Questions in: Software Development

Right Answer:
Alfresco supports databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server. For storage, it supports filesystems (local or network), Amazon S3, and Azure Blob Storage.

Right Answer:
Use the Alfresco Bulk Import Tool, custom scripts leveraging the Alfresco API, or dedicated migration tools depending on the complexity and volume of content.

Right Answer:
Alfresco behaviors are pieces of code that automatically execute when specific actions occur on a node (content or folder). They're like triggers.

They're implemented in two steps:

1. **Define the Behavior:** This specifies when the behavior should run (e.g., on creation, modification, deletion) and what code to execute. This is usually done in an Alfresco extension XML file.
2. **Implement the Code:** This is the actual Java, JavaScript, or FTL code that performs the desired action when the behavior is triggered. The code accesses the node being acted upon and performs operations as needed.

Right Answer:
To use REST APIs in Alfresco for external integrations:

1. **Authentication:** Authenticate using credentials or a ticket.
2. **Construct URL:** Build the API endpoint URL (e.g., `/alfresco/api/-default-/public/alfresco/versions/1/nodes/{nodeId}`).
3. **HTTP Method:** Use appropriate HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
4. **Data Format:** Send/receive data in JSON format.
5. **Error Handling:** Implement error handling based on HTTP status codes.

Right Answer:
Alfresco is an open-source platform for Enterprise Content Management (ECM). It's used to store, manage, and access documents and other digital content within an organization, supporting collaboration, process automation, and compliance.

Right Answer:
The Alfresco Digital Workspace is a modern, configurable user interface for interacting with the Alfresco repository. It allows users to easily manage and collaborate on content, participate in workflows, and search for information.

Right Answer:
The key components of the Alfresco architecture are:

* **Alfresco Content Repository:** The core content store.
* **Alfresco Share:** The web-based user interface.
* **Alfresco Process Services (Activiti):** The workflow engine.
* **Search Subsystem (Solr or Elasticsearch):** Provides search capabilities.
* **Transformation Framework:** Enables content transformations.
* **Authentication Subsystem:** Manages user authentication and authorization.
* **APIs (REST, CMIS):** Provide interfaces for external applications.

Right Answer:
Monitor using tools like JMX, Activiti Admin UI, and database monitoring tools. Scale horizontally by clustering Alfresco and databases, and by using caching mechanisms like Redis or Memcached.

Right Answer:
Alfresco Community Edition is free and open-source, best for development, testing, and small projects. Alfresco Enterprise Edition is a commercially supported version with additional features, higher scalability, stability, and dedicated support, aimed at production environments and larger organizations.

Right Answer:
We ensure compliance and records management in Alfresco by using features like:

* **Records Management:** Declaring documents as records, managing their lifecycle, and enforcing retention policies.
* **Workflows:** Automating review and approval processes for compliance adherence.
* **Auditing:** Tracking user actions and document changes for accountability.
* **Security:** Controlling access based on roles and permissions to protect sensitive information.
* **Metadata:** Applying metadata to classify and categorize records for easy search and retrieval.
* **Retention Schedules:** Defining rules for how long records must be kept based on legal or business requirements.

Right Answer:
In Alfresco, document workflows are defined using BPMN 2.0 process definitions. These definitions are managed and deployed via the Alfresco Process Services (APS) engine, often integrated with Alfresco Content Services (ACS). You can use tools like Activiti Designer to create the BPMN definitions, then deploy them to APS. In ACS, users can then initiate these workflows on documents, and tasks are managed through the Alfresco Share interface or custom applications using the Alfresco APIs.

Right Answer:
Alfresco's key security features include:

* **Authentication:** Controls user login and identity verification.
* **Authorization:** Manages user permissions and access rights to content.
* **Encryption:** Protects data at rest and in transit.
* **Auditing:** Tracks user actions and system events for compliance.
* **Security Policies:** Enforces rules for password management, access control, and data handling.
* **IP Filtering:** Restricts access based on IP address.
* **Integration with External Security Systems:** Connects with LDAP, Kerberos, and other systems.

Right Answer:
Alfresco Share is the web-based user interface for Alfresco. It provides a collaborative environment allowing users to manage content, create sites for teams, collaborate on documents, manage tasks, and participate in discussions. It supports collaboration through features like document sharing, version control, workflows, social collaboration tools (blogs, wikis, forums), and activity feeds.

Right Answer:
Content models and metadata in Alfresco are configured using XML files that define namespaces, types (content types, aspects), and properties. These XML files are placed in the `alfresco/extension/model` directory and registered in the `share-config-custom.xml` file. The model defines the structure and metadata of content, allowing you to define custom properties, inherit from existing types, and apply aspects for additional metadata.

Right Answer:
Aspects in Alfresco are reusable metadata bundles or behaviors that can be dynamically added to nodes (files or folders). They're used to:

* **Add extra properties:** Attach extra metadata fields (like "Classifiable" or "Geographic").
* **Add behavior/functionality:** Enable certain actions or rules (like versioning or workflow participation).
* **Categorize content:** Tag content with specific characteristics for searching and filtering.

Right Answer:
Alfresco integrates with external systems like SAP or Salesforce primarily through:

* **CMIS (Content Management Interoperability Services):** A standard protocol for accessing content repositories.
* **REST APIs:** Alfresco provides REST APIs for interacting with its functionalities.
* **Custom Integrations:** Developing custom integrations using Java, JavaScript, or other programming languages to connect directly with system APIs or databases.
* **Pre-built Connectors/Modules:** Alfresco Marketplace may offer pre-built connectors for specific systems.

Right Answer:
Alfresco Process Services (APS), formerly Activiti, is a Business Process Management (BPM) engine. It allows you to design, automate, and manage business processes using BPMN 2.0. APS is used to model workflows, execute them, and monitor their progress, enabling organizations to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Right Answer:
Alfresco manages permissions and roles through a hierarchical model using Access Control Lists (ACLs). Permissions are granted to users or groups on specific nodes (folders/documents). Roles are predefined sets of permissions. Users inherit permissions based on their roles and group memberships. Administrators can manage these through the Alfresco Share interface or using the Alfresco API.

Right Answer:
Smart folders in Alfresco are virtual folders that dynamically organize content based on rules and metadata. They improve content navigation by automatically grouping related documents regardless of their physical location, making it easier to find information based on defined criteria.

Right Answer:
To configure Alfresco for full-text search and indexing, you primarily configure the `alfresco-global.properties` file. Key settings include:

* `index.subsystem.name`: Select the indexing engine (e.g., `solr6`, `solr`).
* Solr configuration: Adjust Solr connection details (host, port, core names) based on your chosen engine.
* `dir.root`: Specifies the location for the index storage.
* Tuning: Configure indexing performance parameters for optimal throughput, such as `index.batchIndexing.maxThreads`.