In this tutorial, we will be building a very simple RESTful interface for auctions. The interface will be implemented as a Java servlet, presenting auction items and bids as REST resources. We will also develop a simple web-based client to access this service.

The service will allow:

• Creation, viewing, modification, and deletion of items for auction
• Placing bids on items

This tutorial is written primarily from the point of view of a Linux user. MacOS systems should be broadly similar to Linux. If you are using Windows, some of the details (such as the style of filenames, command prompts, and use of system variables) will be different.

The tutorial consists of several subsections. Each one will set up a feature of the service, building on the previous work. At the end of the tutorial, you will have a complete (if limited) REST application and API. There is quite a lot of material in the tutorial; if you don’t finish in the time available in the session, you can continue through the tutorial later (but don’t do it during someone else’s tutorial!)

1. Setting up the environment
2. Creating the servlet
3. Handling the GET verb
4. Basic web client
5. Adding items to the database
6. Adding items, client-side
7. Deleting an item from the database
8. POST revisited - bidding
9. Further work
10. References