XPLATFORM is an RIA platform which provides operation and development environment of RIA. XPLATFORM can be classified into four large groups; XPLATFORM language, Development environment, Applied program execution environment, and distribution environment.
Composition of XPLATFORM Technology
You need to know four technologies to realize and apply application programs of XPLATFORM. These four technologies are XPLATFORM language, Development environment, Application program execution environment, and distribution environment.
XPLATFORM Language
XPLATFORM provides several languages to define the application program’s UI. These languages are defined based on XML and ECMAScript.
You place UI screen with XPLATFORM XML and realize UI logic with ECMAScript. You also use XML for running environment set-up information for running other application program.
Following are the main files written with XPLATFORM Language.
Kind of file | File name | Use |
|---|---|---|
Screen form definition | *.xfdl | - Defines the screen form used by application program - Contains screen arrangement information of components. - Contains UI logic of event handling way. |
Application program definition | *.xadl | - Defines application program. - Contains environment information for running application program. - Contains arrangement information of forms. - Contains UI model information of application program. There are three kinds of UI Model(MDI, SDI, and Widget). |
Application program resource definition | default_typedef.xml | - Defines application program resource. - Defines components used by application program. - Defines data source used by application program. - Defines distribution information of modules used by application program. |
Development Environment
XPLATFORM provides UX-Studio which is a WYSIWYG based RAD development tool. Developers can develop all application programs by using UX-Studio. Application programs are saved as XPLATFORM Language.
UX-Studio works on MS Windows base and application programs that have been developed are driven on various devices. (PC, PDA, Smartphone, Linux, etc)
Application program running environment
Programs developed by UX-Studio are run on XPLATFORM Runtime. UI run on XPLATFORM Runtime is shown in different forms according to Application Model. (Frame, Widget, etc)
XPLATORM application programs only work on client, but use application server for processing data. Generally, Web Application Server is used most frequently. XPLATFORM provides X-API module as an Application Server.
XPLATFORM Runtime and Engine
From now on the terms “XPLATFORM Runtime” and “XPLATFORM Engine” are going to be appearing a lot. In simple words, XPLATFORM Engine is the core of XPLATFORM. XPLATFORM Runtime is RIA Platform that includes components and objects of XPLATFORM Engine.
Distribution Environment
Distribution refers to the work of setting up programs necessary for running application programs on user PCs or devices. The target of distribution is UX-Studio, meaning the modules needed for application running programs. (XPLATFORM Engine, components, etc)
Distribution uses Http Protocol. This means Http Server is required for distribution. In the case where all programs are already installed on user PCs, distribution is not necessary.
Following the targets for distribution.
Category | Name of major file | Description |
|---|---|---|
Engine distribution | XPLATFORM9_SetupEngine.exe XPLATFORM9_SetupEngine.cab |
|
Components objects distribution | *.dll |
|
Application program | *.xfdl, *.xadl, default_typedef.xml, globalvars.xml |
|
XPLATFORM Running Flow
Following is a flow chart describing the distribution and execution of XPLATFORM. The execution flow through frequently used web browser has been marked here.
XPLATFORM Engine needs to be installed in prior to run XPLATFORM service, and you can install XPLATFORM Engine as a separate exclusive setup file in the case you don’t want to install through the web browser. XPLATFORM provides two forms of files, setup file for web browsers (XPLATFORM9_SetupEngine.cab) and exclusive set up file (XPLATFORM9_SetupEngine.exe).
XPLATFORM Runtime and engine
XPLATFORM Engine is the main agent of application program and the core part of XPLATFORM Runtime.
After the engine has been executed and the license check has normally completed components and objects load, and what comes after this loading is done is runtime. So from the software execute file, engine and runtime are identical. The difference is merely that engine refers to the core part excluding the components and objects, and runtime refers to the form which includes components and objects.
XPLATFORM Engine can be run in three different ways. Following are the three ways.
It can be run with Embed Object of JavaScript of web browser.
It is the way to run XPLATFORM Runtime Plugin Version.
Engine is executed in the embed form on the web browser screen.
You can run XPLauncher through JavaScript of web Browser.
XPLauncher is the embed object of web browser.
Runtime run by XPLauncher is not included in web browser and is run with independent window.
It can be run as an exclusive run file.
In this case, shortcut icons are generally used.
It is unrelated to web browser.
After XPLATFORM engine is running, the job can be carried out in the following order.
Main composition of XPLATFORM Engine
XPLATFORM Engine is formed of 5 managers including the core part, virtual engine.
Following explains the main functions of each component.
Components | Description |
|---|---|
Virtual Engine | AS the basic engine of XPLATFORM with an independent structure in OS, it is a virtual engine that can be ported to various OS. |
Instance Manager | Manages the necessary resource/screen/data/script to operate engine. |
Communication Manager | Takes charge of the communication using HTTP, HTTPS and FILE Protocol as base. |
CDL Manager | Makes user component, user object and composite component developed by script work. |
Binary Module Manager | Manages major components of XPLATFORM. |