JSP Example Apps + Samples

Complementing the existing standard Java samples, a JSP application demo and sample is now available for download. The WAR file contains two applications; a Web2Lead replacement that demonstrates how to integrate sforce with a public Web sites, and a lead qualification example that demonstrates how to build Web apps that extend salesforce.com with new user interfaces and business logic. The sample, which runs on any Java app server that supports WAR files, includes a reusable framework that speeds and simplifies the creation of new Web-based sforce projects.

Perl email2x Sample

Integrating with email provides interesting integration opportunties; imagine the ability to cc a particular opportunity or account on an email thread, or allow people to email resumes to an address and have new records created for them (with the resume as an attachment) automatically. Fortunately, using sforce and Perl those types of integrations are pretty straightforward, and this new Perl sample demonstrates how to connect emails with most sforce data types, including custom objects.

sforce Combined Installer Preview

While Eclipse + Axis + Tomcat provide some of the best of what open source has to offer (especially Eclipse), getting all the moving parts installed and setup to use with sforce can be quite a chore. To make things a bit easier, I've put together a combined installer that - if working correctly - will download and install all the parts from a single file. The installer also includes the WSDL2Java plugin (for generating proxies from your WSDL), and a sample Java project that demonstrates the sforce API.

You can download the installer here. There as been little to no testing so 1) be warned and 2) let us know if you have any issues.

Online SOQL Tester Up & Running

One of the most essential items for any sforce developers’ tookit is a query tester – like the countless SQL query builders used by database developers everyday, a SOQL tester allows developers to navigate the data model, and build and test queries without the standard re-code/re-compile cycle. A quick perusal of the message board shows that a good chunk of the questions can be quickly resolved with the help of such a tool.

The good news is that there is now an online SOQL tester available at https://sandbox.sforce.com/soqltest/.

For some interesting implementation details, read on.

We’ve actually had the SOQL tester available in our back pocket for a while, but didn’t not want to deploy it until we had a SSL capable server to use, as asking for passwords in the clear is generally a Bad Idea. With the new sandbox environment, we have a place to deploy in the environment we need. Of course, this means setting up all the moving pieces, which is non-trivial to say the least.

There are a few moving parts in this enviroment’s mix; Apache 2.0, which is the front end web server, Tomcat 5.0.25, which is the app server, and mod_jk, which allows apache to front and tomcat, and transparently pipe requests to the app server. With a bit of patience and a few google searches, all of those components can be strung together without too much work.

The challenge comes in putting SSL in the mix. Getting apache setup with mod_ssl isn’t too bad, thanks to a some good HOW TOs available via google. In this configuration, apache is going to take the SSL requests, and then forward them via mod_jk to tomcat – this model allows all the sites/technologies (PHP, JSP, perl, etc) to share a common certificate, eliminating the need to install a separate cert on tomcat.

From a programmers point of view on the tomcat side, things can get interesting. For example, how does tomcat know what protocol to use in prefixing URLs (ie http or https?) Turns out that while the port information (443 for SSL) is based to tomcat appropriately, there is no way (that I could find) to the protocol programatically, forcing me to hard code the value based on the port number. This is of course bad form, and I’m sure there is a better way – any one have ideas?

STAPI Toolkit Now Available

As those of you who attended the supportforce.com launch got to see in person, the STAPI toookit helps create some pretty interesting sforce <-> CTI integrations. Once you can get the hang of TAPI, the rest should be fairly straightforward - creating screen pops, responding to call events and even enabling outbound dialing from Web Links.

You can see a screen demo and presentation about STAPI here, or download the toolkit from sforce.com.

If your company already has Cisco IP phones, let us know, as there is a separate pre-built Cisco / STAPI desktop agent that may be of interest.