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Session 122. RIA in Perspective. Ken Wilner VP of Technology Progress Software. Since The Beginning of Time…. Do I want “ Rich or Reach?”. Rich Internet Applications - Rich vs. Reach. RIA The best of both worlds!! Deployed over the Web
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Session 122 RIA in Perspective Ken Wilner VP of Technology Progress Software
Since The Beginning of Time… Do I want “Rich or Reach?”
Rich Internet Applications - Rich vs. Reach RIA The best of both worlds!! • Deployed over the Web • No installation or automated installation and updates • Look and feel of desktop applications DesktopClient RIA Rich BrowserClient Reach
Rich Internet Applications - Rich vs. Reach RIA The best of both worlds!! • Deployed over the Web • No installation or automated installation and updates • Look and feel of desktop applications • Lots of choices: • Lightweight Ajax • Heavyweight Ajax • Browser-based Plug-ins • Desktop RIA DesktopClient RIA Rich BrowserClient Reach
Lightweight Ajax • Focused on Ajax-ifying a traditional Web application • Open source JavaScript libraries – over 150 • Most popular • Dojo • YUI (Yahoo) • jQuery • Prototype • ExtJS • Simplifies programming • Hide browser differences • Ajax controls and visual effects • XML helper functions • XMLHttpRequest object
Heavyweight Ajax • Focused on building a complete Ajax UI or significant independent UI component • Client • Written in JavaScript or compiled to Javascript • Server • Compilation services • Framework services • Database integration • Web services and REST support • Data compression/normalization • Limited visual designer tools • Commercial open source offerings with up-sell
Heavyweight Ajax – Programming Models • Declarative XML with JavaScript • Backbase (no server) • Nexaweb • Tibco General Interface (no server) • OpenLaszlo (no tools) • SmartClient • ASP.NET/JSP • Use a native programming language, e.g. C#, VB.NET, Java • At runtime converted to HTML and JavaScript • GWT (Google) • Program and debug in Java • Compile to JavaScript
Browser Plug-ins • Adobe Flex • Runs on Flash player • Program using MXML and Actionscript – compiled to SWF • Built-in RPC, REST, Web Services, and server-push mechanism via optional LiveCycle Data Services • Flex Builder (Eclipse plug-in) provides visual designer • Silverlight (Microsoft) - V3 released July 2009 • Program using XAML and a .NET programming language like C# or VB.NET • Silverlight specific visual designer • Communicate with the server using WCF, e.g. REST, Web Services, sockets • Supported on all IE, Firefox, and Safari browsers and Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms
Desktop RIA • Installed on the desktop • Provisioned over the Web • Automatically installed and incrementally update (Smart Client) • Terminal services, e.g. Citrix • Benefits • Full branding • Tighter integration with the desktop • Ability to run in background mode (Smart Client only) • Ability to run off-line (Smart Client only)
Desktop RIA • OpenEdge GUI for .NET or OpenEdge GUI with WebClient • Windows only • Adobe AIR • Flex on the desktop • Released Feb 2008 • Supported by SalesForce and ebay • Windows, Mac, Linux • Microsoft WPF/Winforms with ClickOnce • Windows only • Java UI with Java WebStart (limited momentum)
Percent Usage by UI Type 18%/32%
OpenEdge GUI for .NET And OpenEdge GUIPercent Usage by Deployment Type
March 2008 “Ajax Disappoints Power Users Looking For Web 2.0-Style Business Apps” Matching The Usage Intensity Persona Groups To Ajax Deployments 14
OpenEdge RIA Strategy and PositioningEnd-user Satisfaction Power User Occasional User Infrequent User Desktop and Browser Plugins: OpenEdge GUI for .NET, Flex / AIR, Silverlight / WPF OpenEdge GUI/ChUI AJAX: Lightweight, Heavyweight
Summary • Don’t succumb to the hype • Start with the end-user • Ajax for occasional user and infrequent user • Browser plug-ins and desktop RIA for power users • Factor in the skillsets of the developers • Follow the guidelines and principles of the OERA • Plan for the future • http://communities.progress.com
UI Decision Tree http://communities.progress.com/pcom/docs/DOC-60938
Session 122 RIA in Perspective Ken Wilner VP of Technology Progress Software