once:radix Overview




"...unlike previous generations of development tools like Microsoft Access and FileMaker Pro, once:radix uses best-of-breed open source components to provide RIA/Web 2.0 style user interfaces on a solid architecture."

Michael Neale
Senior Engineer
JBoss
a division of Red Hat

Product Overview

once:radix is a Rapid Application Development environment for building Intranet and eXtranet systems. i.e. It is a package for building Rich Business Applications.

Software Architecture

once:radix is constructed as a client-server system. The major building blocks include:

  • Apache Tomcat application server
  • once:secureserver (oSS) multi-threaded server engine
  • Supports Apache Rhino for server-side scripting.
  • SQL industry-standard database organised into a suite of predefined but expandable tables.
  • once:editor (oED) creates once:client pages
  • once client also allows customised business rules to be stored client side (in Javascript)
  • Mozilla or other compatible web browser


Key Features

once:radix is based on a suite of standard Rich Internet Applications. Their functions include:

  • An effective and flexible user interface.
  • Switch between multiple open task windows.
  • Multi-user access to computers running a compatible web browser.
  • Multi-company: Supports separate business entities operating completely independently, creating the opportunity to host several organisations on the one server; or combined, allowing a group of entities to operate under a common structure.
  • Language independent: A user may select different spoken languages at log on. This requires the screens and print layouts to be cloned, then translated to the alternate language.
  • Multiple-time zones: Worldwide access to time and date sensitive fields (subject to network security access considerations) that is stored on the server in GMT but is displayed in local time.
  • Extensible. i.e. a system built using once:radix may include additional fields and business rules without complex programming. The business rules may be processed server side (as data is retrieved from the database) using Javascript or client side (e.g. as buttons are clicked or data in fields changes) using once:script.
  • Wherever possible, industry standards apply: XML 1.0 (strict), XSL, XHTML, CSS 2.1/3.0, SQL database, Java 1.6 and Javascript.
  • Avoid proprietary technologies: once:radix is based on a range of public licence technologies (e.g. Apache, Tomcat, PostgreSQL and JasperReports) to avoid dependence on middleware software vendors.
  • Able to interface with other applications – such as web services, the Microsoft Office Suite and general ledger accounting packages – using a range of technologies including: SQL, owebAPI, PDF, CSV, RTF, etc.
  • once:editor allows fast and easy creation and editing of new and existing layouts. oED operates within the web browser producing very compact code that conforms to industry standards for XHTML 1.0 (strict) and CSS 2.1. The code produced is compact and optimised to maximize performance.
  • 'Acceptable' access speeds for all users. From dial-up modem to 100+ Mbps local area network, some variation of connection speed must be anticipated, however speed optimisation techniques are a key focus of the design.
  • With its potential use across the Internet, security has been a primary consideration. once:fabrik focusses heavily on network security combining session management, secure http (https), database and server security.