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1 | =head1 NAME |
2 | |
3 | Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::Intro - Catalyst Tutorial - Part 1: Introduction |
4 | |
5 | |
6 | =head1 OVERVIEW |
7 | |
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8 | This is B<Part 1 of 10> for the Catalyst tutorial. |
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9 | |
10 | L<Tutorial Overview|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial> |
11 | |
12 | =over 4 |
13 | |
14 | =item 1 |
15 | |
16 | B<Introduction> |
17 | |
18 | =item 2 |
19 | |
20 | L<Catalyst Basics|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::CatalystBasics> |
21 | |
22 | =item 3 |
23 | |
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24 | L<More Catalyst Basics|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::MoreCatalystBasics> |
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25 | |
26 | =item 4 |
27 | |
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28 | L<Basic CRUD|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::BasicCRUD> |
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29 | |
30 | =item 5 |
31 | |
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32 | L<Authentication|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::Authentication> |
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33 | |
34 | =item 6 |
35 | |
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36 | L<Authorization|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::Authorization> |
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37 | |
38 | =item 7 |
39 | |
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40 | L<Debugging|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::Debugging> |
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41 | |
42 | =item 8 |
43 | |
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44 | L<Testing|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::Testing> |
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45 | |
46 | =item 9 |
47 | |
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48 | L<Advanced CRUD|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::AdvancedCRUD> |
49 | |
50 | =item 10 |
51 | |
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52 | L<Appendices|Catalyst::Manual::Tutorial::Appendices> |
53 | |
54 | =back |
55 | |
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56 | |
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57 | =head1 DESCRIPTION |
58 | |
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59 | This tutorial provides a multi-part introduction to the Catalyst web |
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60 | framework. It seeks to provide a rapid overview of many of its most |
61 | commonly used features. The focus is on the real-world best practices |
62 | required in the construction of nearly all Catalyst applications. |
63 | |
64 | Although the primary target of the tutorial is users new to the Catalyst |
65 | framework, experienced users may wish to review specific sections (for |
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66 | example, how to use DBIC for their model classes, how to add |
67 | authentication and authorization to an existing application, or form |
68 | management). |
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69 | |
70 | You can obtain the code for all the tutorial examples from the |
71 | catalyst subversion repository by issuing the command: |
72 | |
73 | svn co http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/repos/Catalyst/tags/examples/Tutorial/MyApp/5.7/ CatalystTutorial |
74 | |
75 | This will download the current code for each tutorial chapter in the |
76 | CatalystTutorial directory. Each example application directory has |
77 | the same name as the tutorial chapter. |
78 | |
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79 | B<These reference implementations are provided so that when you follow |
80 | the tutorial, you can use the code from the subversion repository to |
81 | ensure that your system is set up correctly, and that you have not |
82 | inadvertently made any typographic errors, or accidentally skipped |
83 | part of the tutorial.> |
84 | |
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85 | B<NOTE: You can use any Perl-supported OS and environment to run |
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86 | Catalyst.> It should make little or no difference to Catalyst's |
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87 | operation, B<but this tutorial has been written using Ubuntu 8.10> |
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88 | because that represents a quick and easy for most people to try out |
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89 | Catalyst with virtually zero setup time and hassles. Also, the tutorial |
90 | has been tested to work correctly with the versions of Catalyst and all |
91 | the supporting modules in Ubuntu 8.10 (see "VERSIONS AND CONVENTIONS |
92 | USED IN THIS TUTORIAL" below for the specific versions for some of the |
93 | key modules), so B<if you think you might be running into an issue |
94 | related to versions> (for example, a module changed its behavior in a |
95 | newer version or a bug was introduced), B<it might be worth giving |
96 | Ubuntu 8.10 a try>. See the "CATALYST INSTALLATION" section below for |
97 | more information. |
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98 | |
99 | If you're reading this manual online, you can download the example |
100 | program and all the necessary dependencies to your local machine by |
101 | installing the C<Task::Catalyst::Tutorial> distribution from CPAN: |
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102 | |
103 | cpan Task::Catalyst::Tutorial |
104 | |
105 | This will also test to make sure the dependencies are working. If you |
106 | have trouble installing these, please ask for help on the #catalyst |
107 | IRC channel, or the Catalyst mailing list. |
108 | |
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109 | Subjects covered by the tutorial include: |
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110 | |
111 | =over 4 |
112 | |
113 | =item * |
114 | |
115 | A simple application that lists and adds books. |
116 | |
117 | =item * |
118 | |
119 | The use of L<DBIx::Class|DBIx::Class> (DBIC) for the model. |
120 | |
121 | =item * |
122 | |
123 | How to write CRUD (Create, Read, Update, and Delete) operations in |
124 | Catalyst. |
125 | |
126 | =item * |
127 | |
128 | Authentication ("auth"). |
129 | |
130 | =item * |
131 | |
132 | Role-based authorization ("authz"). |
133 | |
134 | =item * |
135 | |
136 | Attempts to provide an example showing current (5.7XXX) Catalyst |
137 | practices. For example, the use of |
138 | L<Catalyst::Action::RenderView|Catalyst::Action::RenderView>, |
139 | DBIC, L<Catalyst::Plugin::ConfigLoader|Catalyst::Plugin::ConfigLoader> |
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140 | with C<myapp.conf>, the use of C<lib/MyApp/Controller/Root.pm> |
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141 | vs. C<lib/MyApp.pm>, etc. |
142 | |
143 | =item * |
144 | |
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145 | The use of Template Toolkit (TT). |
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146 | |
147 | =item * |
148 | |
149 | Useful techniques for troubleshooting and debugging Catalyst |
150 | applications. |
151 | |
152 | =item * |
153 | |
154 | The use of SQLite as a database (with code also provided for MySQL and |
155 | PostgreSQL). |
156 | |
157 | =item * |
158 | |
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159 | The use of L<HTML::FormFu|HTML::FormFu> for automated form processing |
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160 | and validation. |
161 | |
162 | =back |
163 | |
164 | This tutorial makes the learning process its main priority. For |
165 | example, the level of comments in the code found here would likely be |
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166 | considered excessive in a "normal project." Because of their contextual |
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167 | value, this tutorial will generally favor inline comments over a |
168 | separate discussion in the text. It also deliberately tries to |
169 | demonstrate multiple approaches to various features (in general, you |
170 | should try to be as consistent as possible with your own production |
171 | code). |
172 | |
173 | Furthermore, this tutorial tries to minimize the number of controllers, |
174 | models, TT templates, and database tables. Although this does result in |
175 | things being a bit contrived at times, the concepts should be applicable |
176 | to more complex environments. More complete and complicated example |
177 | applications can be found in the C<examples> area of the Catalyst |
178 | Subversion repository at |
179 | L<http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/repos/Catalyst/trunk/examples/>. |
180 | |
181 | B<Note:> There are a variety of other introductory materials available |
182 | through the Catalyst web site and at |
183 | L<http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/wiki/UserIntroductions> and |
184 | L<http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/>. |
185 | |
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186 | |
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187 | =head1 VERSIONS AND CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS TUTORIAL |
188 | |
189 | This tutorial was built using the following resources. Please note that |
190 | you may need to make adjustments for different environments and |
191 | versions: |
192 | |
193 | =over 4 |
194 | |
195 | =item * |
196 | |
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197 | Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) |
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198 | |
199 | =item * |
200 | |
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201 | Catalyst v5.7014 |
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202 | |
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203 | =item * |
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204 | |
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205 | Catalyst::Devel v1.07 |
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206 | |
207 | =item * |
208 | |
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209 | DBIx::Class v0.08010 |
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210 | |
211 | =item * |
212 | |
213 | Catalyst Plugins |
214 | |
215 | The plugins used in this tutorial all have sufficiently stable APIs that |
216 | you shouldn't need to worry about versions. However, there could be |
217 | cases where the tutorial is affected by what version of plugins you |
218 | use. This tutorial has been tested against the following set of plugins: |
219 | |
220 | =over 4 |
221 | |
222 | =item * |
223 | |
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224 | Catalyst::Plugin::Authentication -- v0.10006 |
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225 | |
226 | =item * |
227 | |
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228 | Catalyst::Plugin::Authorization::ACL -- v0.08 |
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229 | |
230 | =item * |
231 | |
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232 | Catalyst::Plugin::Authorization::Roles -- v0.05 |
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233 | |
234 | =item * |
235 | |
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236 | Catalyst::Plugin::ConfigLoader -- v0.20 |
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237 | |
238 | =item * |
239 | |
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240 | Catalyst::Plugin::Session -- v0.19 |
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241 | |
242 | =item * |
243 | |
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244 | Catalyst::Plugin::Session::State::Cookie -- v0.09 |
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245 | |
246 | =item * |
247 | |
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248 | Catalyst::Plugin::Session::Store::FastMmap -- v0.05 |
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249 | |
250 | =item * |
251 | |
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252 | Catalyst::Plugin::StackTrace -- v0.08 |
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253 | |
254 | =item * |
255 | |
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256 | Catalyst::Plugin::Static::Simple -- v0.20 |
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257 | |
258 | =back |
259 | |
260 | =item * |
261 | |
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262 | B<NOTE:> You can check the versions you have installed with the |
263 | following command: |
264 | |
265 | perl -ME<lt>mod_nameE<gt> -e '"print $E<lt>mod_nameE<gt>::VERSION\n"' |
266 | |
267 | For example: |
268 | perl -MCatalyst::Plugin::StackTrace -e 'print "$Catalyst::Plugin::StackTrace::VERSION\n"' |
269 | |
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270 | Since the web browser is being used on the same box where Perl and the |
271 | Catalyst development server is running, the URL of |
272 | C<http://localhost:3000> will be used (the Catalyst development server |
273 | defaults to port 3000). If you are running Perl on a different box than |
274 | where your web browser is located (or using a different port number via |
275 | the C<-p> I<port_number> option to the development server), then you |
276 | will need to update the URL you use accordingly. |
277 | |
278 | =item * |
279 | |
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280 | Depending on the web browser you are using, you might need to hit |
281 | C<Shift+Reload> or C<Ctrl+Reload> to pull a fresh page when testing |
282 | your application at various points (see |
283 | L<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bypass_your_cache> for a comprehensive |
284 | list of options for each browser). Also, the C<-k> keepalive option |
285 | to the development server can be necessary with some browsers |
286 | (especially Internet Explorer). |
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287 | |
288 | =back |
289 | |
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290 | |
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291 | =head1 CATALYST INSTALLATION |
292 | |
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293 | While the rough edges of Catalyst installation have been a problem in |
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294 | the past, this is now mostly solved. Nonetheless, installing Catalyst |
295 | can be a little time consuming. Although a compelling strength of |
296 | Catalyst is that it makes use of many of the modules in the vast |
297 | repository that is CPAN, this can complicate the installation process. |
298 | However, there are a growing number of methods that can dramatically |
299 | ease this undertaking. Of these, the following are likely to be |
300 | applicable to the largest number of potential new users: |
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301 | |
302 | =over 4 |
303 | |
304 | =item * |
305 | |
306 | Ubuntu |
307 | |
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308 | Given the popularity of Ubuntu and its ease of use, Ubuntu can be a |
309 | great way for newcomers to experiment with Catalyst. Because it is a |
310 | "live CD," you can simply boot from the CD, run a few commands, and you |
311 | should have a fully functional environment in which to do this tutorial |
312 | in a matter of minutes. B<The tutorial was fully tested to work under |
313 | Ubuntu 8.10. Although it SHOULD work under any Catalyst installation |
314 | method you might choose, it can be hard to guarantee this.> |
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315 | |
316 | =over 4 |
317 | |
318 | =item * |
319 | |
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320 | Download Ubuntu 8.10 (aka, Intrepid Ibex) Desktop edition and boot from |
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321 | the CD and/or image file, select your language, and then "Try Ubuntu |
322 | without any changes to your computer." |
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323 | |
324 | =item * |
325 | |
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326 | Open a terminal session (click "Applications" in the upper-left |
327 | corner, then "Accessories," then "Terminal"). |
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328 | |
329 | =item * |
330 | |
331 | Add the 'universe' repositories: |
332 | |
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333 | sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list |
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334 | |
335 | And remove the comments from the lines under the comments about the |
336 | 'universe' repositories. |
337 | |
338 | =item * |
339 | |
340 | Install Catalyst: |
341 | |
342 | sudo apt-get update |
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343 | sudo apt-get install libdbd-sqlite3-perl libcatalyst-perl libcatalyst-modules-perl libconfig-general-perl |
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344 | |
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345 | Accept all of the dependencies. Done. |
346 | |
347 | If you are running from the Live CD, you probably also want to free up |
348 | some disk space with the following: |
349 | |
350 | sudo apt-get clean |
351 | |
352 | NOTE: While the instructions above mention the Live CD because that |
353 | makes it easy for people new to Linux, you can obviously also use one |
354 | of the options to install Ubuntu on your drive. |
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355 | |
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356 | =back |
357 | |
358 | =item * |
359 | |
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360 | Matt Trout's C<cat-install> |
361 | |
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362 | Available at L<http://www.shadowcatsystems.co.uk/static/cat-install>, |
363 | C<cat-install> can be a fairly painless way to get Catalyst up and |
364 | running. Just download the script from the link above and type C<perl |
365 | cat-install>. Depending on the speed of your Internet connection and |
366 | your computer, it will probably take 30 to 60 minutes to install because |
367 | it downloads, makes, compiles, and tests every module. But this is an |
368 | excellent way to automate the installation of all the latest modules |
369 | used by Catalyst from CPAN. |
370 | |
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371 | |
372 | =item * |
373 | |
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374 | Other Possibilities |
375 | |
376 | =over 4 |
377 | |
378 | =item * |
379 | |
380 | OpenBSD Packages |
381 | |
382 | The 2008 Advent Day 4 entry has more information on using OpenBSD |
383 | packages to quickly build a system: |
384 | L<http://www.catalystframework.org/calendar/2008/4>. |
385 | |
386 | =item * |
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387 | |
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388 | NetBSD Package Collection on Solaris |
389 | |
390 | The 2008 Advent Day 15 entry has more information on using C<pkgsrc> and |
391 | NetBSD packages on Solaris: |
392 | L<http://www.catalystframework.org/calendar/2008/15|>. |
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393 | |
394 | =item * |
395 | |
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396 | CatInABox |
397 | |
398 | You can get more information at |
399 | L<http://www.catalystframework.org/calendar/2008/7> |
400 | or L<Perl::Dist::CatInABox|Perl::Dist::CatInABox>. |
401 | |
402 | |
403 | =item * |
404 | |
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405 | Pre-Built VMWare Images |
406 | |
407 | Under the VMWare community program, work is ongoing to develop a number |
408 | of VMWare images where an entire Catalyst development environment has |
409 | already been installed, complete with database engines and a full |
410 | complement of Catalyst plugins. |
411 | |
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412 | =item * |
413 | |
414 | Frank Speiser's Amazon EC2 Catalyst SDK |
415 | |
416 | There are currently two flavors of publicly available Amazon Machine |
417 | Images (AMI) that include all the elements you'd need to begin |
418 | developing in a fully functional Catalyst environment within minutes. |
419 | See L<Catalyst::Manual::Installation|Catalyst::Manual::Installation> |
420 | for more details. |
421 | |
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422 | =back |
423 | |
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424 | =back |
425 | |
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426 | For additional information and recommendations on Catalyst installation, |
427 | please refer to |
428 | L<Catalyst::Manual::Installation|Catalyst::Manual::Installation>. |
429 | |
430 | B<NOTE:> Step-by-step instructions to replicate the environment on |
431 | which this tutorial was developed can be found at |
432 | L<Catalyst::Manual::Installation::CentOS4|Catalyst::Manual::Installation::CentOS4>. |
433 | Using these instructions, you should be able to build a complete CentOS |
434 | 4.X server with Catalyst and all the plugins required to run this |
435 | tutorial. |
436 | |
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437 | |
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438 | =head1 DATABASES |
439 | |
440 | This tutorial will primarily focus on SQLite because of its simplicity |
441 | of installation and use; however, modifications in the script required |
442 | to support MySQL and PostgreSQL will be presented in Appendix 2. |
443 | |
444 | B<Note:> One of the advantages of the MVC design patterns is that |
445 | applications become much more database independent. As such, you will |
446 | notice that only the C<.sql> files used to initialize the database |
447 | change between database systems: the Catalyst code generally remains the |
448 | same. |
449 | |
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450 | |
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451 | =head1 WHERE TO GET WORKING CODE |
452 | |
453 | Each part of the tutorial has complete code available in the main |
454 | Catalyst Subversion repository (see the note at the beginning of each |
455 | part for the appropriate svn command to use). Additionally, the final |
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456 | code through Part 8 of the tutorial is available as a ready-to-run |
457 | tarball at |
458 | L<http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/repos/Catalyst/trunk/examples/Tutorial/Final_Tarball/MyApp_Part8.tgz>. |
459 | The final code for other parts of the tutorial are available at: |
460 | L<http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/repos/Catalyst/trunk/examples/Tutorial/Final_Tarballs_Per_Part/>. |
461 | |
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462 | |
463 | B<NOTE:> You can run the test cases for the final code with the following |
464 | commands: |
465 | |
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466 | wget http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/repos/Catalyst/trunk/examples/Tutorial/Final_Tarball/MyApp_Part8.tgz |
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467 | tar zxvf MyApp.tgz |
468 | cd MyApp |
469 | CATALYST_DEBUG=0 prove --lib lib t |
470 | |
471 | |
472 | =head1 AUTHOR |
473 | |
474 | Kennedy Clark, C<hkclark@gmail.com> |
475 | |
476 | Please report any errors, issues or suggestions to the author. The |
477 | most recent version of the Catalyst Tutorial can be found at |
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478 | L<http://dev.catalyst.perl.org/repos/Catalyst/Catalyst-Manual/5.70/trunk/lib/Catalyst/Manual/Tutorial/>. |
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479 | |
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480 | Copyright 2006-2008, Kennedy Clark, under Creative Commons License |
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481 | (L<http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/>). |