Portlet

Portlets are components in Java-based web development that function as independent applications within a web page, adhering to the Java Portlet Specification (JSR 168, JSR 286, JSR 362). They allow for personalized user views by enabling communication between portlets and dynamically adjusting layout and content at runtime. This setup simplifies the management of multiple applications from a central location within enterprise portals like Liferay. The concept was standardized by the Java Community Process, with organizations such as Apache and Liferay overseeing its development.

Specific versions of the specification were created by expert groups within the Java community, involving various stakeholders to refine portlet technology for optimal use in web development. Portlets act as standalone applications that can be reused across different pages within a portal framework. Their design promotes flexibility and modularity in web development, offering enhanced user experience through personalized, interactive content while maintaining ease of maintenance.

Portlets face competition from other Java-based technologies like servlets and JavaServer Faces (JSF), each serving distinct purposes. Servlets extend server capabilities and handle client requests fundamentally, while JSF focuses on simplifying user interface creation for server-side applications with a higher-level component-based approach. Despite these alternatives, portlets provide unique advantages in portal environments due to their ability to offer personalized views through reusable components conforming to standardized specifications. This makes them particularly beneficial for creating complex yet manageable web applications that enhance productivity for developers and administrators.

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