Development of a SearchComponent - How to start?

Question

I am trying to develop Search Component and I have few doubts.
1) finding jar files for development. I am using class locator to find them, but how do I include it? Should I add those jar copy in my par file? Or is the reference enough? Will be picked up from portal location during run time?
2) I am trying to dynamically change the search folder during search. Is this possible?
3) Can Search component be a simple java class or should it be a Portal Component/Service?
Thanks,
Deepak

Answer 1

Hi Deepak,
> 1) finding jar files for development. I am using class locator to find them, but how do I include it?
At build time through the .classpath file, which ClassLocator does for you. At runtime through the (Private)SharingReference reference within portalapp.xml.
> Should I add those jar copy in my par file?
No, never!!!
> Or is the reference enough? Will be picked up from portal location during run time?
Yes. See http://help.sap.com/saphelp_erp2004/helpdata/en/3d/571140d72dc442e10000000a1550b0/frameset.htm and around.
> 2) I am trying to dynamically change the search folder during search. Is this possible?
I'm unsure what you mean exactly, but of course it is possible to define under which folder the search should start. Obviously, as you may allow the end user to pick up such a folder!
> 3) Can Search component be a simple java class or should it be a Portal Component/Service?
It is a class; nevertheless, you need a dummy service within your project which adds your classloader to the CrtClassloaderRegistry.
See https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/41cbcb56-0701-0010-43b4-fbc138ea2b6a for more details; the docu has some bugs, but should be helpful to understand how all things work together.
Hope it helps
Detlev