Working with the Mashlet API and Framework

You use the Presto Mashlet API to develop custom mashlets with complete control over the mashlet’s look, feel and behavior. Custom mashlets can invoke Presto services, just as basic mashlets can, but they are not limited to a selection of simple views. See the Mashlet Architecture topic for an overview of mashlets and the Mashlet Framework in Presto.

Note: you can also change the styles for basic mashlets to customize their look to your requirements.

To create custom mashlets, you implement a mashlet type with the Mashlet API and any other resources needed for the mashlet to work. See Implementing a Custom Mashlet Type for instructions. See web-apps-home/mashlets for samples of custom mashlet types.

You must also add and configure the mashlet type in the Mashlet Framework for one or more Mashup Servers. See Adding a Mashlet Type to the Presto Mashlet Framework and Mashlet Type Properties for more information.

Once the mashlet type is accessible, you or other users create mashlet instances based on the mashlet type. See Making Custom Mashlets from Types for instructions. You can then access the mashlet instance directly, via a URL, or embed the mashlet in web pages or portlets. See Adding Custom Mashlet Instances to Web Pages, Adding Custom Mashlets Dynamically and Creating and Customizing Portlet Instances for Presto Mashlets for more information.

Other development topics or tasks for custom mashlets include:

Invoking Presto Services and Mashups in BoxMashlet Types

Getting and Setting Mashlet Preferences

Customizing Custom Mashlet Styles

Configuring the Box Mashlet Titlebar

Handling Mashlet Authentication

Defining Mashlet Authorization

Mashlet Error Handling

Coding/Decoding Custom Mashlet IDs

Defining Pagination for Custom Box Mashlets

Hiding/Showing Custom Mashlets

Synchronizing Custom Mashlets with Mashlet Events

Adding Other JavaScript Libraries for Custom Mashlet Types

Mashlet Path Tokens