Apache Tapestry is an open source Java framework that combines the best features of two worlds: the heavy-duty performance and scalability of Java (not to mention its enterprise acceptance) with the productivity advantages of scripting languages such as Ruby.

Java has emerged as the language for enterprise-class development: it has the widest adoption, the largest class libraries, the best performance, and greatest degree of enterprise acceptance ... and yet, traditional web development is a painful, unproductive slog: large amounts of configuration combined with constant recompiles and redeployments.

Python and Ruby can be vastly more productive than Java but can't match Java in terms of performance and scalability, or acceptance in the enterprise.

Tapestry bridges the gap between these two worlds. It embraces convention over configuration on many levels. It enhances productivity with live class reloading (changes to classes are picked up without a redeploy or restart) and best-of-breed exception reporting. Tapestry classes and templates are small, simple and immediately understandable. Tapestry applications are fast, efficient and highly scalable. Tapestry lets you work in terms of your objects and your methods: you can build entire applications and never think about a URL or a query parameter. Things just work!

Tapestry is a component framework; we'll see how the built-in components provide broad functionality and yet are extremely extensible. Many of the components have built-in Ajax functionality, and building your own components is a snap.

This session will feature live demonstrations and even a bit of live coding. We'll demonstrate how Tapestry keeps you happy and productive like a Ruby or Python coder but still delivers the results your boss and your customers need.

Basic understanding of Java, HTML and XML

Java web developers