Creating a syndicator class

A syndicator plug-in is used to run extra functions on the syndicator when a syndication event is started.

About this task

To create a syndicator plug-in, you must create a syndicator class and then register the syndicator class by deploying it on the server.

Procedure

  1. Create a java class that implements the interface com.ibm.workplace.wcm.api.extensions.syndication.SyndicatorStarted. This class must implement the following methods:
    public ResultDirective onSyndicatorStarted(SyndicatorEvent eventInfo)
    • This method contains the code that is run when the syndication run starts.
    • This method is run after the plug-ins for the SubscriberReady extension point are run.
    • The extensions are run only when there are changes on the syndicator.
    • The extension is not run every time automatic syndication queues the syndicator.

    See the Javadoc documentation for further information. The Javadoc files for Web Content Manager are in the PortalServer_root/doc/Javadoc/spi_docs/com/ibm/workplace/wcm directory.

  2. Implement the onSyndicatorStarted method.
    • This method contains the code that is run on the syndicator when there are changes available for syndication to the subscriber.
    • This method must return a com.ibm.workplace.wcm.api.extensions.syndication.ResultDirective object to indicate whether the syndication engine can continue or stop the syndication process.
  3. A plugin.xml file is needed whether the deployment is done by using a WAR or EAR, or by using a loose jar. If deployed by using an application in a WAR or EAR, include the plugin.xml file in the application's WEB-INF folder. When you use a jar, include the plugin.xml in the root of the jar.
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<plugin id="com.ibm.workplace.wcm.sample.syndicatorstarted"
        name="Sample Syndicator Started Extension"
        version="1.0.0"
        provider-name="IBM">        
  <extension
     point="com.ibm.workplace.wcm.api.SyndicatorStarted"
     id="SyndicatorStartedExtension" >
     <provider class="com.ibm.workplace.wcm.sample.syndicatorstarted.SyndicatorStartedExtension"/>
  </extension> 
</plugin>

What to do next

  • The ID of each plug-in must be unique.
  • You must replace the plug-in ID specified in this example, com.ibm.workplace.wcm.sample.syndicatorstarted, with a different ID for each SyndicatorStarted extension you create.
  • Each SyndicatorStarted extension is represented by a single <extension></extension> tag.
  • The value of the point attribute must be com.ibm.workplace.wcm.api.SyndicatorStarted.
  • Provide an ID value of your choice.
  • Specify the provider class for your SyndicatorStarted extension.
Naming conventions:
If you create a new plug-in application with the same names and IDs as an existing plug-in, the new plug-in might override the first. When you create plug-in applications, ensure that the following are unique across your system:
  • The plug-in ID, plug-in name, and extension ID of the plugin.xml file.
  • The fully qualified class name plus path of all classes within the application.
  • The file path of any files within the application.