Roundcube plugin - PHP/Java Bridge

[Mikhail]

Hello.

We are considering Roundcube as an alternative to our current WebMail solution (java). To utilize a part of current codebase we are considering developing plugins to Roundcube that communicate to Java modules via PHP/Java bridge. There are several alternatives when it comes to PHP/Java bridges: php-java-bridge, framework from Zend, IBM's Zero, XML-RPC. We are new to PHP, that is why would be grateful if somebody could give feedback on the following:
- are there any implications/risks that can come up when developing a plugin for Roundcube that uses one the mentioned PHP/Java bridge alternatives.
- if somebody has experienced similar problem, which PHP/Java bridge is easier to integrate with Roundcube.

Regards.

[SKaero]

What functionality are trying to get with the PHP/Java bridges?

[Mikhail]

There is a service module implemented in EJB that is used to read, add, change and delete user configuration (preferences) on a remote servers. Local LDAP contains a copy of this user configuration. For example when a user logins, his preferences are read from the local user-database into memory. However, when he does changes in his preferences, this changes are written first to the remote server. Later the changes are copied from the remote server to the local LDAP. A custom protocol is used to connect to the remote server. (text string on top of TCP). This module contains lots of java code, that is why we though that it can be more time efficient to develop "bridge" rather than rewrite all this code in PHP.

There are also modules for MSISDN validation and sending SMS. We might also consider developing plugins/bridges for these modules as well, though to rewrite them in PHP should be not as difficult as the first one.

Regards.

[SKaero]

Sounds complicated alright, are you just copying the RoundCube preferences?

[Mikhail]

These are user settings that are sent to a remote server