Current technologies give the possibility to develop more and more complex internet applications. Those applications called Rich Internet Applications are now used in the industry for backoffice applications because of an easier deployment while the functionnalities are the same than old fashioned desktop applications in SWING Style. Different types of solutions are available through RIA development on the Java platform and we mainly work with AJAX (GWT, JQuery, Dojo, Prototype) and Flash based technologies such as Flex or OpenLaszlo.

Rich Internet Applications Technologies

Ajax and GWT

GWT is a framework developed by Google that aims to compensate classic problems related to Javascripting (browser compatibility issues, maintenance and debug difficulties, …).Based on the principle Java-to-JavaScript compiler, the GWT framework solves many problems associated with the use of Ajax and gives the possibility to use the same methodologies and working tools that are commonly used in the context of a standard Java development (using Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, JUnit, …).

GWT provides a library of graphical components and integrates comonly used JavaScript frameworks such as scriptaculous.

Although GWT is a very new technology, its level of maturity is very good and its stability make the implementation of complex projects possible even in high level technical environments. Well suited to the Java world, GWT spreads easily on the J2EE standard and its architecture is well suited. GWT provides us with a promising technology that continues to evolve (GWT 1.6 is now also available).

Flex

Flex is a development technology based on interactive Flash and originally created by Macromedia in 2004. It was originally designed to provide a development model and a set of components more suited to the creation of business applications while keeping the foundation provided by Flash technology which has highly popular and widespread among Internet users.

Read the rest of this entry »