Network Deployment (Distributed operating systems), v8.0 > End-to-end paths > Communications enabled applications
Sharing data across two sessions with REST APIs
We can build cobrowsing into applications using REST APIs. A cobrowsing session allows two web users to share the same browsing session using side-by-side modal windows. One user controls the session; the other user has no control, but can view the activity of the other user.
An understanding of the Representational State Transfer (REST) interface is needed to perform this task. REST is a network architecture that defines how resources on the Internet are accessed. REST is not a standard, but uses common Internet standards such as HTTP and HTML.
See the information on REST APIs in CEA for a complete reference to the REST API. JAX-WS
Communications enabled applications (CEA) enables application developers to add web interaction features into new and existing applications. Cobrowsing refers to two web users sharing the same browsing session. It is not the same as screen sharing, but does have some similarities. After a cobrowsing session is established, modal windows are displayed in both web browsers. The user controlling the session has the ability to scroll the web page, highlight and point to text, and enter data into forms. The other user has no control, but can see everything the other user is doing. This type of web collaboration is ideal for a customer service representative working with a customer, where a quick demonstration would be more effective than an explanation on the phone. This feature provides customizable widgets that allow application developers to easily import the web collaboration capability into a new or existing application. The widget communicates with the application server through a REST interface.
Procedure
- Enable the system application.
- Develop a new application that calls the REST interface.
- Install and start the new application.
- Test the new application.
Results
You have developed and deployed an application that is enabled with cobrowsing.