8 Replies Latest reply on May 17, 2008 8:19 AM by c_inconnu

    Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces

    c_inconnu

      Hi,
      I have been assigned to a new project and I must chose very quickly between Icefaces and Richfaces. I have done some digging and I now have some clues, but I like to have some advices since I know Richfaces but not Icefaces. I have posted a similar question to IF forum...

      My requirements are:
      # Liferay 4.4 portal
      # JBoss AS 4.2
      # Seam 2.0
      # a complex Ajax application
      # 5000 connected users

      Here is what I have understood (I may be completely wrong...):
      # IF is bundled with liferay, RF is not and maybe is not working at all
      # IC has a text editor, RF has not
      # IC has not a table with columns that can be re-ordered, RF has it
      # IC does make a server roundtrip for all actions even ones like popup a calendar, RF is not
      # IC cannot be used with other lis such as myfaces, tomahawk..., RF can

      A more general question: what is the big difference between IC and RF at the framework level? I understood it is direct-to-dom???

      Thanks for your help
      David

      IF post: http://www.icefaces.org/JForum/posts/list/8347.page

        • 1. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
          fabmars

          Salut

          I'm just a user here, i'm not linked with RichFaces or Jboss in any way.
          A few days ago someone else asked the same question, and since I used bth frameworks, I could give my view over that subject.

          http://jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&t=134783

          After reading I hope you undertsand you can do approx the same with both frameworks. So if you have a limitor factor here (Liferay), my advice is test RichFaces with it before going further. Maybe it will give you the answer right away. Anyway both frameworks are excellent.

          Apart from that, RF lacks a text editor that's true but I could make one myself based on fckedtor in a few hours. If you want the code, ask for it. Another similar editor is even on sourceforge.

          And to answer your question, at the framework level, both frameworks are VERY close, since they both rely on JSF. The main difference when programming is you have to add ajax support yourself to the components, and you have to define precisely what to submit, and what to refresh in RichFaces whereas IceFaces is all ajaxed by default. In that case, no wonder IceFaces makes a roundtrip but that's the cost to pay to have your model and your view always in synch without even thinking about it. RichFaces has a diferent approach, more granular. Both have their pros & cons. Personally I tend to prefer IceFaces approach at first sight but I trust more RichFaces team when it comes to the framework reliability and with their approach you can always solve all use cases you're faced with.

          Eventually, I think you're wrong when you say IceFaces cannot be used with Tomahawk. Fact is the "conversational" request type IF uses doesn't help making them work out of the box. But it works. It's indeed easier with RichFaces.

          • 2. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
            c_inconnu

            Hi,

            Thanks for your answer fabmars. But I'd REALLY like that some richfaces team member would answer this post, and particularly this one BIG question:

            Is there a way to make RF+Seam works with JBoss-4.2/Liferay-4.4?

            I searched the web, but the few results are all discouraging (basically "who managed to make it work?"). I also looked at JBossPortletBridge but as far as i understand, this is just for jboss-portal, isn't it ?

            I will have to take a decision in the next few days, but if I cannot even make it working... it will be an easy one :(

            David

            • 3. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
              alex.alvarez

              One think I would like to add is, if possible avoid using Tomahawk components as they break the RF AJAX functionality. I must say Tomahawk is practically dead, as there are pages full of issues with patches but no one seems to be working on it. Sadly they do have some fantastic components

              In general, I don't think the developers of RF test their components with other frameworks, and this is impeding the migration from other frameworks, since the errors are usually difficult to troubleshoot (i.e. is it the bridge, JSF, facelets, RF?), which is quite frustrating.

              Alex

              • 4. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
                ilya_shaikovsky

                Completelly not agree with you. Our test environment contains myFaces. And we've using tomahawk components in some our test. And I can't tell that tomahawk is dead at our pages.

                Yes there was both client(prototype conflicts issue) and server (viewRoot handling) side problems caused by some MyFaces features in implementation but again it was problems. But now with latest myFaces and Rich Faces - all works much more better and stable

                • 5. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces

                   

                  "c_inconnu" wrote:
                  I'd REALLY like that some richfaces team member would answer this post

                  We are not going to. Your question presumes independent suggestion. We, as a RichFaces team, cannot give it to you by definition.

                  About Liferay and RichFaces - http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=4151518

                  • 6. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
                    c_inconnu

                    Thanks for the pointer.

                    "SergeySmirnov" wrote:
                    We are not going to. Your question presumes independent suggestion. We, as a RichFaces team, cannot give it to you by definition.


                    ??? I don't understand this... I am looking for well-informed advice about RF, so what can be better than the team itself ? As long as you mentionned that your belongs to the team, i don't see any problem. And i mentionned that i post the same on icefaces forum... But i have to say that i was thinking mainly about liferay integration.

                    Anyway, thanks for taking some time to answer. Unfortunately i have to make a decision before wednesday, and i cannot make it working, and no one seems to have... I used RF on a regular seam project, and i must say it is good lib.

                    • 7. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
                      fabmars

                      I think Sergey wanted to tell you he won't help you answer whether to choose between RichFaces and IceFaces, bcause it would be biased by definition. HE did not tell you he wouldn't help. Sergey usually helps a lot of developers here, day after day.

                      • 8. Re: Choice between Icefaces and Richfaces
                        c_inconnu

                        i will try harder on monday with portletbridge...