Tutorial: Adding fields in the Catalogs tool

In this tutorial, you extend the Management Center Catalogs tool to manage UserData information and adding logic to show this information in storefront product pages.

This tutorial continues the UserData scenario that is introduced in the extending a BOD service to manage UserData with the Data Service Layer tutorial. This tutorial is divided into two parts:

Part 1: Adding a language insensitive property in the Catalogs tool.

To add this property, you customize the Catalogs tool to provide a mechanism to select UserData information for products. Then, you update the storefront to display the UserData information to shoppers.

The CatalogEntry noun uses the UserData element as a data extension point to add new data for the warranty example that is used in this tutorial without changing the logical model. In this tutorial, warranty information is added to the CatalogEntry noun UserData element to demonstrate the addition of language independent properties. A warranty consists of a term or the number of days the warranty applies and a type, either limited or comprehensive. Warranty information is not translated because it contains only the Warranty term and type.

After you complete part one of this tutorial:
  • The Warranty term UserData column is displayed on the product list table in the Catalogs tool.
  • The Category Manager can open the property view, browse Warranty information, select values for Warranty term and Warranty type, and save the values to the database.
  • The Madisons store product display pages show warranty information.

Part 2: Add a language sensitive property in the Catalogs tool.

The property that you add provides care instruction information to the CatalogEntryDescription noun. In this tutorial, the care instruction information applies to a specific catalog entry and language. The care instruction consists of a text description of the instruction.

After you complete the part two of this tutorial:
  • The Category Manager can open the property view to browse the information for the product care instruction in the Catalogs tool.
  • Your store product display pages show product care instructions and warranty information.

Learning objectives

After completing this tutorial, you should be familiar with the following concepts:

After completing this tutorial, you should be able to perform the following tasks:
  • Extend WebSphere Commerce query templates to include new data.
  • Update an object definition to include new user data or attribute property.
  • Update a Properties view to include new widget for new property.
  • Update a list view to include new widget for new property.
  • Update the product display JSP file to include new property.

Time required

Expect this tutorial to take three hours to complete. The tutorial can take longer if you explore concepts that are related to this tutorial.

Skill level

This tutorial is intended for advanced WebSphere Commerce developers responsible for creating and customizing WebSphere Commerce services and customizing OpenLaszlo Client GUI. To complete this tutorial, ensure that you are familiar with the following terms and concepts:
  • Web services
  • XML
  • WebSphere Commerce services
  • Relational databases
  • SQL
  • OpenLaszlo
  • Rational Application Developer
  • Management Center framework
  • JSP
  • Access control
  • Data service layer

System requirements

Before you begin this tutorial, ensure that you complete the following tasks: