAR package.
  2. Set the Source Directory property to the directory of the compiled (unzipped) customization.
    Tip:

    The source directory is typically in the dist/customization directory of the GBC project directory.

  3. Set the Destination Directory property to $ROOTDIR/gbc.

See the Genero Application Server User Guide for specifics about specifying the GBC client for an application.

MANIFEST

When you build the package, a MANIFEST is generated if one does not already exist. This default MANIFEST lists the .xcf files in the package; the .xcf files with a parent of "ws.*" are listed as services, and all other .xcf files are listed as applications.

This default MANIFEST is sufficient for most purposes. However, you might want to create a custom MANIFEST, for example, if you have many applications to package. To create a custom MANIFEST, select File > New > Web / AS > Genero Archive MANIFEST.

See the Genero Application Server User Guide for specifics about MANIFEST files.