Delving only slightly deeper in to SmartObjects has made me realise that my initial understanding could be incorrect.
I now know and understand that SmartObjects are entity aggregation objects (i.e. a layer that is able to aggregate the properties and methods of multiple existing entities across a myriad of different systems) which in itself is extremely beneficial. What I don't know at this stage is whether or not they could replace the need to build entities in a custom class library, persisted to a custom data store. That would depend on how they in turn are persisted by the SmartObject Server (i.e. are they destroyed upon termination of their related process instances?)
Will be good to see if we can generate some discussion on the K2Underground
Friday, 6 July 2007
Wednesday, 27 June 2007
K2.net SmartObjects
My first impression of SmartObjects was that they would parallel the concept of entities in typical object oriented programming methodologies. Having now worked with them fairly extensively (though without implementing any of the SmartServices/SmartBroker functionality), it seems my understanding is correct. It has been difficult though to make a comprehensive assessment at this stage as I have so far only used them within the context of InfoPath.
But on that note, in the proof of concept we just recently completed, one of the requirements was to enable multiple reviewers of a process to update comments which could be viewed in real-time by other reviewers, but without completing their tasks. InfoPath had to be a part of the solution stack, so without BlackPearl, the best option I could think of would have been to write custom web services interfacing with a custom database table, updating and retrieving comments as required from within InfoPath. This has the usual implications of custom development, specifically around maintenance and initial development time.
However, using SmartObjects we were able to achieve this functionality without writing a single line of code. By using SmartObjects as "Comments" entities we were able to use the SmartObject-InfoPath integration to generate the data sources in InfoPath, and then by configuring the relevant rules in the InfoPath form (standard InfoPath configurations), we were able to populate the relevant (filtered) comments and upload new comments as required, allowing the user to choose when to complete the client event.
And as I said, all without writing any code.
Will this be viable in production? I think so.
But on that note, in the proof of concept we just recently completed, one of the requirements was to enable multiple reviewers of a process to update comments which could be viewed in real-time by other reviewers, but without completing their tasks. InfoPath had to be a part of the solution stack, so without BlackPearl, the best option I could think of would have been to write custom web services interfacing with a custom database table, updating and retrieving comments as required from within InfoPath. This has the usual implications of custom development, specifically around maintenance and initial development time.
However, using SmartObjects we were able to achieve this functionality without writing a single line of code. By using SmartObjects as "Comments" entities we were able to use the SmartObject-InfoPath integration to generate the data sources in InfoPath, and then by configuring the relevant rules in the InfoPath form (standard InfoPath configurations), we were able to populate the relevant (filtered) comments and upload new comments as required, allowing the user to choose when to complete the client event.
And as I said, all without writing any code.
Will this be viable in production? I think so.
Coming soon...
Beta 2 arrived a long time ago, and still no comments - my apologies.
At the end of this week I will have completed all work on the BlackPearl Proof of Concept that's currently consuming all of my time, and I have committed (to myself) that I will write up an account of the experience.
Until the weekend...
At the end of this week I will have completed all work on the BlackPearl Proof of Concept that's currently consuming all of my time, and I have committed (to myself) that I will write up an account of the experience.
Until the weekend...
Monday, 4 June 2007
K2.net BlackPearl Beta 2 Due for Release...
K2.net BlackPearl Beta 2 is due for release soon. I'll be building a Proof of Concept using the new platform from SourceCode as soon as it's officially released, so hope to share my trials and tribulations as I go along.
In the meantime, you can get more information on the product here
In the meantime, you can get more information on the product here
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