Web Application Development
Tools/Environments
Tim Sigmon
George Pipkin, Bill Niebel, Wade Komisar
Dave Saunders, Nathan Piazza
Advanced Technology Group
May 13, 1999
Introduction
development of web apps is a huge topic
 this overview focuses on

– apps needing database connectivity
– tools/environments for developing apps
 this
overview does not focus on
– non-programmatic web sites
– tools like HTML editors, etc.
– DBMS, data modeling, etc.
Pieces of the puzzle

deployment
– database
– application logic (server-side, client-side)
– browser

development
– easy-to-use studio
– visual programming vs. traditional
– extensive collection of useful objects
Application categories
Enterprise/institutional
 School/department/organization
 Individual faculty/staff/student

Comparison Space
what can it do?
 who can develop/author using it?
 who must support it?
 how much does it cost?
 what platforms does it support for development?
for deployment?
 how reliable/scalable is it?

Survey of products/environments

“low end” solutions
– CGI with Perl, C++, etc.
– PHP - http://php.myphp.net
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open-source embedded server-side scripting language
platforms: Unix and NT with Apache (and other web servers)
databases: mySQL, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, ODBC
no load-balancing but higher-performance engine soon (Zend)
no visual builder (could use Dreamweaver which is extensible)
– ASP - Active Server Pages
» part of Microsoft IIS running on NT server
» supports embedded Jscript, VBscript
» no studio builder (can use Drumbeat, MSFT Visual Interdev)
Product survey (cont’d)

“higher-end” (more scalable) solutions
– Cold Fusion Studio/Server
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http://www.allaire.com
serves dynamic, database-driven content
uses CFML, SQL, and HTML
platforms: NT and Solaris
multi-threaded service with thread pooling, db connection
caching, just-in-time compilation
» studio (NT only) provides easy-to-use visual builder
Product survey (cont’d)
– Sun NetDynamics Application Server/Studio
» http://www.netdynamics.com
» highly scalable, sophisticated app server centered around Java
» Platform Adapter Components support CORBA, COM, SAP,
PeopleSoft (SDK provided for customized PAC’s)
» supports Enterprise Java Beans
» visual builder with lots of wizards
» platforms: IIS, Apache, Netscape Enterprise Server
» databases: Oracle, Sybase, Informix, DB2, ODBC, JDBC
Product survey (cont’d)
– Apple WebObjects
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http://www.apple.com/webobjects
centered around NeXT’s OpenStep
app server supports multi-CPU and load balancing
runs on web servers that support CGI, NSAPI, ISAPI, WAI
database interface via proprietary adapters for Oracle, Sybase,
Informix, ODBC
» visual builder for NT and MacOS X
» v4.1 shows considerable support for Java
Product survey (cont’d)
– Sapphire Web
» http://www.sapphireweb.com
» uses proprietary Java-based architecture called Universal
Business Server
» supports load balancing and multi-CPU operation
» platforms: NT and Unix
» databases: Oracle, Sybase, Informix, DB2, ODBC, JDBC
» includes a visual builder
Product survey (cont’d)
– HAHTsite
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http://www.haht.com
now capable of 100% Java or HahtTalk Basic
supports load balancing and multi-CPU operation
particularly nice support for PDF forms
platforms: NT and Unix
databases: Oracle, Sybase, Informix, ODBC
nice visual builder tool
UVA environment

institutional apps
– CGI using C++ and Perl, e.g., event calendar, eforms,
Instructional Toolkit, Electronic Filing Cabinet
– Crosstalk used for web access to CICS legacy apps,
e.g., student info, registration, etc.

school/dept and individual apps
– most dept/org/indiv web sites now on large Unix
machines with Apache web server
– minimal central support for app development (special
programs such as TTI, IATH, etc.)
– CGI/Perl, Cold Fusion, Sapphire, etc.
UVA plans

working on some centrally supported solutions
– NT with Microsoft tools plus Cold Fusion plus ?
– for our large Unix platforms may provide mySQL with
Java servlets, JSP, PHP, Perl, etc.

investigating generic enterprise solutions
– Java servlets, Java Server Pages, Java beans
– Sun’s Java web server
» supports servlets, servlet beans, remote servlets
– IBM’s Websphere app server
» Apache add-on
» extensions to servlet API support multi-CPU operation
– IBM’s Visual Age for Java servlet builder
CSG survey results
only a handful of responses
 little to no central support for dept/indiv
application development
 institutional apps developed using ERP tools or
CGI with Perl/C or Cold Fusion or ...

Other CSG member activities
Michigan (Gavin Eadie)
 Georgetown (Charlie Leonhardt)
 others?

IDC’s Imperatives for EnterpriseScale, Web-Centric Computing
standards compliance
 object orientation
 database neutrality
 modularity and team-based development
 transaction orientation (ACID properties)
 security
 reliable, scalable performance

Preferences peculiar to a given
institution
ERP decision/direction
 existing expertise/support (tools, server platforms,
etc.)
 buy or build tradition/preference
 existing infrastructure (security, authentication,
directory, etc.)
