com.gwtplatform.dispatch.annotation

Annotation Type GenDto

@Target(value=TYPE)
@Retention(value=RUNTIME)
@Inherited
public @interface GenDto

Annotation to generate simple Data Transfer Object (DTO) classes solely for transferring data between the client and the server.

If you type:

 
 @GenDto
 public class LineItem {
   Key<Product> productKey;
   int quantity;
 }
 
 

gwt-platform will generate a LineItemDto class.

LineItemDto will have fields, getters, and a constructor that takes productKey and quantity plus equals, hashCode, toString etc,

LineItemDto could be used when creating an invoice.

 
 @GenDispatch
 public class CreateInvoice {
   @In Key<Customer> customerKey
   @In LineItemDto[] lineItems
   @Out Invoice invoice;
 }
 
 

The alternative to using Dto classes would be to construct persistable LineItem objects on the client and send them as part of the gwt-rpc call. Using Dto classes is a better choice because:

• Lower bandwidth.
• The client cannot be trusted. The LineItem persistable object will probably have a price field. The server should ignore the price as it may have been tampered with.

Notes:

There is no naming requirement for your class name. It will be appended with Dto

Author:

Brendan Doherty, Florian Sauter, Stephen Haberman (concept)