Specifying Application Module Components

Application components provide the Web application's functionality. For example, including an adapter dispatcher component automatically handles HTML form submissions and the return of dynamically generated images. Including a page dispatcher automatically displays the content of a page when the HTTP request pathinfo contains the name of the page.

For information on creating web server applications, see Creating Web Server Applications with WebSnap.

Selecting the Components button on the new WebSnap application dialog displays another dialog that allows you to select one or more of the Web application module components.

The following table contains a brief explanation of the available components:

Web application components

Component type	Description
Application Adapter	Contains information about the application, such as the title. The default type is TApplicationAdapter.
End User Adapter	Contains information about the user, such as their name, access rights, and whether they are logged in. The default type is TEndUserAdapter. TEndUserSessionAdapter may also be selected.
Page Dispatcher	Examines the HTTP request's pathinfo and calls the appropriate page module to return the content of a page. The default type is TPageDispatcher.
Adapter Dispatcher	Automatically handles HTML form submissions and requests for dynamic images by calling adapter action and field components. The default type is TAdapterDispatcher.
Dispatch Actions	Allows you to define a collection of action items to handle requests based on pathinfo and method type. Action items call user-defined events or request the content of page-producer components. The default type is TWebDispatcher.
Locate File Service	Provides control over the loading of template files, and script include files, when the Web application is running. The default type is TLocateFileService.
Sessions Service	Stores information about end users that is needed for a short period of time. For example, you can use sessions to keep track of logged-in users and to automatically log a user out after a period of inactivity. The default type is TSessionsService.
User List Service	Keeps track of authorized users, their passwords, and their access rights. The default type is TWebUserList.

For each of the above components, the component types listed are the default types shipped with the IDE. Users can create their own component types or use third-party component types.

For information about modifying application module components, see Selecting Web Application Module Options.