The document outlines a structured approach to design and deploy applications on Alfresco versions 3.2 to 3.4 using the MDA strategy, emphasizing model-driven generation and deployment techniques. It details various Alfresco extension modules that enhance functionality, including support for content type extensions, data generation, and external integrations. Additionally, the document discusses the benefits of the MDA approach over traditional methods, particularly in terms of sustainability and responsiveness to framework changes.

1. Design once with SIDE then deploy on
Alfresco 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4
Migrate from Alfresco 2.x to Alfresco
3.x with SIDE
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SIDE – Outils de configuration pour www.side-labs.com
Alfresco 1

2. SIDE For Alfresco
1) MDA Approach
Modelling →Generation →Deployment on multi fwks
2) MDA Gains vs classic approach
3) Demo of Reverse mechanisms from Alfresco
artefacts
Alfresco 2.x or 3.x Models → SIDE Models → Update →
Generation on Alfresco 3.y
4) Demo of MDA Process for Alfresco
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3. Sustainability Driven Architecture
 MDA Approach
Production of Models
Separation between Functional Apps & Implementation
[Hype Cycle for Emerging
Technologies, Gartner 2006]
 Benefits
Durability of Models
Balance between Design & Development
Responsiveness to new Frameworks and to their new releases
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4. MDA/MDE – SIDE Approach
 Approach orientated
Crossed Function
 Specialized Web Frameworks – Chiba/Forms, jBPM/Workflows
 Development of Specific Meta Models
6 crossed Functions adressed
 Requirements, Data, Forms, Views, Portals, Workflows
 Benefits SIDE : the sustainability
Better Interaction of Transverse Functions
Optimization of Development Processes
Support & Integration on Alfresco
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5. Work Measure of Classic/SIDE Approach
Applications
Integration
Deployment
Config Config
& Code & Code
Development Generation
Spec. Model
Work Measure
Classic Approach SIDE MDA Approach
customer's requirements
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6. Evolution Work Measure: Classic
Application Application
Fwk 1.1, ..., 1.n Fwk 2.1, ..., 2.n
Integration
Config Config
& Code & Code
Development
Spec.
Work Measure
Classic Approach
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7. Evolution Work Measure: SIDE
Application Application
Fwk 1.1, ..., 1.n Fwk 2.1, ..., 2.n
Deployment
Config Config
& Code & Code
Generation
Model
Work Measure
SIDE MDA Approach
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8. SIDE Alfresco extension Modules
Under 'Generation path'/alfresco_3.x, you get the following amp files:
Without checking any option:
- customAssociationManagementEnterprise-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server
module which extends the capabilities of Alfresco by the support of associations
navigation in both ways and the cascading delete for composite associations.
- modelEnterprise-x.x.xx .amp: this module is an Alfresco Configuration Extension
which allows to define a default content type 'bxcontent' : all the content type
extension related to Alfresco content are based on this content type. In particular,
this allows to apply policies or rules limited to the content modeled through SIDE.
- module.SIDE_ModelExtension_myContentType_Model.amp: this module is an
Alfresco Configuration Extension which contains the content type extension
related to the 'myContentType' data model.
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9. SIDE Alfresco extension Modules
With the 'Alfresco Common webscripts' option:
xformsEnterprise-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which extends the capabilities of
Alfresco by providing a REST API to handle content type extensions that an external program may call
through post http call of the form <your alfresco hostname>:<your alfresco hostname>:/
alfresco/service/xforms/<service name>.
The API provides :
auth : authenticate a user,
batch : perform a set of CRUD operations against the repository,
delete : delete a content from the repository,
enum : list items of a dynamic enumeration,
help : show an help on these webscripts,
labels : get a translation for a dynamic enumeration litteral,
list : list all objects of a given type,
mkdir : create a path in Alfresco,
nodeinfo : provides information about one or several nodes,
read : read an object of any type from the repository,
service : call functions of chosen services from the Alfresco's API,
upload : upload a file to the repository
workflow : call functions of the Alfresco API WorkflowService interface
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10. SIDE Alfresco extension Modules
With the 'Alfresco FacetMap Extension' option:
webscriptExtension-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which extends the
capabilities of Alfresco by providing webscripts which encapsulate the CMIS interface in
order to call it using user authentication ticket.
CmisFacetMap-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which extends the capabilities of
Alfresco by providing webscripts which allows to authenticate and to query the CMIS
interface.
This modules are for instance used by the Facetmap web application to display content type
instances using facet navigation.
With the 'Alfresco Share Extension' option:
uploadEnterprise-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which extends the capabilities
of Alfresco Share by providing webscripts which allows to set the content type of a file
before uploading it.
language-picker-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a dashlet to select language.
document-library-sort-x.x.xx.amp : this module is an extension to the document library to
manage sorting of the lists based on metadata
group-management-x.x.xx.amp : this module is an extension to allow a site manager to
create user groups limited to the current site; he can then add users to invite them to join
the sites through the group or declare a dynamic expression to invite all the users who
checks the expression based on user's metadata. 10

11. SIDE Alfresco extension Modules
With the 'Alfresco Random Data Generator' option:
dataGeneratorEnterprise-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which
provides a webscript to load test data in the Alfresco repository according to the
data models. In order to load the test data, call the webscript http://
<your_host>:<your_port>/alfresco/service/data/form/fillparameters and fill the
parameters.
With the 'Alfresco Report Webscripts' option:
This option will allow to extend the generated
'module.SIDE_ModelExtension_myContentType_Model.amp' Alfresco
Configuration Extension with a set of webscripts to audit the generated content
types in Alfresco regarding the number of associated documents for instance.
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12. SIDE Alfresco extension Modules
With the 'Alfresco SQL' option:
sqlEnterprise-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which extends the
capabilities of Alfresco by providing the synchronization of alfresco referential data
in a relational database. This mechanism uses a transactional pol and allow to
have all the content metadata requestable through SQL in a this replicated
relational database.
With the 'Content Uniqueness' option:
unicityEnterprise-x.x.xx.amp : this module is a server module which extends the
capabilities of Alfresco by providing unicity control based on metadata attributes
for a content type. By default, Alfresco does not support unicity: this module gets
the unicity information from the alfresco module and control defined unicity rule
each time a new content is added.
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13. SIDE Alfresco extension Modules
With the 'Java Webservice Business API' option:
eclipseProject.SIDE_ModelExtension_myContentType_Model.WebServicesAPI.
zip : this module is an Eclipse Java project which provides a web service API to
manage (create, delete, update, search, add aspect, …) content types defined in
model.
Client application of Alfresco may use this business API without having to deal
with the generic Alfresco web service API.
This module comes with a Junit-based test framework of all the business methods.
With the 'Java Business API' option:
eclipseProject.SIDE_ModelExtension_myContentType_Model.API.zip : this
module is an Eclipse Java project which provides a business API to manage
(create, delete, update, search, add aspect, …) content types defined in model.
This API is based on the Java direct API of Alfresco and is dedicated to alfresco
extensions which runs in the same application server container than alfresco:
Typically, this API may be used to defined actions in workflow as workflow runs in
the context of the alfresco server.
This module comes with a Junit-based test framework of all the business methods.
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14. Design once with SIDE then deploy on
Alfresco 3.2, 3.3 or 3.4
Regis Baudu
rbaudu@bluexml.com
+33 (2) 40466278
www.bluexml.com
SIDE – Outils de configuration pour www.side-labs.com
Alfresco 14