Chapter 1. Introduction
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## Chapter 1. Introduction

MeshCMS is an online editing system written in Java. It provides a set of features usually included in a CMS, but it uses a more traditional approach: pages are stored in regular HTML files and all additional features are file-based.

MeshCMS is available under the GPL license. It allows some different usage approaches:

- it can be used as a simple, basic CMS. The user interface allows to edit pages visually, add and delete pages and do other basic tasks. This kind of approach should be easy enough for everyone;

- more experienced users can create complex themes and modules to fulfill specific needs. MeshCMS offers many convenience classes and methods, and it allows to create JSP pages that will be added to the site map just like plain HTML pages;

- since MeshCMS uses plain files and supports the standard SiteMesh configuration, many external Java applications can be integrated quite easily.

Main features are:

- file-based - no database needed;

- easy to install - deploy meshcms.war and you're done (tested on Tomcat and Jetty);

- multi-site support - multiple sites can be served with a single installation on a single context;

- compatible with other editors - since it is file-based, you can edit your files with other programs if you want, then upload them as usual;

- search engine friendly - due to its file-based nature, sites made with MeshCMS get pretty URLs by default, have a clear site map and are easily indexed by search engines;

- wysiwyg editor included - uses TinyMCE;

- file manager with image thumbnails, file operations, clipboard, upload, download, unzip and other functions - can also be used from within the wysiwyg editor to select links and images;

- support for themes - uses SiteMesh as engine;

- support for modules to create commonly used components automatically - some module templates are provided (image gallery, mail form, download list, site map and others);

- tag library to create new themes easily - menus and other common components are created automatically.

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