This page contains an overview of features that are currently present in one or both of the frameworks, plus features that we would like to add.
.NET version
| Feature | Implementation in DD4T | Implementation in DXA | Preferred solution | Discussion |
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| ViewModels | - Attribute-driven
- Schema and view determine the model
- Possible to add your own attributes
- Pages + ComponentPresentations (No regions)
- Two-step approach (1. deserialize into page/cp, 2. map properties to strongly typed model)
- ETC
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Not possible to add your own attributesProperties find matching fields in an embedded fieldComponentPresentations onlyTwo-step approachTo be decided | Ideal is to deserialize directly from DD4T JSON into view model.- View determines the model
- N→M schema→model mapping possible
- Can map multiple fields to a property
- Can flatten structure (search for mapped fields in embedded fields)
- ETC
| To be decided | See ViewModels for an in-depth discussion |
| Caching | - Open, extensible
- Event-based and time-based invalidation
| - Closed
- Time-based expiration
| DD4T? | We need an overall caching layer for the entire microservice (because SDL doesn't offer this at all) Enterprises want to decide on a caching solution themselves |
| Controllers |
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| - navigation.json page published from Root SG
- Based on site structure
- Simple (SG and Page title based) and Localizable (based on component content) implementations
- Logic in TBB
- Example Controller, Models and Views to implement Top nav, context nav, breadcrumb, sitemap, google sitemap
| DXA? |
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| - 1 labels JSON 'file' published per module (avoids key clashes across modules) as part of Publish Settings page publish
- Key-value pair and bespoke schema implementations supported
- Multiple labels components per module possible
| ? |
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| - Implemented in the same way as Labels/Resources
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| XPM | - Linked to ViewModels
- Helper called from views to render tags
| - Helper called from views to render tags
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View output is loaded in XML document and manipulated with XPath- XPM regions created automatically
- Also possible to edit 'include' pages with XPM (header/footer etc.)
| DD4T | Faster, no requirement to have well-formed view output |
| Modules |
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| - Standard structure for CM and CD for packaging modules
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| Installer |
| - CM installed with PowerShell script (CP package)
- CD installed with PowerShell script (IIS website)
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| Example Site |
| - Example site installed in CMS with CP package
- Contains example schemas, templates and content (pages+components)
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| HTML Design |
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| - Option to build and distribute HTML design from CMS
- Option to customize HTML design from CMS configuration
- Also possible to deploy as part of web app
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| Other |
| - Easily retrieve content in data format (JSON, RSS, Atom)
- Request-time image resizing (native and using CID)
- Integrated RESS using Context Engine
- Support for public Semantics (schema.org etc.)
- Simple broker querying
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Java version
| Feature | Implementation in DD4T | Implementation in DXA | Preferred solution | Discussion |
|---|
| ViewModels | - Attribute driven
- Straight deserialization in STMs
- n:m models possible
- Extensible
| - Two-step approach
- Support for semantics
| DD4T | Might be an option to bring semantics into the databind framework. In any case, the attribute set must be supported. |
| Caching | - Fully extensible
- Support for EHCache and Infinispan
- Event driven (JMS) and time based
- Dependency invalidation mechanism
| - Relies on DD4T provider cache
- No further caching mechanisms found
| DD4T | A form of output caching may be needed. This issue is based on a couple of DXA implementations trying to go live, but having had performance issues. |
| Controllers |
| | | Not - No support for OOTB navigation
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| DXA | It would be great if this could be modularized, if not already done. |
| Labels | - No OOTB support for Labels
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| DXA | It would be great if this could be modularized, if not already done. |
| Preview | DD4T support Session Preview OOTB, bypassing caching. |
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| Configuration | | | DD4T | Although code based configuration is cleaner, many users prefer the XML based version to make quick edits |
| Views | | | TBD |
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| Modules |
| Standard interfaces and approaches | DXA |
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| Example Site |
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| HTML Design |
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| Other |
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