Installing the tools

First, you need to install the WebObjects core frameworks and an IDE (Eclipse and the WOLips plugins).

To install the frameworks, we strongly suggest that you follow this tutorial.

After you have installed the frameworks, you need to install Eclipse and WOLips.

On Mac OS X, you can also install Eclipse and WOLips with a turn-key installer. This kit will install Eclipse, WOLips (stable build), WOTaskd/Monitor launchd scripts and Project Wonder frameworks. Please note that you still need to install the WebObjects frameworks before using the turn-key installer.

On Windows, you can use an Java application that will install everything, including the WebObjects frameworks.

Learn the concepts

Start by reading WebObjects Overview and WebObjects Web Applications Programming Guide at Apple's developer site. Those documents are really good at explaining the concepts behind WebObjects. Please note that they talk about the old toolset (EOModeler, WebObjects Builder, etc.), but the concepts are still valid.

After you have read the two Apple documents, have a look at our podcasts and this Apple-provided tutorial.

There are tutorials to help you learn how to use the WOLips tools.

The WebObjects wiki contains best practices information culled from the collective wisdom of the WebObjects community.

Books? We've got'em too. We highly recommend Practical WebObjects by Chuck Hill and Sacha Mallais.

If you have a copy of WebObjects Developer's Guide (author: Ravi Mendis, publisher : Sams) or Professional WebObjects with Java (publisher: Wrox), we have converted the example code to Eclipse/WOLips projects. You can get them by Subversion.

Get Better

Why re-invent the wheel?

WebObjects is completely object oriented and can be enhanced through additional frameworks. We strongly suggest that you start with Project Wonder. Project Wonder adds a lot to the core WebObjects frameworks, including bug fixes. You should use it right from the start!

Get together

WebObjects has a supportive and active user community. To contribute or benefit, the mailing lists is the best way to reach out other WebObjects developers.

You can also attend WOWODC, our annual conference dedicated to WebObjects and third-party frameworks.

Get training

Numerous organizations provide classes or individual training. You can also buy the recordings of past WOWODCs to augment your WebObjects knowledge.