# Vaadin – thinking of U and I

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## Sampler

See all Vaadin Framework core components and their features in action in the Sampler! Sources for all samples are available for you to see and use.

Start Sampler »

### More Reasons to Choose Vaadin

- #### Efficient Programming Model

  ##### Server-side Java

  Forget about HTML, Javascript, the browser and RPC, you're working with server-side Java code. This separates Vaadin from client-oriented Java frameworks such as GWT.

  ##### Code Examples

  - ###### Hello World – The classic example

    HelloWorld.java • Run the app »

  - ###### Calculator – Simple logic & event handling

    Calc.java • Run the app »

  ##### Architecture Diagram

  Learn how Vaadin integrates with different platforms and other frameworks, and where your code fits in.

  ##### Short Development Example

  Watch how to create a document editor application from scratch in less than 10 minutes using Eclipse and the Vaadin Eclipse Plugin.

  Vaadin step-by-step (10 min)

  ##### Browser independent

  Leave the browser compatibility issues to Vaadin and focus on developing your application. All components in Vaadin are compatible with

  - Internet Explorer 6+
  - Mozilla Firefox 3+
  - Safari 3+
  - Opera 10
  - Google Chrome 4

  ##### No plugins required

  Vaadin is based on javascript and does not require the end user to install any plugins.

  ##### More Resources

  - Framework comparison
  - Learn more from vaadin.com

- #### Flexible Theming

  ##### Looks the Way You Want It To

  Vaadin comes with two great themes to get you started. Since individual apps have individual needs, Vaadin makes it easy to customize the look of your application using only CSS.

  ##### Built-in Themes

  ReindeerOne theme – multiple looks
  RunoClean and easy to extend

  ##### Additional Themes & Demos

  Chameleon ThemeCreate your own theme in seconds Available in Vaadin Directory
  VaadinTunesAdvanced layout and theme example Source code

  ##### More Resources

  - Browse the themes category in Vaadin Directory
  - Themes section of Book of Vaadin

- #### Extending, Packaging and Distributing

  ##### Extend or Create your Own Components

  Extend the existing components or create brand new ones using Java and GWT. Server communication is handled automatically, you only provide the state information to be sent.

  - More information on developing components

  ##### Add-on Architecture

  Vaadin has a unique add-on architecture. Add-ons, such as new components can be packaged as single JARs, which can then be used in other projects just by adding them to the project's classpath.

  ##### Vaadin Directory

  Vaadin Directory contains dozens of useful add-ons of all kinds. See what others have done or distribute your own add-ons for others to use.

  ##### Integrating Add-ons

  Integrating add-ons from Vaadin Directory into your project is as easy as downloading them and recompiling the widgetset. The video below demonstrates the process.

  - Using Vaadin add-ons
  Downloading and integrating an add-on from Vaadin Directory (4 min)

  ##### Packaging Add-ons

  Create re-usable add-ons that you can share in Vaadin Directory. Visit the link or see the video for an example on how to package your add-on.

  - How to create Vaadin add-ons
  Creating and packaging a Vaadin component (2 min)

- #### Best Documentation Around

  ##### Book of Vaadin

  ###### Documentation Is The Key to Understanding

  The Book of Vaadin provides you with all the information you need about Vaadin in a comprehensive form. It's available in PDF format, as an online version and as a physical book.

  ##### DZone Refcard

  For a quick introduction to Vaadin, check out the DZone Vaadin Refcard

  ##### Tutorials

  Vaadin tutorials provides you with a code-centric introduction to Vaadin.

  - Building a simple address book
  - More tutorials

  ##### API

  When you get down to programming, the Vaadin API Reference Documentation will help you with the classes and the methods.

- #### Easy Deployment

  ##### Single JAR

  Vaadin is a single JAR file without external dependencies. Add the JAR to your web application project and you are ready to start creating the user interface.

  ##### Servlet Deployment

  Vaadin provides a single servlet which runs the application. An application can be deployed to any Java application server that supports servlet 2.3 or newer.

  ##### Portlet Support

  Vaadin applications can be deployed as portlets in portals such as Liferay. No code modifications are needed to deploy a Vaadin application to a portal and both portlet standards 1.0 (JSR-168) and 2.0 (JSR-286) are supported. Vaadin is included in Liferay 6.0 as a standard feature.

  ##### Supported Application Servers

  - Apache Tomcat, 4.1+
  - BEA WebLogic, 9.2+
  - IBM WebSphere Application Server 6.1+
  - JBoss Application Server 3.2.8+
  - Jetty 5+
  - Glassfish 2+

  ##### Supported Portals

  - Liferay Portal 4.3 or later

  ##### Google App Engine

  The same servlet and portlet Vaadin applications can be deployed to Google App Engine, provided they are built to be serializable.

- #### Develop With Tools You Already Know

  ##### Eclipse

  Vaadin provides an Eclipse plugin which automatically sets up your project, compiles your widgetset and more.

  - Eclipse plugin update site and instructions

  ##### NetBeans

  A community created Vaadin NetBeans plugin is available for all NetBeans developers.

  - NetBeans plugin installation instructions

  ##### Maven

  Vaadin is in the central Maven repository, providing archetypes for creating Vaadin projects and a widgetset compilation plugin for Maven.

  - Using Vaadin with Maven

  ##### Any IDE / automated build system (Ant)

  Ant integration is provided for users of any IDE, for automatic build systems and for users preferring to not using an IDE.

  - Example widgetset build script

- #### Free for Everybody

  ##### Apache Software License 2.0

  Vaadin is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0 which means you can use it both for non-commercial and commercial projects free of charge.

  - License information

- #### Be a Part of the Vaadin Community

  ##### Forums

  The forums are very active and a good place to ask questions, help others, discuss your latest ideas or just share what you have done.

  - Start discussing

  ##### Wiki

  The Vaadin wiki is a place where you can find out the best way to use Vaadin, how to integrate it with various other systems such as Spring or JEE6. Read what others have done or write down how you do things.

  - Vaadin wiki

  ##### Vaadin Directory

  Add-ons for Vaadin are distributed through Vaadin Directory. See what others have done, get ideas or create and share your own.

  - Vaadin Directory

  ##### Bug Tracker

  Found a problem in Vaadin? Maybe you fixed it yourself already? Report it through the Vaadin bug tracker so everybody else also can benefit from your findings.

  - Vaadin bug tracker

  ##### More Resources

  - Read the Vaadin Blog
  - Follow Vaadin on twitter
  - Chat with other Vaadin users