Thats one small [server-side] step for man.....

Lesson 1: Server Side JavasScript (SSJS). Where to begin?

One of the first things I do when trying to skill up on a new product is turn to the products documentation or help files. Give me and API and ill show you some code. The very next thing i do is deny step 1 ;)

For me, browsing the help doco in a new tool is kind of like looking at the scale legend on a map - it gives me a frame of reference as to how big an undertaking its going to be to get my head across the new stuff. It also gives me a sense of how "featured a prodcut" is by the help doco. So imagine my initial reaction (and sense of confidence) when reading the help doco in 8.5.1 i find a typo on the first page i read....



Ok, maybe im being too harsh, lets try another page.


Seems not. Now i *know* that reading the JSDT help files *isnt* learning about SSJS, but the point is that im not filled with confidence already. Dont get me wrong -- im keen to learn and start using SSJS. I just need to know *where* to start.


First post: The Guy, the Journey and those Xpages

*taps microphone*

"Welcome. Welcome. My name is Dan Lowden and ill be your blogger this afternoon...."

OK. Jokes aside. Welcome to my new blog on Notes/Domino Application Development. For a while now I've been toying with the idea of starting a blog but not really had a good enough subject to blog (or ive been waaaay too busy with work). Recently that situation has changed for me and I now have both the time and topic: Xpages.

So my goal with this blog is gonna be simple. Document my trials and tribulations in learning Xpages. See i told you. Simple. I just hope that learning Xpages proves that way too. Hopefully I'll learn (and retain) a bit more info by blogging about my efforts and also there's the odd chance that I could help you out too.

About me.

I'm a Notes/Domino developer and have been in the Domino space for nearly 9 years now. I first started in R5, and am now an Advance App. Developer in R8 (thats PCLP in ye-olde' speak).

I live in Sydney, Australia and currently work for an listed Australian Multi-national as the Messaging and Collaboration Manager.

Why Xpages?

Like most Domino developers i've managed to assemble a nifty arsenal of tricks in order to hack Domino to do anything remotely current when it comes to web development and applications. However, with the advent of Xpages in Domino 8.5.x, i find that my little bag of tricks upong which i relied so much has quickly become obselete -- so it's time to return to school. Xpages school.

Please join me on this journey, i welcome all comments, clarifications and questions on anything I post.

Dan (aka. The Xpage Guy -- at least i will be soon)

:)