The page in which the content is included is known as the desktop. The various sources of content are displayed in rectangular areas arranged in rows and columns within the desktop called channels. A Java class, called a provider, is responsible for converting the content in a file, or the output of an application or service into the proper format for a channel. A number of providers are shipped with the Portal Server including a bookmark provider, an application provider, and a notes provider. As the desktop is imaged, each provider is queried in turn for the content of its associated channel.
Some providers are capable of generating multiple channels based upon their configuration.
This chapter details the basics of developing new content channels for the desktop and introduces a sample provider. The content for the columns will be provided by providers, which are custom Java classes. The Java classes are invoked by the desktop Servlet and the output is inserted into the output of the entire desktop for display. Each provider may define the look of the content section of part, or, the whole layout. Channels can define their width as either thick or thin.