Installation

LiveForms runs on both Linux and Windows, and requires the following software:

  • Java 17 or higher

  • The latest version of Apache Tomcat 9

  • A Database with an available JDBC connector

Java

Install the latest release of Java 17 or higher. We recommended JDK 21 which is linked below.

https://adoptium.net/temurin/releases/?version=21&package=jdk&arch=x64

Apache Tomcat 9.x

Install the latest release of Apache Tomcat 9.x which you may find here: https://tomcat.apache.org/download-90.cgi

Use the installer appropriate to your Operating System. This guide will demsonstrate the install process using Windows. When prompted to choose components, uncheck all optional components and install only the base “Tomcat” package.

Tomcat Setup 1

If desired, adjust the default port numbers and change the service name to “LiveForms_Tomcat9”.

Tomcat Setup 2

Choose an installation path such as C:/LiveForms/tomcat.

Tomcat Setup 3

Before clicking to finish the installation, unselect the “Run Apache Tomcat” and “Show Readme” options on the last screen.

Tomcat Setup 4

Database Setup

LiveForms stores its application data in its own database schema, thus you will need to have an available user and database for the application to use. We recommend using PostgreSQL, though MS SQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and other database solutions with JDBC connectors are supported. The LiveForms database user will need all database rights except for the GRANT option.

SQL Configuration

The first time you deploy LiveForms in the tomcat/webapps folder it will place a context XML configuration file at tomcat/conf/Catalina/localhost/liveforms.xml. Please configure your database connection there.

Liveforms XML

Note

username and password must match a user you set in your database. The driverClassName depends on the library used for your database. A list of class names can be found on this site.

Additionaly you will need to get the database connector library associated with your database and place it into the directory tomcat/lib/. Restart the Tomcat service to ensure all changes are applied.

LiveForms Deployment

Copy liveforms.war to tomcat/webapps to deploy the application. If Apache Tomcat is not already running, start the service now. Tomcat will detect the liveforms.war file and automatically initialize the application.

Note

If this is the first time deploying LiveForms, follow the instructions in SQL Configuration to connect LiveForms to the Database.

If you are deploying a patch on an existing LiveForms install, the software will reuse the existing configuration.

You should be able to access the liveforms application via the web within a minute of deploying it. If not, check your tomcat/logs folder for error messages.