I want to develop a java plugin for jira software cloud

[sharath sunkari]

I want to develop a java plugin for jira software cloud. Can i build jira cloud plugins using forge or atlassian SDK. Here i ant to use only java language. what happens if i build java plugin using SDK. what happens if i build java plugin using Forge. what is the difference between two. If possible can anyone guide me in the right direction. 

[Sushant Verma · Accepted solution]

Hi @sharath sunkari 

Welcome to the community!

Forge is a cloud app development platform provided by Atlassian that allows you to build, deploy, and manage apps for Jira Cloud. On the other hand, the Atlassian SDK is an older framework that supports plugin development for Jira Server and Data Center versions.

If you want to build a Jira Cloud plugin using only Java, you should choose Forge as your development platform. Forge does not directly support Java as a primary language, but it provides a way to create custom UI extensions using JavaScript and Forge UI components.

The main difference between using Forge and the Atlassian SDK is the underlying technology and the deployment model. Forge is designed for cloud app development, while the Atlassian SDK is more suitable for server and data center app development.

Hope it helps!

Regards,
Sushant Verma

[sharath sunkari]

Hi Sushant Verma,

1). For servers and data center versions plugins can be developed using Atlassian SDK, Can i deploy the same server application to the cloud marketplace. What is the process for deploying it to the cloud version.

2). I have installed JDK 8 and i have spring boot. Now i want to develop a plugin using java and spring framework. I have used forge commands and created a simple test application. Only node.js related folders and files have been created, but spring framework will expect pom.xml file, but no pom.xml file is generated when using forge commands. In this case how to use forge, java and spring. please provide me the documentation.

3). If I use forge Atlassian itself will host, manage , deploy and build. It will take care of the database and security. What if we don't want Atlassian to host and manage the application. We ourself will host and manage the app. In this case which one do i need to prefer for building the app.

4). What Atlassian connect is about. 

[Sushant Verma]

@sharath sunkari 

1) I think you can't directly deploy the same server application to the Atlassian Cloud Marketplace. The server and cloud versions of Atlassian products have different architectures and deployment models.  For server and data center versions, you can develop plugins using the Atlassian SDK and deploy them to your own instance of the Atlassian product. These plugins are installed and run within the server environment. To deploy your application to the Atlassian Cloud Marketplace, you need to develop an Atlassian Connect app. Atlassian Connect is a framework specifically designed for cloud-based integrations.

2) If you want to develop a plugin using Java and the Spring framework, you can still use the Atlassian SDK and Forge. The Forge CLI is focused on JavaScript and Node.js-based development, but you can still use Forge to develop your plugin and then add the necessary Java and Spring components manually.

To use Forge, Java, and Spring together, you can follow the Atlassian documentation for building Java apps with Forge: https://developer.atlassian.com/platform/forge/

3) If you prefer to host and manage the application yourself instead of using Atlassian's hosting and management services, you can use the Atlassian SDK. The SDK allows you to build and deploy your app on your own infrastructure. You will have more control over the hosting and management aspects, but you will also be responsible for database setup, security, and maintenance.

4) Atlassian Connect is a framework that allows you to build apps that extend Atlassian products like Jira, Confluence, and Bitbucket. It provides a way to integrate your app with Atlassian products and extend their functionalities. Atlassian Connect apps are cloud-based and use webhooks, REST APIs, and other mechanisms to communicate with Atlassian products. By using Atlassian Connect, you can create apps that are compatible with both cloud and server versions of Atlassian products.

Regards,
Sushant Verma

[sharath sunkari]

Hi,

Note:: Cloud plugin, not the server plugin. 

1). Yeah Jira has server version but i am not familiar with server version. If we want add-on from the marketplace to the server version can we install it from the market place to my own server instance . If yes, then definitely i can develop using SDK for my own server instance as well as i can sell it on the market place(I mean i can place it in the marketplace).   

2). For the second question you answered Java plugins can also be build using Atlassian SDK. Here I'm bit confused. I read somewhere using SDK we can build plugins for server and data centers. Could you please elaborate this statement. 

Here I need to develop using java for cloud versions. Will SDK used in this case for cloud versions.

3). Let say i developed using SDK, what is the procedure for deploying it on to the Atlassian marketplace.

4). Let say I used forge for development. Here i need to write the backend logic in java and need to call those end points in the frontend logic. Am i right..?

[sharath sunkari]

Hi @Sushant Verma can you please help me. 

[Sushant Verma]

@sharath sunkari 

1. Yes, if you have a Jira server instance, you can install add-ons from the marketplace onto your own server. You can develop your own add-ons using the SDK and then place them on the marketplace.

2. Let me clarify the statement.

Atlassian SDK can be used to develop plugins for both server and data center versions of Atlassian products. The Atlassian SDK provides a set of tools and libraries that simplify the development and testing of plugins. It includes the Atlassian Plugin SDK, which is a collection of Maven plugins and other tools that help in creating, packaging, and deploying plugins for Atlassian products. For server and data center versions, the Atlassian SDK can be used to develop plugins using Java, as well as other supported programming languages like Groovy and Scala. These plugins can then be deployed and run on a server or data center instance of the Atlassian product. However, when it comes to developing plugins for cloud versions of Atlassian products, the Atlassian SDK is not used. Instead, cloud versions have their own specific development frameworks and tools. For cloud versions, Atlassian provides the Atlassian Connect framework, which allows developers to build apps that integrate with Atlassian cloud products. Atlassian Connect apps are developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and are hosted remotely on external servers. So, if you want to develop plugins specifically for Atlassian cloud versions, you would need to use the Atlassian Connect framework and its associated tools, rather than the Atlassian SDK.

3. If you have developed a plugin using the Atlassian SDK and want to deploy it on the Atlassian Marketplace, the process involves the following steps:

• Create an Atlassian Marketplace vendor account.
• Package your plugin according to the guidelines and requirements provided by Atlassian.
• Prepare the necessary documentation, screenshots, and other details required for your plugin's listing on the Marketplace.
• Submit your plugin for review on the Atlassian Marketplace.
• Once your plugin passes the review process and meets the requirements, it can be listed on the Marketplace for other users to install and use.

4. With Atlassian Forge, you cannot write the backend logic in Java. Forge currently only supports JavaScript or TypeScript for writing the backend logic. You would need to write your backend logic using JavaScript or TypeScript and then call those endpoints from the frontend logic.

Regards,
Sushant Verma

[sharath sunkari]

HI Sushant Verma,

Thanks for the valuable information.

1). If I develop plugins for server and data center versions and place it on the market place. Can it be installed on to the cloud instance. ( I believe most probably the answer would be NO).

2). Using Atlassian Connect framework, I can use java for the backend logic and then calling those end points from the frontend logic. Is my understanding correct.? Correct me if i'm wrong. 

Thanks in advance.

Thanks,
Sharath Sunkari.

[Sushant Verma]

@sharath sunkari 

1) You are correct. Plugins developed for the server and data center versions of JIRA cannot be installed directly onto JIRA Cloud instances. This is because JIRA Cloud uses a different architecture and infrastructure, and plugins need to be specifically developed and adapted for the Cloud environment.

2) With the Atlassian Connect framework, you can use Java for the backend logic and expose RESTful endpoints. These endpoints can then be called from the frontend logic, which is typically developed using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. To summarize, using the Atlassian Connect framework, you can develop backend logic in Java and expose endpoints, which can be accessed by the frontend logic developed using web technologies. This allows you to build apps that can be installed and used in JIRA Cloud.

Regards,
Sushant Verma

[sharath sunkari]

HI @Sushant Verma 

If we develop using Atlassian Connect framework, it means we need to host the application, we need to take care of security and database. Can we deploy it on to any server or does it supports only specific servers. What type of database it supports.? Does it supports mongodb.?

Thanks,
Sharath Sunkari.     

[Sushant Verma]

@sharath sunkari  `When developing using the Atlassian Connect framework, you are responsible for hosting the application and ensuring its security. You can deploy the application on any server that meets the necessary requirements.

Similarly, you can choose any database that is compatible with your chosen server technology. This includes MongoDB, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or any other database of your preference. Atlassian Connect does not have any specific database requirements or limitations, allowing you to use MongoDB if it suits your application's needs.

Regards,
Sushant Verma