Domino REST API is (in my admittedly somewhat biased opinion) the best easy method for creating a secure REST API into Domino. If you have very strong Java skills, an OSGi plugin using JAX-RS is the standard supported way. If you have good Java skills, Jesse Gallagher's JakartaEE project is the community approach. But even if you have those skills, Domino REST API may provide what you need. It certainly provides what I need for this project.
Many Domino developers may not have used anything other than Domino Designer. We’re stepping into a different world of development here. So we’ll be using different tools. Plural.
Until now, the series has focused on XPages. That's understandable considering my previous series that this is inspired by. However, recently it's become apparent that much of this series is relevant to a much wider audience than just XPages developers. Most web developers are used to developing with a specific framework. That's understandable considering the history of the last 20+ years. But that means this series is relevant to a much wider audience than HCL Domino developers using the JSF-based XPages framework.
Many years ago I wrote a series of blog posts on the topic of XPages to web app. At the time my target technology was Vaadin running in an OSGi plugin on Domino HTTP server (initially) and then CrossWorlds - Daniele Vistalli’s innovative approach to use Domino data via OpenNTF Domino API on a Websphere Liberty server running as a sidecar to Domino. My experience of developing with Vaadin lagged behind the technology, because it quickly evolved not only to Java 8 (and undoubtedly beyond) but used annotations which required Servlet 3.0.
There are a few people in software development who have shaped my career by their approaches. Three of those whom I'm particularly glad to have known are Nathan T. Freeman, Tim Tripcony and Jesse Gallagher. Although Tim and Nathan are no longer with us, I am fortunate enough to have experienced sessions by and with them, got to know the open source code and videos they created, and worked with them on open source projects. They were brilliant developers, willing to spend time with those who wanted to learn and give back. Fortunately, I'm still able to draw on the knowledge of Jesse and the XPages community should be rewarding him for his continued work. And when you encounter such clever people, it's foolish not to want to learn all you can.