the first implementation of an XML-RPC server endpoint within Venice...

also tweaked the session code to allow session types other than standard HTTP
cookie-based sessions.  The XML-RPC code doesn't do anything interesting yet.

etc/ui-config.xml

@@ -271,6 +271,17 @@
     </remap>
   </remapper>
 
+  <!-- Configuration for the RPC interfaces. -->
+  <rpc>
+    <xmlrpc-methods>
+      <method name="venice:test\.sumDifference">
+        <object class="com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc.XmlRpcTestHandler"/>
+        <env name="e1" value="foo"/>
+	<env name="p1" value="${param.0}"/>
+      </method>
+    </xmlrpc-methods>
+  </rpc>
+
   <!-- Contains standard messages displayed by front end -->
   <messages>
     <!-- The message displayed at the top of "top" when you're not logged in (HTML). -->

etc/web.xml

@@ -119,6 +119,12 @@
     <servlet-class>com.silverwrist.venice.ui.servlet.RemapperServlet</servlet-class>
   </servlet>
 
+  <servlet>
+    <servlet-name>XmlRpc</servlet-name>
+    <description>Handles XML-RPC calls for the application.</description>
+    <servlet-class>com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc.XmlRpcServlet</servlet-class>
+  </servlet>
+
   <!-- Servlet mappings -->
 
   <servlet-mapping>
@@ -182,6 +188,11 @@
     <url-pattern>/verifyemail</url-pattern>
   </servlet-mapping>
 
+  <servlet-mapping>
+    <servlet-name>XmlRpc</servlet-name>
+    <url-pattern>/RPC2</url-pattern>
+  </servlet-mapping>
+
   <!-- Global parameters for the HTTP session -->
   <session-config>
     <session-timeout>60</session-timeout>    <!-- 1 hour -->

lib/.gitignore

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 bsf.jar
 jacl.jar
+jakarta-regexp*.jar
 js.jar
 log4j.jar
 mysql.jar

lib/README.lib

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ compatible with the versions specified here.
 
 Library                         Version  File Name(s)                      Install To
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+Apache Jakarta Regexp           1.2      jakarta-regexp-1.2.jar            Venice "lib" subdirectory
 Apache LOG4J                    1.1.3    log4j.jar                         Venice "lib" subdirectory
 Bean Scripting Framework        2.2      bsf.jar                           Venice "lib" subdirectory
 Jacl (Tcl interpreter)          1.3(CVS) jacl.jar, tcljava.jar             Venice "lib" subdirectory

scripts/logout.js

@@ -31,8 +31,7 @@ if (user.isLoggedIn())
 { // user is logged in - we want to log out
   // TODO: only remove the login cookie if it was actually set!
   rinput.deleteCookie(RequestInput.LOGIN_COOKIE);    // remove the login cookie
-  rinput.replaceUser(null);                          // no more user context
+  rinput.endSession();
-  rinput.setSessionAttribute(RequestInput.LEFT_MENU_SESSION_ATTR,null);  // and clear menus too
 
   target = "top.js.vs";  // take 'em back to the top
 

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/NullSession.java

@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui;
+
+import java.util.*;
+import javax.servlet.*;
+import javax.servlet.http.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.core.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.config.RootConfig;
+
+public class NullSession implements VeniceUISession, VeniceUISessionFactory
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static NullSession self = null;
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructor
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private NullSession()
+  { // do nothing
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Internal operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private final void bogus()
+  {
+    throw new IllegalStateException("null session is not valid");
+
+  } // end bogus
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface VeniceUISession
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public long getCreationTime()
+  {
+    bogus();
+    return 0;
+
+  } // end getCreationTime
+
+  public String getID()
+  {
+    return null;
+
+  } // end getID
+
+  public long getLastAccessedTime()
+  {
+    return 0;
+
+  } // end getLastAccessedTime
+
+  public void setMaxInactiveInterval(int interval)
+  { // do nothing
+  } // end setMaxInactiveInterval
+
+  public int getMaxInactiveInterval()
+  {
+    return -1;
+
+  } // end getMaxInactiveInterval
+
+  public Object getAttribute(String name)
+  {
+    bogus();
+    return null;
+
+  } // end getAttribute
+
+  public Enumeration getAttributeNames()
+  {
+    bogus();
+    return null;
+
+  } // end getAttributeNames
+
+  public void setAttribute(String name, Object o)
+  {
+    bogus();
+
+  } // end setAttribute
+
+  public void removeAttribute(String name)
+  {
+    bogus();
+
+  } // end removeAttribute
+
+  public void invalidate()
+  {
+    bogus();
+
+  } // end invalidate
+
+  public UserContext getUser()
+  {
+    bogus();
+    return null;
+
+  } // end getUser
+
+  public void setUser(UserContext user)
+  {
+    bogus();
+
+  } // end setUser
+
+  public void preprocess(RequestInput ri)
+  { // do nothing
+  } // end preprocess
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface VeniceUISessionFactory
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public VeniceUISession createSession(ServletContext ctxt, HttpServletRequest request,
+				       HttpServletResponse response, VeniceEngine engine,
+				       RootConfig config)
+  {
+    return this;
+
+  } // end createSession
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * External static operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public static final synchronized NullSession get()
+  {
+    if (self==null)
+      self = new NullSession();
+    return self;
+
+  } // end get
+
+} // end class NullSession

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/RequestInput.java

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  * 
  * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
  * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
- * Copyright (C) 2001 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * Copyright (C) 2001-02 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
  * 
  * Contributor(s): 
  */
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import java.io.IOException;
 import java.util.Date;
 import java.util.Enumeration;
 import java.util.Map;
+import org.w3c.dom.Document;
 import com.silverwrist.util.ServletMultipartException;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.core.CommunityContext;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.core.UserContext;
@@ -53,6 +54,8 @@ public interface RequestInput extends LinkTypes
 
   public abstract String getSourceAddress();
 
+  public abstract void endSession();
+
   public abstract boolean hasParameter(String name);
 
   public abstract String getParameter(String name);
@@ -75,6 +78,10 @@ public interface RequestInput extends LinkTypes
 
   public abstract InputStream getParameterDataStream(String name) throws ServletMultipartException;
 
+  public abstract Document getRequestDocument();
+
+  public abstract boolean sessionBound();
+
   public abstract boolean isImageButtonClicked(String name);
 
   public abstract Object getAppAttribute(String name);

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/VeniceUISession.java

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui;
+
+import java.util.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.core.*;
+
+public interface VeniceUISession
+{
+  public abstract long getCreationTime();
+
+  public abstract String getID();
+
+  public abstract long getLastAccessedTime();
+
+  public abstract void setMaxInactiveInterval(int interval);
+
+  public abstract int getMaxInactiveInterval();
+
+  public abstract Object getAttribute(String name);
+
+  public abstract Enumeration getAttributeNames();
+
+  public abstract void setAttribute(String name, Object o);
+
+  public abstract void removeAttribute(String name);
+
+  public abstract void invalidate();
+
+  public abstract UserContext getUser();
+
+  public abstract void setUser(UserContext user);
+
+  public abstract void preprocess(RequestInput ri);
+
+} // end class VeniceUISession

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/VeniceUISessionFactory.java

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui;
+
+import javax.servlet.*;
+import javax.servlet.http.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.core.VeniceEngine;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.config.RootConfig;
+
+public interface VeniceUISessionFactory
+{
+  public abstract VeniceUISession createSession(ServletContext ctxt, HttpServletRequest request,
+						HttpServletResponse response, VeniceEngine engine,
+						RootConfig config) throws ServletException;
+
+} // end interface VeniceUISessionFactory

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/config/RootConfig.java

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  * 
  * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
  * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
- * Copyright (C) 2001 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * Copyright (C) 2001-02 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
  * 
  * Contributor(s): 
  */
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.CommunityMenu;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.CommunityMenuFactory;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.Menu;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.MenuComponent;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc.XmlRpcMethod;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.util.*;
 
 public class RootConfig implements LinkTypes, ColorSelectors
@@ -79,6 +80,7 @@ public class RootConfig implements LinkTypes, ColorSelectors
   private ButtonHolder buttons;            // the button definitions
   private String[] content_hdr;            // the content header parts
   private Remapper remapper;               // the URL remapper
+  private List xmlrpc_methods;             // the list of XML-RPC methods
   private StockMessages stock_messages;    // the stock messages
   private Map menus;                       // the menus
   private DialogManager dialogs;           // the dialog manager
@@ -324,7 +326,7 @@ public class RootConfig implements LinkTypes, ColorSelectors
       for (i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
       { // loop through the subelements
 	Node n = nl.item(i);
-	if ((n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE))
+	if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
 	{ // retrieve the font size and add it to our map
 	  DOMElementHelper h = new DOMElementHelper((Element)n);
 	  tmap.put(n.getNodeName(),h.getElementText());
@@ -367,6 +369,35 @@ public class RootConfig implements LinkTypes, ColorSelectors
     // Initialize the remapper object.
     remapper = new Remapper(sect,this);
 
+    // Get the <rpc/> section.
+    sect = loader.configGetSubSection(root_h,"rpc");
+    sect_h = new DOMElementHelper(sect);
+
+    // Get the <xmlrpc-methods/> section.
+    sect1 = loader.configGetSubSection(sect_h,"xmlrpc-methods");
+    nl = sect1.getChildNodes();
+    ArrayList tmp_alist = new ArrayList();
+    for (i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
+    { // look for methods
+      Node n = nl.item(i);
+      if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
+      { // look for a <method/> element and use it to initialize a method
+	if (n.getNodeName().equals("method"))
+	  tmp_alist.add(new XmlRpcMethod((Element)n));
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } // end for
+
+    if (tmp_alist.isEmpty())
+      xmlrpc_methods = Collections.EMPTY_LIST;
+    else
+    { // save off the methods list
+      tmp_alist.trimToSize();
+      xmlrpc_methods = Collections.unmodifiableList(tmp_alist);
+
+    } // end else
+
     // Get the <messages/> section.
     sect = loader.configGetSubSection(root_h,"messages");
 
@@ -718,6 +749,12 @@ public class RootConfig implements LinkTypes, ColorSelectors
 
   } // end getDefaultServletAddress
 
+  public final List getXmlRpcMethods()
+  {
+    return xmlrpc_methods;
+
+  } // end getXmlRpcMethods
+
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Static initializer
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcDispatch.java

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.RequestInput;
+
+public interface XmlRpcDispatch
+{
+  public abstract Object dispatch(RequestInput req, XmlRpcRequest xreq, Map environment)
+      throws Exception, XmlRpcFault;
+
+} // end interface XmlRpcDispatch

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcFault.java

@@ -0,0 +1,123 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.io.IOException;
+import com.silverwrist.util.StringUtil;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.helpers.ThrowableContent;
+
+public class XmlRpcFault extends ThrowableContent implements ContentExecute
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  // Some "standard" XML-RPC error codes.
+  public static final int INVALID_REQUEST = -32600;
+  public static final int METHOD_NOT_FOUND = -32601;
+  public static final int INVALID_PARAMS = -32602;
+  public static final int INTERNAL_ERROR = -32603;
+  public static final int APPLICATION_ERROR = -32500;
+  public static final int SERVER_ERROR = -32400;
+  public static final int TRANSPORT_ERROR = -32300;
+  public static final int DEFAULT_ERROR = 0;
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Attributes
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private int fault_code = DEFAULT_ERROR;
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructors
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public XmlRpcFault(String msg)
+  {
+    super(msg);
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  public XmlRpcFault(int code, String msg)
+  {
+    super(msg);
+    fault_code = code;
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  public XmlRpcFault(Throwable t)
+  {
+    super(t);
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  public XmlRpcFault(int code, Throwable t)
+  {
+    super(t);
+    fault_code = code;
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  public XmlRpcFault(String msg, Throwable t)
+  {
+    super(msg,t);
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  public XmlRpcFault(int code, String msg, Throwable t)
+  {
+    super(msg,t);
+    fault_code = code;
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface ContentExecute
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public void execute(RequestExec req) throws IOException
+  {
+    StringBuffer b =
+        new StringBuffer("<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\r\n<methodResponse><fault><value><struct>\r\n<member>\r\n"
+			 + "<name>faultCode</name>\r\n<value><int>");
+    b.append(fault_code);
+    b.append("</int></value>\r\n</member>\r\n<member>\r\n<name>faultString</name>\r\n<value><string>");
+    b.append(StringUtil.encodeHTML(getMessage()));
+    b.append("</string></value>\r\n</member>\r\n</struct></value></fault></methodResponse>\r\n");
+    byte[] raw = b.toString().getBytes("UTF-8");
+    req.sendBinary("text/xml",raw);
+
+  } // end execute
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * External operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public final int getFaultCode()
+  {
+    return fault_code;
+
+  } // end getFaultCode
+
+} // end class XmlRpcFault

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcMethod.java

@@ -0,0 +1,172 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.util.*;
+import org.apache.log4j.*;
+import org.apache.regexp.*;
+import org.w3c.dom.*;
+import com.silverwrist.util.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.except.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.XMLLoader;
+
+public class XmlRpcMethod
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static Category logger = Category.getInstance(XmlRpcMethod.class);
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Attributes
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private REProgram method_pgm;       // regular expression program to match method name
+  private String remap_value = null;  // remap value
+  private Class obj_class = null;     // "class" handler for object
+  private Map raw_env;                // "raw" environment
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructor
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public XmlRpcMethod(Element cfg) throws ConfigException
+  {
+    XMLLoader loader = XMLLoader.get();
+    String method_name = loader.configGetAttribute(cfg,"name");
+    try
+    { // compile the method name into a regular expression program
+      RECompiler comp = new RECompiler();
+      method_pgm = comp.compile("^" + method_name + "$");
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (RESyntaxException rese)
+    { // not a valid regular expression program
+      logger.error("not a valid RE expression: " + method_name,rese);
+      throw new ConfigException("method name \"" + method_name + "\" not valid regular expression",cfg);
+
+    } // end catch
+
+    DOMElementHelper cfg_h = new DOMElementHelper(cfg);
+    Element sub;
+
+    if ((sub = cfg_h.getSubElement("object"))!=null)
+    { // object handler element is present
+      DOMElementHelper sub_h = new DOMElementHelper(sub);
+      if (sub_h.hasAttribute("class"))
+      { // the class is valid - try and load it
+	try
+	{ // load the class referenced by the handler
+	  obj_class = Class.forName(sub.getAttribute("class"));
+	  if (!(XmlRpcDispatch.class.isAssignableFrom(obj_class)))
+	    throw new ConfigException("object handler class \"" + sub.getAttribute("class")
+				      + "\" is not an XmlRpcDispatch class",sub);
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (ClassNotFoundException cnfe)
+	{ // class not found - bail out
+	  throw new ConfigException("object handler class \"" + sub.getAttribute("class")
+				    + "\" not found",sub);
+
+	} // end catch
+
+      } // end if
+      else  // no referent for object handler - bail out now
+	throw new ConfigException("object handler for method \"" + "\" not valid",sub);
+
+    } // end if
+    else  // no handler - this is an error
+      throw new ConfigException("method \"" + method_name + "\" does not have a valid handler",cfg);
+
+    NodeList nl = sub.getChildNodes();
+    HashMap tmp_env = new HashMap();
+    for (int i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
+    { // look for specific nodes
+      Node n = nl.item(i);
+      if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
+      { // process various elements
+	if (n.getNodeName().equals("env"))
+	  tmp_env.put(loader.configGetAttribute((Element)n,"name"),
+		      loader.configGetAttribute((Element)n,"value"));
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } // end for
+
+    if (tmp_env.isEmpty())
+      raw_env = Collections.EMPTY_MAP;
+    else
+      raw_env = Collections.unmodifiableMap(tmp_env);
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * External operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public final void configureMatcher(RE re)
+  {
+    re.setProgram(method_pgm);
+
+  } // end configureMatcher
+
+  public final String getRemap()
+  {
+    return remap_value;
+
+  } // end getRemap
+
+  public final Object dispatch(RequestInput req, XmlRpcRequest xreq, Map sub_map) throws Exception, XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    // prepare the environment
+    HashMap env = new HashMap();
+    Iterator it = raw_env.entrySet().iterator();
+    while (it.hasNext())
+    { // do replacements to make the environment
+      Map.Entry ntry = (Map.Entry)(it.next());
+      env.put(ntry.getKey().toString(),StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(ntry.getValue().toString(),sub_map));
+
+    } // end while
+
+    if (obj_class!=null)
+    { // object class method call - look for a cached object first
+      Map cache = (Map)(req.getAppAttribute(XmlRpcServlet.OBJECT_CLASS_CACHE_ATTR));
+      XmlRpcDispatch disp = (XmlRpcDispatch)(cache.get(obj_class.getName()));
+      if (disp==null)
+      { // create new instance and cache it
+	disp = (XmlRpcDispatch)(obj_class.newInstance());
+	cache.put(obj_class.getName(),disp);
+
+      } // end if
+
+      return disp.dispatch(req,xreq,env);  // dispatch the call
+
+    } // end if
+
+    // unable to dispatch things
+    return new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.APPLICATION_ERROR,"dispatch failure");
+
+  } // end dispatch
+
+} // end class XmlRpcMethod

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcRequest.java

@@ -0,0 +1,392 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.io.*;
+import java.util.*;
+import javax.mail.*;
+import javax.mail.internet.*;
+import org.w3c.dom.*;
+import com.silverwrist.util.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.except.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.XMLLoader;
+
+public class XmlRpcRequest
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static SimpleTimeZone utc = new SimpleTimeZone(0,"UTC");
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Attributes
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  String method_name;          // the method name
+  List method_params;          // the method parameters
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructor
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  XmlRpcRequest(Document req_doc) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    if (req_doc==null)
+      throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"no XML call structure found");
+
+    try
+    {
+      // load the initial structure and method name
+      XMLLoader loader = XMLLoader.get();
+      Element root = loader.postGetRootElement(req_doc,"methodCall");
+      DOMElementHelper root_h = new DOMElementHelper(root);
+      method_name = loader.postGetSubElementText(root_h,"methodName");
+
+      // parse the parameters
+      Element params = root_h.getSubElement("params");
+      ArrayList tmp_method_params = new ArrayList();
+      if (params!=null)
+      { // look for <param/> children of the <params/> node
+	NodeList nl = params.getChildNodes();
+	for (int i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
+	{ // look at the child node...
+	  Node n = nl.item(i);
+	  if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
+	  { // make sure it's a <param/> node
+	    if (!(n.getNodeName().equals("param")))
+	      throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				    "non-param element found inside \"params\" element");
+	    tmp_method_params.add(parseValue(loader.postGetSubSection((Element)n,"value")));
+
+	  } // end if
+	  // else ignore this node
+
+	} // end for
+
+      } // end if
+
+      // save the method parameters
+      if (tmp_method_params.isEmpty())
+	method_params = Collections.EMPTY_LIST;
+      else
+      { // make it read-only before 
+	tmp_method_params.trimToSize();
+	method_params = Collections.unmodifiableList(tmp_method_params);
+
+      } // end else
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (ValidationException ve)
+    { // validation exceptions get translated to XML-RPC faults
+      throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,ve);
+
+    } // end catch
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Internal static operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static final Object parseValue(Element val) throws ValidationException, XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    XMLLoader loader = XMLLoader.get();
+
+    // see if the value has an embedded type...
+    NodeList nl = val.getChildNodes();
+    Element type = null;
+    for (int i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
+    { // look for any sub-element within a value
+      Node n = nl.item(i);
+      if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
+      { // save off the type-specific element
+	if (type!=null)
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				"more than one type-specific element within a \"value\" element");
+	type = (Element)n;
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } // end for
+
+    if (type!=null)
+    { // look at the contents of the "type" element
+      DOMElementHelper h = new DOMElementHelper(type);
+      final String name = type.getTagName();
+      if (name.equals("i4") || name.equals("int"))
+      { // parse an integer value
+	String s = h.getElementText();
+	if (s==null)
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid null inside \"" + name + "\" value");
+	Integer rc = null;
+	try
+	{ // create the return value
+	  rc = new Integer(s.trim());
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (NumberFormatException nfe)
+	{ // bogus number!
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid integer value inside \"" + name
+				                            + "\" value");
+
+	} // end catch
+
+	return rc;
+
+      } // end if
+      else if (name.equals("boolean"))
+      { // parse a boolean value
+	String s = h.getElementText();
+	if (s==null)
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid null inside \"boolean\" value");
+	s = s.trim();
+	if (s.equals("1"))
+	  return Boolean.TRUE;
+	else if (s.equals("0"))
+	  return Boolean.FALSE;
+	else
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid value inside \"boolean\" value");
+
+      } // end else if
+      else if (name.equals("string"))
+      { // parse a string value
+	String s = h.getElementText();
+	if (s==null)
+	  s = "";
+	return s;
+
+      } // end else if
+      else if (name.equals("double"))
+      { // parse a double-precision floating-point value
+	String s = h.getElementText();
+	if (s==null)
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid null inside \"double\" value");
+	Double rc = null;
+	try
+	{ // create the return value
+	  rc = new Double(s.trim());
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (NumberFormatException nfe)
+	{ // bogus number!
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				"invalid floating-point value inside \"double\" value");
+
+	} // end catch
+
+	return rc;
+
+      } // end else if
+      else if (name.equals("dateTime.iso8601"))
+      { // parse a date/time value
+	String dstr = h.getElementText();
+	if (dstr==null)
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid null inside \"dateTime.iso8601\" value");
+	dstr = dstr.trim();
+
+	// run some validation checks on the string
+	if ((dstr.charAt(8)!='T') || (dstr.charAt(11)!=':') || (dstr.charAt(14)!=':'))
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				"invalid ISO8601 date/time value inside \"dateTime.iso8601\" value");
+
+	try
+	{ // use a GregorianCalendar to convert the fields into the appropriate format
+	  GregorianCalendar cal = new GregorianCalendar(utc);
+	  cal.set(Calendar.YEAR,Integer.parseInt(dstr.substring(0,4)));
+	  cal.set(Calendar.MONTH,Integer.parseInt(dstr.substring(4,6)) - 1 + Calendar.JANUARY);
+	  cal.set(Calendar.DAY_OF_MONTH,Integer.parseInt(dstr.substring(6,8)));
+	  cal.set(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY,Integer.parseInt(dstr.substring(9,11)));
+	  cal.set(Calendar.MINUTE,Integer.parseInt(dstr.substring(12,14)));
+	  cal.set(Calendar.SECOND,Integer.parseInt(dstr.substring(15,17)));
+	  return cal.getTime();
+	  
+	} // end try
+	catch (NumberFormatException nfe)
+	{ // numeric conversion error!
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				"invalid ISO8601 date/time value inside \"dateTime.iso8601\" value");
+
+	} // end catch
+
+      } // end else if
+      else if (name.equals("base64"))
+      { // parse a binary value
+	String s = h.getElementText();
+	if (s==null)
+	  return new byte[0];
+	byte[] encoded_data = null;
+	try
+	{ // get the encoded data
+	  encoded_data = s.getBytes("US-ASCII");
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (UnsupportedEncodingException uee)
+	{ // this is bogus
+	  throw new InternalStateError("US-ASCII reports as 'unsupported'...shouldn't happen");
+
+	} // end catch
+
+	byte[] rc = null;
+	try
+	{ // wrap the byte array in a stream and decode it
+	  // note: we use JavaMail's MIME decoder here
+	  ByteArrayInputStream encoded_stm = new ByteArrayInputStream(encoded_data);
+	  InputStream decoded_stm = MimeUtility.decode(encoded_stm,"base64");
+
+	  // copy the decoded information to a new stream
+	  ByteArrayOutputStream out_stm = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
+	  IOUtil.copy(decoded_stm,out_stm);
+	  IOUtil.shutdown(decoded_stm);
+	  IOUtil.shutdown(encoded_stm);
+
+	  // save the byte array backing the new stream
+	  rc = out_stm.toByteArray();
+	  IOUtil.shutdown(out_stm);
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (IOException ioe)
+	{ // error schlepping all those bits around
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,
+				"unable to load binary data from \"base64\" value");
+
+	} // end catch
+	catch (MessagingException me)
+	{ // invalid format
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,"invalid encoded data inside \"base64\" value");
+
+	} // end catch
+
+	return rc;
+
+      } // end else if
+      else if (name.equals("struct"))
+	return parseStruct(type);
+      else if (name.equals("array"))
+	return parseArray(type);
+      else  // no dice here
+	throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+			      "invalid type element \"" + name + "\" specified inside a \"value\"");
+
+    } // end if
+    else
+    { // if there's no type-specific element, treat it as a string
+      DOMElementHelper h = new DOMElementHelper(val);
+      String s = h.getElementText();
+      if (s==null)
+	s = "";
+      return s;
+
+    } // end else
+
+  } // end parseValue
+
+  private static final List parseArray(Element val) throws XmlRpcFault, ValidationException
+  {
+    XMLLoader loader = XMLLoader.get();
+    Element data = loader.postGetSubSection(val,"data");
+    NodeList nl = val.getChildNodes();
+    ArrayList rc = new ArrayList();
+    for (int i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
+    { // look for <value/> elements within the <data/> element
+      Node n = nl.item(i);
+      if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
+      { // make sure we've got a value element here!
+	if (!(n.getNodeName().equals("value")))
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				"non-value element found inside array \"data\" element");
+	rc.add(parseValue((Element)n));
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } // end for
+
+    if (rc.isEmpty())
+      return Collections.EMPTY_LIST;
+    else
+    { // trim the result array and return the list
+      rc.trimToSize();
+      return Collections.unmodifiableList(rc);
+
+    } // end else
+
+  } // end parseArray
+
+  private static final Map parseStruct(Element val) throws XmlRpcFault, ValidationException
+  {
+    XMLLoader loader = XMLLoader.get();
+    NodeList nl = val.getChildNodes();
+    HashMap rc = new HashMap();
+    for (int i=0; i<nl.getLength(); i++)
+    { // seek out all the <member/> elements within a <struct/> element
+      Node n = nl.item(i);
+      if (n.getNodeType()==Node.ELEMENT_NODE)
+      { // make sure we've got a value element here!
+	if (!(n.getNodeName().equals("member")))
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_REQUEST,
+				"non-member element found inside \"struct\" element");
+	DOMElementHelper h = new DOMElementHelper((Element)n);
+	String my_name = loader.postGetSubElementText(h,"name").trim();
+	Element my_val = loader.postGetSubSection(h,"value");
+	rc.put(my_name,parseValue(my_val));
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } // end for
+
+    if (rc.isEmpty())
+      return Collections.EMPTY_MAP;
+    else
+      return Collections.unmodifiableMap(rc);
+
+  } // end parseStruct
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * External operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public final String getMethod()
+  {
+    return method_name;
+
+  } // end getMethod
+
+  public final int getParamCount()
+  {
+    return method_params.size();
+
+  } // end getParamCount
+
+  public final List getParams()
+  {
+    return method_params;
+
+  } // end getParams
+
+  public final Object getParam(int ndx)
+  {
+    return method_params.get(ndx);
+
+  } // end getParam
+
+} // end class XmlRpcRequest

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcSelfSerializer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+public interface XmlRpcSelfSerializer
+{
+  public abstract String serializeXmlRpc() throws XmlRpcFault;
+
+} // end interface XmlRpcSelfSerializer

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcSerializer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,471 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.beans.*;
+import java.io.*;
+import java.lang.ref.*;
+import java.lang.reflect.*;
+import java.util.*;
+import javax.mail.*;
+import javax.mail.internet.*;
+import org.apache.log4j.*;
+import com.silverwrist.util.*;
+
+public class XmlRpcSerializer
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static Category logger = Category.getInstance(XmlRpcSerializer.class);
+
+  private static XmlRpcSerializer self = null;
+
+  private static SimpleTimeZone utc = new SimpleTimeZone(0,"UTC");
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructor
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private XmlRpcSerializer()
+  { // do nothing
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * External operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public final String serialize(boolean b)
+  {
+    return "<boolean>" + (b ? "1" : "0") + "</boolean>";
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(byte b)
+  {
+    return this.serialize((int)b);
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(char c)
+  {
+    return "<string>" + c + "</string>";
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(double d)
+  {
+    return "<double>" + d + "</double>";
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(float f)
+  {
+    return this.serialize((double)f);
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(int i)
+  {
+    return "<int>" + i + "</int>";
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(long l)
+  {
+    return this.serialize((double)l);
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(short s)
+  {
+    return this.serialize((int)s);
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(Object obj) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    if (obj==null)
+      return serializeString(null);
+
+    // self-serializing objects
+    if (obj instanceof XmlRpcSelfSerializer)
+      return ((XmlRpcSelfSerializer)obj).serializeXmlRpc();
+
+    // types from java.io.*
+    if (obj instanceof InputStream)
+      return serializeInputStream((InputStream)obj);
+
+    // types from java.sql.*
+    if (obj instanceof java.sql.Blob)
+    { // serialize the blob as a binary stream
+      try
+      { // just get its input stream
+	return serializeInputStream(((java.sql.Blob)obj).getBinaryStream());
+
+      } // end try
+      catch (java.sql.SQLException e)
+      { // fault on error here
+	throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,"unable to save binary data");
+
+      } // end catch
+
+    } // end if
+
+    // types from java.util.*
+    if (obj instanceof Calendar)
+      return serializeCalendar((Calendar)obj);
+    if (obj instanceof Collection)
+      return serializeCollection((Collection)obj);
+    if (obj instanceof java.util.Date)
+      return serializeDate((java.util.Date)obj);
+    if (obj instanceof Enumeration)
+      return serializeEnumeration((Enumeration)obj);
+    if (obj instanceof Iterator)
+      return serializeIterator((Iterator)obj);
+    if (obj instanceof Map)
+      return serializeMap((Map)obj);
+
+    // types from java.lang.ref.*
+    if (obj instanceof Reference)  // for a reference, encode its referent
+      return this.serialize(((Reference)obj).get());
+
+    // types from java.lang.*
+    if (obj instanceof Boolean)
+      return this.serialize(((Boolean)obj).booleanValue());
+    if (obj instanceof Character)
+      return this.serialize(((Character)obj).charValue());
+    if ((obj instanceof Byte) || (obj instanceof Short) || (obj instanceof Integer))
+      return this.serialize(((Number)obj).intValue());
+    if ((obj instanceof Long) || (obj instanceof Float) || (obj instanceof Double))
+      return this.serialize(((Number)obj).doubleValue());
+    // String and StringBuffer are handled properly by the fallback mechanism below
+
+    // last-ditch fallback method - use toString, get the string, and encode it
+    return serializeString(obj.toString());
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(boolean[] ba)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<ba.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(ba[i])).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(byte[] ba) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    return this.serializeInputStream(new ByteArrayInputStream(ba));
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(char[] ca)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<ca.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(ca[i])).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(double[] da)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<da.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(da[i])).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(float[] fa)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<fa.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize((double)(fa[i]))).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(int[] ia)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<ia.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(ia[i])).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(long[] la)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<la.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize((double)(la[i]))).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(short[] sa)
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<sa.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize((int)(sa[i]))).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serialize(Object[] arr) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    for (int i=0; i<arr.length; i++)
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(arr[i])).append("</value>\r\n");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serialize
+
+  public final String serializeBean(Object obj, BeanInfo binf) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    PropertyDescriptor[] props = binf.getPropertyDescriptors();
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<struct>\r\n");
+    final Object[] no_params = new Object[0];
+    for (int i=0; i<props.length; i++)
+    { // get property names and values
+      Method mread = props[i].getReadMethod();
+      if (mread!=null)
+      { // use the method to get the value associated with the name
+	try
+	{ // append the member data
+	  b.append("<member>\r\n<name>").append(StringUtil.encodeHTML(props[i].getName()));
+	  b.append("</name>\r\n<value>").append(this.serialize(mread.invoke(obj,no_params)));
+	  b.append("</value>\r\n</member>\r\n");
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (IllegalAccessException iae)
+	{ // unable to access that method
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,iae);
+
+	} // end catch
+	catch (InvocationTargetException ite)
+	{ // the method we invoked threw an exception
+	  throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,ite.getTargetException());
+
+	} // end catch
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } // end for
+
+    b.append("</struct>\r\n");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serializeBean
+
+  public final String serializeBean(Object obj) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    try
+    { // get the BeanInfo via introspection
+      return serializeBean(obj,Introspector.getBeanInfo(obj.getClass()));
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (IntrospectionException e)
+    { // introspection failed
+      throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,e);
+
+    } // end catch
+
+  } // end serializeBean
+
+  public final String serializeCalendar(Calendar cal)
+  {
+    // Create the two string buffers converting the date.
+    StringBuffer rc = new StringBuffer("<dateTime.iso8601>");
+    StringBuffer conv = new StringBuffer();
+    String c;
+    
+    // Encode the year first.
+    conv.append("0000").append(cal.get(Calendar.YEAR));
+    c = conv.toString();
+    rc.append(c.substring(c.length()-4));
+
+    // Now the month...
+    conv.setLength(0);
+    conv.append("00").append(cal.get(Calendar.MONTH) - Calendar.JANUARY + 1);
+    c = conv.toString();
+    rc.append(c.substring(c.length()-2));
+
+    // And the day...
+    conv.setLength(0);
+    conv.append("00").append(cal.get(Calendar.DAY_OF_MONTH));
+    c = conv.toString();
+    rc.append(c.substring(c.length()-2)).append('T');
+
+    // And the hour...
+    conv.setLength(0);
+    conv.append("00").append(cal.get(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY));
+    c = conv.toString();
+    rc.append(c.substring(c.length()-2)).append(':');
+
+    // And the minute...
+    conv.setLength(0);
+    conv.append("00").append(cal.get(Calendar.MINUTE));
+    c = conv.toString();
+    rc.append(c.substring(c.length()-2)).append(':');
+
+    // And the second...
+    conv.setLength(0);
+    conv.append("00").append(cal.get(Calendar.SECOND));
+    c = conv.toString();
+    rc.append(c.substring(c.length()-2)).append("</dateTime.iso8601>");
+
+    // This is the resulting date/time value.
+    return rc.toString();
+
+  } // end serializeCalendar
+
+  public final String serializeCollection(Collection coll) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    return serializeIterator(coll.iterator());
+
+  } // end serializeCollection
+
+  public final String serializeDate(java.util.Date date) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    GregorianCalendar cal = new GregorianCalendar(utc);
+    cal.setTime(date);
+    return serializeCalendar(cal);
+
+  } // end serializeDate
+
+  public final String serializeEnumeration(Enumeration enum) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    while (enum.hasMoreElements())
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(enum.nextElement())).append("</value>");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serializeIterator
+
+  public final String serializeInputStream(InputStream stm) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    String rc = null;
+
+    try
+    { // convert the data bytes to encoded bytes first
+      ByteArrayOutputStream internal_stm = new ByteArrayOutputStream();
+      OutputStream encode_stm = MimeUtility.encode(internal_stm,"base64");
+      IOUtil.copy(stm,encode_stm);
+      encode_stm.flush();
+
+      // turn our encoded output into an InputStream
+      ByteArrayInputStream internal2_stm = new ByteArrayInputStream(internal_stm.toByteArray());
+      IOUtil.shutdown(encode_stm);
+      IOUtil.shutdown(internal_stm);
+
+      // build a StringWriter containing the converted contents
+      StringWriter wr = new StringWriter();
+      wr.write("<base64>");
+      InputStreamReader rd = new InputStreamReader(internal2_stm,"US-ASCII");
+      IOUtil.copy(rd,wr);
+      IOUtil.shutdown(rd);
+      IOUtil.shutdown(internal2_stm);
+      wr.write("</base64>");
+
+      // send out the complete string
+      rc = wr.toString();
+      IOUtil.shutdown(wr);
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (IOException ioe)
+    { // this is an internal error
+      throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,"unable to save binary data");
+
+    } // end catch
+    catch (MessagingException me)
+    { // and so is this
+      throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INTERNAL_ERROR,"unable to encode binary data");
+
+    } // end catch
+
+    return rc;
+
+  } // end serializeInputStream
+
+  public final String serializeIterator(Iterator it) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<array>\r\n<data>\r\n");
+    while (it.hasNext())
+      b.append("<value>").append(this.serialize(it.next())).append("</value>");
+    b.append("</data>\r\n</array>");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serializeIterator
+
+  public final String serializeMap(Map m) throws XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    StringBuffer b = new StringBuffer("<struct>\r\n");
+    Iterator it = m.entrySet().iterator();
+    while (it.hasNext())
+    { // serialize each entry in turn
+      Map.Entry ntry = (Map.Entry)(it.next());
+      b.append("<member>\r\n<name>").append(StringUtil.encodeHTML(ntry.getKey().toString()));
+      b.append("</name>\r\n<value>").append(this.serialize(ntry.getValue()));
+      b.append("</value>\r\n</member>\r\n");
+
+    } // end while
+
+    b.append("</struct>\r\n");
+    return b.toString();
+
+  } // end serializeMap
+
+  public final String serializeString(String s)
+  {
+    if (s==null)
+      return "<string></string>";
+    return "<string>" + StringUtil.encodeHTML(s) + "</string>";
+
+  } // end serializeString
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * External static operations
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public static final synchronized XmlRpcSerializer get()
+  {
+    if (self==null)
+      self = new XmlRpcSerializer();
+    return self;
+
+  } // end get
+
+} // end class XmlRpcSerializer

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcServlet.java

@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.io.*;
+import java.util.*;
+import javax.servlet.*;
+import javax.servlet.http.*;
+import org.apache.regexp.*;
+import com.silverwrist.util.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.core.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.config.RootConfig;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.servlet.BaseServlet;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.servlet.RequestImpl;
+
+public class XmlRpcServlet extends BaseServlet
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Inner class that implements the actual "normal" return value
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  static class XmlRpcReturnValue implements ContentExecute
+  {
+    private Object obj;
+
+    XmlRpcReturnValue(Object obj)
+    {
+      this.obj = obj;
+
+    } // end constructor
+
+    public void execute(RequestExec req) throws IOException
+    {
+      StringBuffer b =
+	  new StringBuffer("<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\r\n<methodResponse><params><param>\r\n<value>");
+      try
+      { // serialize the returned object
+	XmlRpcSerializer serializer = XmlRpcSerializer.get();
+	b.append(serializer.serialize(obj));
+
+      } // end try
+      catch (XmlRpcFault f)
+      { // if we get a fault here, just execute THAT instead
+	f.execute(req);
+	return;
+
+      } // end catch
+
+      b.append("</value>\r\n</param></params></methodResponse>\r\n");
+      byte[] raw = b.toString().getBytes("UTF-8");
+      req.sendBinary("text/xml",raw);
+
+    } // end execute
+
+  } // end class XmlRpcReturnValue
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static final String METHOD_LIST_ATTR = "ui.xmlrpc.MethodList";
+
+  public static final String OBJECT_CLASS_CACHE_ATTR = "ui.xmlrpc.class.ObjectCache";
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Overrides from class BaseServlet
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  protected void init(ServletConfig config, ServletContext ctxt, VeniceEngine engine, RootConfig root,
+		      String root_file_path)
+  {
+    List methods = root.getXmlRpcMethods();
+    RequestImpl.setAppAttribute(ctxt,METHOD_LIST_ATTR,methods);
+    RequestImpl.setAppAttribute(ctxt,OBJECT_CLASS_CACHE_ATTR,Collections.synchronizedMap(new HashMap()));
+
+  } // end init
+
+  protected VeniceUISessionFactory getSessionFactory()
+  {
+    return NullSession.get();  // null session by default
+
+  } // end getSessionFactory
+
+  protected Object translateServletException(RequestInput ri, Exception e)
+  {
+    return null;
+
+  } // end translateServletException
+
+  public Object process(RequestInput req)
+  {
+    XmlRpcRequest xreq;
+    try
+    { // get the XML-RPC request structure
+      xreq = new XmlRpcRequest(req.getRequestDocument());
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (XmlRpcFault f)
+    { // return the fault structure
+      return f;
+
+    } // end catch
+
+    // Prepare the parameters map
+    int i;
+    HashMap param_repl_map = new HashMap();
+    for (i=0; i<xreq.getParamCount(); i++)
+    { // fill in the parameters...
+      Object obj = xreq.getParam(i);
+      if ((obj instanceof String) || (obj instanceof Integer) || (obj instanceof Double))
+	param_repl_map.put("param." + i,obj.toString());
+
+    } // end for
+
+    // Find an appropriate method to handle this call.
+    List methods = (List)(req.getAppAttribute(METHOD_LIST_ATTR));
+    boolean rescan = false;
+    RE matcher = new RE();
+    String the_name = xreq.getMethod();
+    XmlRpcMethod meth = null;
+    HashMap sub_map;
+    do
+    { // search for a method
+      rescan = false;
+      Iterator it = methods.iterator();
+      boolean found = false;
+      while (!found && it.hasNext())
+      { // look for a match on the method name
+	meth = (XmlRpcMethod)(it.next());
+	meth.configureMatcher(matcher);
+	found = matcher.match(the_name);
+
+      } // end while
+
+      if (!found)  // method not found
+	return new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.METHOD_NOT_FOUND,"Method not found: " + the_name);
+
+      // prepare the substitution map
+      sub_map = (HashMap)(param_repl_map.clone());
+      int ct = matcher.getParenCount();
+      for (i=0; i<=ct; i++)
+	sub_map.put("match." + i,matcher.getParen(i));
+
+      String remap = meth.getRemap();
+      if (remap!=null)
+      { // substitute in variables and rescan
+	the_name = StringUtil.replaceAllVariables(remap,sub_map);
+	rescan = true;
+
+      } // end if
+
+    } while (rescan);
+
+    try
+    { // dispatch the method call
+      Object rc = meth.dispatch(req,xreq,sub_map);
+      if (rc==null)
+	rc = new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.APPLICATION_ERROR,"no return value");
+      else if (rc instanceof Exception)
+	rc = new XmlRpcFault((Exception)rc);
+      else if (!(rc instanceof XmlRpcFault))
+	rc = new XmlRpcReturnValue(rc);
+      return rc;
+
+    } // end try
+    catch (Exception e)
+    { // if there's an exception, turn it into a "Fault" message
+      return new XmlRpcFault(e);
+
+    } // end catch
+    catch (XmlRpcFault f)
+    { // pass faults right on up
+      return f;
+
+    } // end catch
+
+  } // end process
+
+} // end class XmlRpcServlet

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/rpc/XmlRpcTestHandler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.rpc;
+
+import java.util.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.*;
+
+public class XmlRpcTestHandler implements XmlRpcDispatch
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructor
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public XmlRpcTestHandler()
+  { // do nothing
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface XmlRpcDispatch
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public Object dispatch(RequestInput req, XmlRpcRequest xreq, Map environment) throws Exception, XmlRpcFault
+  {
+    if (xreq.getMethod().equals("venice:test.sumDifference"))
+    { // do the sumdifference API
+      if (xreq.getParamCount()!=2)
+	throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_PARAMS,"parameter count mismatch");
+
+      Integer n1, n2;
+      try
+      { // cast parameters to Integer
+	n1 = (Integer)(xreq.getParam(0));
+	n2 = (Integer)(xreq.getParam(1));
+
+      } // end try
+      catch (ClassCastException e)
+      { // class cast exception!
+	throw new XmlRpcFault(XmlRpcFault.INVALID_PARAMS,"parameter type mismatch");
+
+      } // end catch
+
+      HashMap rc = new HashMap();
+      rc.put("sum",new Integer(n1.intValue() + n2.intValue()));
+      rc.put("difference",new Integer(n1.intValue() - n2.intValue()));
+      return rc;
+
+    } // end if
+
+    return null;
+
+  } // end dispatch
+
+} // end class XmlRpcTestHandler

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/servlet/BaseServlet.java

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  * 
  * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
  * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
- * Copyright (C) 2001 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * Copyright (C) 2001-02 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
  * 
  * Contributor(s): 
  */
@@ -34,6 +34,38 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.script.ScriptManagerContainer;
 
 public abstract class BaseServlet extends HttpServlet
 {
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Internal session factory object 
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  static class HttpSessionFactory implements VeniceUISessionFactory
+  {
+    private static final String ATTR_NAME = VeniceUISession.class.getName();
+
+    HttpSessionFactory()
+    { // do nothing
+    } // end constructor
+
+    public VeniceUISession createSession(ServletContext ctxt, HttpServletRequest request,
+					 HttpServletResponse response, VeniceEngine engine,
+					 RootConfig config) throws ServletException
+    {
+      HttpSession session = request.getSession(true);
+      VeniceUISession rc = (VeniceUISession)(session.getAttribute(ATTR_NAME));
+      if (rc==null)
+      { // return a new session
+	rc = new HttpVeniceUISession(request,session,engine);
+	session.setAttribute(ATTR_NAME,rc);
+
+      } // end if
+
+      return rc;
+
+    } // end createSession
+
+  } // end class HttpSessionFactory
+
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Static data members
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -49,6 +81,8 @@ public abstract class BaseServlet extends HttpServlet
 
   private static Category logger = Category.getInstance(BaseServlet.class);
 
+  private static VeniceUISessionFactory factory = new HttpSessionFactory();
+
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Internal operations
    *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -56,14 +90,16 @@ public abstract class BaseServlet extends HttpServlet
 
   private Object translateException(RequestInput req, Exception e)
   {
+    // try the servlet first
+    Object rc = translateServletException(req,e);
+    if (rc!=null)
+      return rc;
+
+    // otherwise, go it alone
     logger.info("BaseServlet.translateException translating exception",e);
     if (e instanceof ScriptingException)
       return new ErrorBox("Scripting Error",e,null);
 
-    // Last-ditch effort: get the specific servlet to translate the exception.
-    Object rc = translateServletException(req,e);
-    if (rc!=null)
-      return rc;
     return new ErrorBox("Unhandled Exception Detected!",e.toString(),e,null);
 
   } // end translateException
@@ -77,13 +113,41 @@ public abstract class BaseServlet extends HttpServlet
     try
     { // create the actual request implementation
       ServletContext ctxt = getServletContext();
-      RequestImpl the_request =
+      RequestImpl the_request = null;
-          new RequestImpl(ctxt,request,response,(VeniceEngine)(ctxt.getAttribute(ENGINE_ATTRIBUTE)),
+      try
-			  (RootConfig)(ctxt.getAttribute(UICONFIG_ATTRIBUTE)));
+      { // create the request object
+        the_request = new RequestImpl(ctxt,request,response,
+				      (VeniceEngine)(ctxt.getAttribute(ENGINE_ATTRIBUTE)),
+				      (RootConfig)(ctxt.getAttribute(UICONFIG_ATTRIBUTE)),
+				      getSessionFactory());
+
+      } // end try
+      catch (ValidationException ve)
+      { // error in formatting of the request - bug out
+	response.sendError(HttpServletResponse.SC_BAD_REQUEST,ve.toString());
+	return;
+
+      } // end catch
+
       String default_location = the_request.getLocation();
 
       // log the username with all log messages, if the user is logged in
-      boolean record_user = the_request.getUser().isLoggedIn();
+      boolean record_user = false;
+      if (the_request.sessionBound())
+      { // has the session been bound?
+	try
+	{ // find out whether they're logged in
+	  record_user = the_request.getUser().isLoggedIn();
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (IllegalStateException e)
+	{ // if not, just forget about it
+	  record_user = false;
+
+	} // end catch
+
+      } // end if
+
       if (record_user)
 	NDC.push(the_request.getUser().getUserName());
 
@@ -176,6 +240,12 @@ public abstract class BaseServlet extends HttpServlet
   { // default does nothing
   } // end init
 
+  protected VeniceUISessionFactory getSessionFactory()
+  {
+    return factory;
+
+  } // end getSessionFactory
+
   protected Object translateServletException(RequestInput ri, Exception e)
   {
     return null;  // does nothing by default

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/servlet/HttpVeniceUISession.java

@@ -0,0 +1,206 @@
+/*
+ * The contents of this file are subject to the Mozilla Public License Version 1.1
+ * (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at <http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/>.
+ * 
+ * Software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" basis, WITHOUT
+ * WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific
+ * language governing rights and limitations under the License.
+ * 
+ * The Original Code is the Venice Web Communities System.
+ * 
+ * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
+ * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
+ * Copyright (C) 2002 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * 
+ * Contributor(s): 
+ */
+package com.silverwrist.venice.ui.servlet;
+
+import java.util.*;
+import javax.servlet.*;
+import javax.servlet.http.*;
+import org.apache.log4j.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.core.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.except.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.*;
+
+class HttpVeniceUISession implements VeniceUISession
+{
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Static data members
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private static final String SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM = "venice.vars.";
+
+  private static Category logger = Category.getInstance(HttpVeniceUISession.class);
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Attributes
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  private HttpSession session;
+  private UserContext user;
+  private Cookie venice_cookie = null;
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Constructor
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  HttpVeniceUISession(HttpServletRequest request, HttpSession session, VeniceEngine engine)
+      throws ServletException
+  {
+    this.session = session;   // save off the session variable
+    try
+    { // tell the engine to create us a user context
+      user = engine.createUserContext(request.getRemoteAddr());
+
+      // Did the user send a Venice authentication cookie?  If so, try to use it.
+      Cookie[] cookies = request.getCookies();
+      Cookie venice_cookie = null;
+      for (int i=0; (venice_cookie==null) && (i<cookies.length); i++)
+      { // look for a Venice authentication cookie
+	if (RequestInput.LOGIN_COOKIE.equals(cookies[i].getName()))
+	  venice_cookie = cookies[i];
+
+      } // end for
+      
+    } // end try
+    catch (DataException e)
+    { // context creation failed - remap the exception
+      logger.error("Session creation failed: " + e.getMessage(),e);
+      throw new ServletException("Session creation failed: " + e.getMessage(),e);
+
+    } // end catch
+
+  } // end constructor
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface VeniceUISession
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public long getCreationTime()
+  {
+    return session.getCreationTime();
+
+  } // end getCreationTime
+
+  public String getID()
+  {
+    return session.getId();
+
+  } // end getID
+
+  public long getLastAccessedTime()
+  {
+    return session.getLastAccessedTime();
+
+  } // end getLastAccessedTime
+
+  public void setMaxInactiveInterval(int interval)
+  {
+    session.setMaxInactiveInterval(interval);
+
+  } // end setMaxInactiveInterval
+
+  public int getMaxInactiveInterval()
+  {
+    return session.getMaxInactiveInterval();
+
+  } // end getMaxInactiveInterval
+
+  public Object getAttribute(String name)
+  {
+    return session.getAttribute(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name);
+
+  } // end getAttribute
+
+  public Enumeration getAttributeNames()
+  {
+    Enumeration raw = session.getAttributeNames();
+    ArrayList rc = new ArrayList();
+    while (raw.hasMoreElements())
+    { // look for attributes we've added
+      String tmp = (String)(raw.nextElement());
+      if (tmp.startsWith(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM))
+	rc.add(tmp.substring(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM.length()));
+
+    } // end while
+
+    return Collections.enumeration(rc);
+
+  } // end getAttributeNames
+
+  public void setAttribute(String name, Object o)
+  {
+    session.setAttribute(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name,o);
+
+  } // end setAttribute
+
+  public void removeAttribute(String name)
+  {
+    session.removeAttribute(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name);
+
+  } // end removeAttribute
+
+  public void invalidate()
+  {
+    session.invalidate();
+
+  } // end invalidate
+
+  public UserContext getUser()
+  {
+    return user;
+
+  } // end getUser
+
+  public void setUser(UserContext user)
+  {
+    this.user = user;
+
+  } // end setUser
+
+  public void preprocess(RequestInput ri)
+  {
+    if (venice_cookie!=null)
+    { // try to log in with the cookie
+      try
+      { // attempt authentication
+	if (!(user.authenticateWithToken(venice_cookie.getValue())))
+	  ri.deleteCookie(RequestInput.LOGIN_COOKIE);  // delete bogus cookie if it didn't work
+
+      } // end try
+      catch (DataException de)
+      { // it didn't work...
+	ri.deleteCookie(RequestInput.LOGIN_COOKIE);
+
+      } // end catch
+
+      venice_cookie = null;
+
+    } // end if
+
+  } // end preprocess
+
+  /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   * Implementations from interface HttpSessionBindingListener
+   *--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+   */
+
+  public void valueBound(HttpSessionBindingEvent event)
+  { // do nothing
+  } // end valueBound
+
+  public void valueUnbound(HttpSessionBindingEvent event)
+  {
+    this.session = null;
+    this.user = null;
+
+  } // end valueUnbound
+
+} // end class HttpVeniceUISession

src/com/silverwrist/venice/ui/servlet/RequestImpl.java

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
  * 
  * The Initial Developer of the Original Code is Eric J. Bowersox <erbo@silcom.com>,
  * for Silverwrist Design Studios.  Portions created by Eric J. Bowersox are
- * Copyright (C) 2001 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
+ * Copyright (C) 2001-02 Eric J. Bowersox/Silverwrist Design Studios.  All Rights Reserved.
  * 
  * Contributor(s): 
  */
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.CommunityMenu;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.Menu;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.menus.MenuComponent;
 import com.silverwrist.venice.ui.script.*;
+import com.silverwrist.venice.util.XMLLoader;
 
 public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 {
@@ -553,9 +554,6 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
   private static final String STYLESHEET_ATTRIBUTE = "com.silverwrist.venice.rendering.StyleSheet";
   private static final String APP_ATTRIBUTE_STEM = "com.silverwrist.venice.ui.variables.";
 
-  private static final String USERCTXT_ATTRIBUTE = "user.context";
-  private static final String SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM = "venice.vars.";
-
   public static final String REQUEST_CONTENT = "com.silverwrist.venice.ui.Content";
   public static final String REQUEST_INPUT = "com.silverwrist.venice.ui.RequestInput";
   public static final String REQUEST_OUTPUT = "com.silverwrist.venice.ui.RequestOutput";
@@ -569,10 +567,9 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
   private ServletContext ctxt;                           // the servlet context
   private HttpServletRequest request;                    // the servlet request data
   private HttpServletResponse response;                  // the servlet response data
-  private HttpSession session;                           // the current HTTP session
+  private VeniceUISession session;                       // the current HTTP session
   private VeniceEngine engine;                           // the Venice engine context
   private RootConfig config;                             // the UI configuration data
-  private UserContext user;                              // the current user context
   private ServletMultipartHandler mphandler = null;      // if this is a multipart/form-data POST
   private ArrayList new_cookies = null;                  // cookies to be added to the response
   private boolean end_response = true;                   // do we need to properly end the response?
@@ -585,6 +582,7 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
   private DateFormat activity_time = null;               // format to use for activity string times
   private CommunityContext community = null;             // the current community
   private LinkedList auto_cleanup = null;                // auto-cleanup callbacks
+  private Document request_doc = null;                   // request parsed as an XML document
 
   /*--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Constructor
@@ -592,94 +590,88 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
    */
 
   RequestImpl(ServletContext ctxt, HttpServletRequest request, HttpServletResponse response,
-	      VeniceEngine engine, RootConfig config) throws ServletException
+	      VeniceEngine engine, RootConfig config, VeniceUISessionFactory factory)
+      throws ServletException, ValidationException
   {
     // Set up the basic variables.
     this.ctxt = ctxt;
     this.request = request;
     this.response = response;
-    this.session = request.getSession(true);
     this.engine = engine;
     this.config = config;
 
-    // Create or retrieve the user context.
+    if (request.getMethod().equals("POST"))
-    user = (UserContext)(session.getAttribute(USERCTXT_ATTRIBUTE));
+    { // POSTs can have special handling for the request data
-    if (user==null)
+      if (request.getContentType().startsWith("text/xml"))
-    { // the user context isn't present yet
+      { // this is some sort of XML-based request - parse it into a DOM tree
+	XMLLoader loader = XMLLoader.get();
+	try
+	{ // load the document
+	  request_doc = loader.loadPostData(request.getInputStream()); // may throw ValidationException
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (IOException ioe)
+	{ // IO exception...sigh
+	  logger.error("IO error loading request document",ioe);
+	  throw new ServletException("IO error loading request document: " + ioe.toString(),ioe);
+
+	} // end catch
+
+      } // end if
+      else if (ServletMultipartHandler.canHandle(request))
+      { // if this is a multipart/form-data POST, create the handler object
+	try
+	{ // use the multipart handler and get something
+	  mphandler = new ServletMultipartHandler(request);
+
+	} // end try
+	catch (ServletMultipartException smpe)
+	{ // unable to parse POST data for some reason
+	  logger.error("Multipart data acquisition failed: " + smpe.getMessage(),smpe);
+	  throw new ValidationException("invalid multipart request: " + smpe.getMessage(),smpe);
+
+	} // end catch
+
+      } // end else if
+
+    } // end if
+
+    // Create the UI session.
+    session = factory.createSession(ctxt,request,response,engine,config);
+    session.preprocess(this);
+
+    if (!(session instanceof NullSession))
+    { // read the user's preferred locale
       try
-      { // tell the engine to create us a user context
+      { // get the user default locale
-	user = engine.createUserContext(request.getRemoteAddr());
+	my_locale = session.getUser().getLocale();
-
-	// Did the user send a Venice authentication cookie?  If so, try to use it.
-	Cookie[] cookies = request.getCookies();
-	Cookie venice_cookie = null;
-	for (int i=0; (venice_cookie==null) && (i<cookies.length); i++)
-	{ // look for a Venice authentication cookie
-	  if (LOGIN_COOKIE.equals(cookies[i].getName()))
-	    venice_cookie = cookies[i];
-
-	} // end for
-
-	if (venice_cookie!=null)
-	{ // attempt to authenticate with this cookie
-	  if (!(user.authenticateWithToken(venice_cookie.getValue())))
-	    deleteCookie(LOGIN_COOKIE);  // delete bogus cookie if it didn't work
-
-	} // end if
-	// else don't authenticate, stay in the "anonymous" state
-
-	// Save the user context.
-	session.setAttribute(USERCTXT_ATTRIBUTE,user);
 
       } // end try
-      catch (DataException e)
+      catch (DataException de)
-      { // context creation failed - remap the exception
+      { // locale problems...
-	logger.error("Session creation failed: " + e.getMessage(),e);
+	my_locale = Locale.getDefault();
-	throw new ServletException("Session creation failed: " + e.getMessage(),e);
+
+      } // end catch
+
+      // read the user's preferred time zone
+      try
+      { // get the user default timezone
+	my_timezone = session.getUser().getTimeZone();
+
+      } // end try
+      catch (DataException de)
+      { // time zone problems...
+	my_timezone = TimeZone.getDefault();
 
       } // end catch
 
     } // end if
-
+    else
-    if (request.getMethod().equals("POST") && ServletMultipartHandler.canHandle(request))
+    { // just default locale/timezone
-    { // if this is a multipart/form-data POST, create the handler object
-      try
-      { // use the multipart handler and get something
-	mphandler = new ServletMultipartHandler(request);
-
-      } // end try
-      catch (ServletMultipartException smpe)
-      { // unable to parse POST data for some reason
-	logger.error("Multipart data acquisition failed: " + smpe.getMessage(),smpe);
-	throw new ServletException("Unable to retrieve parameters: " + smpe.getMessage(),smpe);
-
-      } // end catch
-
-    } // end if
-
-    // read the user's preferred locale
-    try
-    { // get the user default locale
-      my_locale = user.getLocale();
-
-    } // end try
-    catch (DataException de)
-    { // locale problems...
       my_locale = Locale.getDefault();
-
-    } // end catch
-
-    // read the user's preferred time zone
-    try
-    { // get the user default timezone
-      my_timezone = user.getTimeZone();
-
-    } // end try
-    catch (DataException de)
-    { // time zone problems...
       my_timezone = TimeZone.getDefault();
 
-    } // end catch
+    } // end else
 
     // Come up with a "first guess" at the location.
     StringBuffer loc_buf = new StringBuffer(request.getServletPath());
@@ -865,8 +857,17 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   } // end getSourceAddress
 
+  public void endSession()
+  {
+    session.invalidate();
+    session = null;
+
+  } // end endSession
+
   public boolean hasParameter(String name)
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return false;
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.hasParameter(name);
     else
@@ -876,6 +877,8 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public String getParameter(String name)
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return null;
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.getValue(name);
     else
@@ -942,6 +945,8 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public Enumeration getParameterNames()
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return Collections.enumeration(Collections.EMPTY_LIST);
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.getNames();
     else
@@ -951,6 +956,8 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public String[] getParameterValues(String name)
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return new String[0];
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.getParamValues(name);
     else
@@ -960,6 +967,8 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public boolean isFileParam(String name)
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return false;
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.isFileParam(name);
     else
@@ -969,6 +978,8 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public String getParameterType(String name)
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return null;
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.getContentType(name);
     else
@@ -978,6 +989,8 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public int getParameterSize(String name)
   {
+    if (request_doc!=null)
+      return -1;
     if (mphandler!=null)
       return mphandler.getContentSize(name);
     else
@@ -998,6 +1011,18 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   } // end getParameterDataStream
 
+  public Document getRequestDocument()
+  {
+    return request_doc;
+
+  } // end getRequestDocument
+
+  public boolean sessionBound()
+  {
+    return ((session!=null) && !(session instanceof NullSession));
+
+  } // end sessionBound
+
   public boolean isImageButtonClicked(String name)
   {
     return this.hasParameter(name + ".x");
@@ -1018,13 +1043,16 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public Object getSessionAttribute(String name)
   {
-    return getSessionAttribute(session,name);
+    return session.getAttribute(name);
 
   } // end getSessionAttribute
 
   public void setSessionAttribute(String name, Object o)
   {
-    setSessionAttribute(session,name,o);
+    if (o==null)
+      session.removeAttribute(name);
+    else
+      session.setAttribute(name,o);
 
   } // end setSessionAttribute
 
@@ -1075,17 +1103,13 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public UserContext getUser()
   {
-    return user;
+    return session.getUser();
 
   } // end getUser
 
   public void replaceUser(UserContext new_user)
   {
-    if (new_user==null)
+    session.setUser(new_user);
-      session.removeAttribute(USERCTXT_ATTRIBUTE);
-    else
-      session.setAttribute(USERCTXT_ATTRIBUTE,new_user);
-    user = new_user;
 
   } // end replaceUser
 
@@ -1332,6 +1356,7 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   public Content[] getSideBoxes() throws AccessError, DataException
   {
+    UserContext user = session.getUser();
     SideBoxManager sbmgr = config.getSideBoxManager();
     List descrs = user.getSideBoxList();
     Content[] rc = new Content[descrs.size()];
@@ -1399,7 +1424,7 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
     try
     { // turn the string into a community ID, and thence to a CommunityContext
       int tmp_id = Integer.parseInt(parm);
-      community = user.getCommunityContext(tmp_id);
+      community = session.getUser().getCommunityContext(tmp_id);
       if (community==null)
       { // trap any null results (may not be possible with communities, but you never know)
 	logger.error("Community #" + tmp_id + " was not found!");
@@ -1532,36 +1557,6 @@ public class RequestImpl implements RequestInput
 
   } // end setAppAttribute
 
-  public final static Object getSessionAttribute(HttpSession session, String name)
-  {
-    return session.getAttribute(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name);
-
-  } // end getSessionAttribute
-
-  public final static void setSessionAttribute(HttpSession session, String name, Object o)
-  {
-    if (o==null)
-      session.removeAttribute(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name);
-    else
-      session.setAttribute(SESSION_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name,o);
-
-  } // end setSessionAttribute
-
-  public final static Object getSessionAttribute(HttpServletRequest request, String name)
-  {
-    HttpSession session = request.getSession(true);
-    return ((session!=null) ? getSessionAttribute(session,name) : null);
-
-  } // end getSessionAttribute
-
-  public final static void setSessionAttribute(HttpServletRequest request, String name, Object o)
-  {
-    HttpSession session = request.getSession(true);
-    if (session!=null)
-      setSessionAttribute(session,name,o);
-
-  } // end setSessionAttribute
-
   public final static Object getRequestAttribute(ServletRequest request, String name)
   {
     return request.getAttribute(REQUEST_ATTRIBUTE_STEM + name);

src/com/silverwrist/venice/util/XMLLoader.java

@@ -181,6 +181,17 @@ public class XMLLoader
 
   } // end configGetRootElement
 
+  public final Element postGetRootElement(Document doc, String expected_name) throws ValidationException
+  {
+    Element rc = doc.getDocumentElement();
+    if (rc.getTagName().equals(expected_name))
+      return rc;  // we're OK
+    logger.fatal("posted document is not a <" + expected_name + "/> document (actual root tag: <"
+		 + rc.getTagName() + "/>)");
+    throw new ValidationException("root element is not \"" + expected_name + "\"");
+
+  } // end postGetRootElement
+
   public final String configGetText(DOMElementHelper h) throws ConfigException
   {
     String rc = h.getElementText();
@@ -189,7 +200,7 @@ public class XMLLoader
     logger.fatal("<" + h.getElement().getTagName() + "/> has no value");
     throw new ConfigException("no data value found in <" + h.getElement().getTagName() + "/>",h.getElement());
 
-  } // end configGetSubElementText
+  } // end configGetText
 
   public final String configGetText(Element elt) throws ConfigException
   {
@@ -208,12 +219,29 @@ public class XMLLoader
 
   } // end configGetSubElementText
 
+  public final String postGetSubElementText(DOMElementHelper h, String elt_name) throws ValidationException
+  {
+    String rc = h.getSubElementText(elt_name);
+    if (rc!=null)
+      return rc;  // we're OK
+    logger.fatal("<" + h.getElement().getTagName() + "/> has no <" + elt_name + "/> element");
+    throw new ValidationException("no \"" + elt_name + "\" element found in \""
+				  + h.getElement().getTagName() + "\"");
+
+  } // end postGetSubElementText
+
   public final String configGetSubElementText(Element elt, String subelt_name) throws ConfigException
   {
     return configGetSubElementText(new DOMElementHelper(elt),subelt_name);
 
   } // end configGetSubElementText
 
+  public final String postGetSubElementText(Element elt, String subelt_name) throws ValidationException
+  {
+    return postGetSubElementText(new DOMElementHelper(elt),subelt_name);
+
+  } // end postGetSubElementText
+
   public final Element configGetSubSection(DOMElementHelper h, String sect_name) throws ConfigException
   {
     Element rc = h.getSubElement(sect_name);
@@ -225,12 +253,29 @@ public class XMLLoader
 
   } // end configGetSubElementText
 
+  public final Element postGetSubSection(DOMElementHelper h, String sect_name) throws ValidationException
+  {
+    Element rc = h.getSubElement(sect_name);
+    if (rc!=null)
+      return rc;  // we're OK
+    logger.fatal("<" + h.getElement().getTagName() + "/> has no <" + sect_name + "/> element");
+    throw new ValidationException("no \"" + sect_name + "\" element found in \""
+				  + h.getElement().getTagName() + "\"");
+
+  } // end postGetSubSection
+
   public final Element configGetSubSection(Element sect, String subsect_name) throws ConfigException
   {
     return configGetSubSection(new DOMElementHelper(sect),subsect_name);
 
   } // end configGetSubSection
 
+  public final Element postGetSubSection(Element sect, String subsect_name) throws ValidationException
+  {
+    return postGetSubSection(new DOMElementHelper(sect),subsect_name);
+
+  } // end postGetSubSection
+
   public final void configVerifyNodeName(Node n, String name, Element enclosing_sect) throws ConfigException
   {
     if (n.getNodeName().equals(name))