Archive for 'Software' Category
Enterprise JavaBeans
15 June 2007 <Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) are key elements in J2EE (Java 2 Enterprise Edition) platform. They represent a server-side component technology, with focus on business logic shaping and object distribution. Enterprise JavaBeans are not a product, but they are a public specification which determines the rules to create business objects in special servers (EJB container in application servers).
Applications build using architecture based on EJB are inherently distributed and transactional, allowing huge scalability and safeness. For example, a business component being executed on a server requests transparently the services provided by other component being executed in other server. Enterprise JavaBeans can start transactions in a given resource (for example, a database) and those transactions are diffused locally or remotely.
EJB emphasizes reusing of business object through an development architecture where software engineers perform many distinctive and complementary tasks:
- Enterprise Bean Provider (business specialist).
- Application Assembler (application constructor).
- Deployer (the one responsible to adapt application to business local conditions).
- EJB Server Provider (middleware specialist).
- EJB Container Provider (programmer).
- System administrator.
Eclipse - Most Popular Java IDE
4 June 2007 <Eclipse is one of the most popular IDEs nowadays. It is used to develop Java programs and it is considered to be a key tool when talking about open-source programs. Eclipse has some facilities, such as visualization of all files in the project in a clear way and tools for collective work management.
Due to plug-in technology, Eclipse allows developer to personalize his work environment according to the project that it’s being developed. This project can be a simple one with static HTML pages, or even applications using EJBs, several frameworks or J2ME, for example. The basic version of Eclipse found on web comes with some plug-ins, such as Ant and CVS. Besides, plug-in technology also allows you to create your own plug-ins.
Despite of being a free IDE, Eclipse allows you to do in your environment the same you could do using paid tools, such as Jbuilder or WSAD.
Introduction to J2ME
21 May 2007 <J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) is the environment of development for mobile or portable devices, as cell phones and palmtops. As Java language is very popular, the adaptation to J2ME is not complicated. So, many kinds of applications have been created for those devices, as games and schedules. Companies have won with that because, since their devices have a JVM (Java Virtual Machine), it’s possible to implement applications in every device, being hardware capacity the only limit.
J2ME platform contains configurations and libraries made especially to work in portable devices. Thus, developer has a better facility to handle with the limitations of processing and memory, for example. An example of this is the configuration called CLDC (Connected Limited Device Configuration), destined to devices with very limited hardware resources, as 16 bits processors and 512 KB memories. This configuration contains a JVM and a basic set of libraries that allows Java application to work in devices with those characteristics.
Software News - Fighting Against Counterfeits
4 March 2007 <Has ever happened to you to be duped by some swindlers who just wanted to sell you counterfeit software? If this has never happened to you, then pay attention to this article. I will give you some tips on how to recognize fake software.
Counterfeit software is the result of the copying, the reproduction or the unauthorized fabrication of the software products. Counterfeit software is normally realized so that it appears authentic and it is distributed in wraps that imitate the wrap of the initial producer. The wraps of the counterfeit software have different levels of quality and resemblance with the original wraps, but the latter ones have some distinctive features. First of all, Microsoft will never print a key product directly on the software wrap. Secondly, the Microsoft software products will be delivered only accompanied by an authenticity certificate put on the wrap.
The counterfeit mediums of installation differ in quality, from rewritable CDs to high-quality replicas of the original CD. Sometimes the forgers will apply on the CD holographic etiquettes, thus trying to reproduce the aspect of the original Microsoft installing CDs. The holograms from the Microsoft CDs are not etiquettes, because they are even part of the CD.
While some forgers use sophisticated methods of high technical level to reproduce the authenticity certificates and the software documentation, most counterfeit materials are produces just like that by using photocopying machineries and scanners.
Microsoft has declared war to all those online sellers of counterfeit software, and they sued them in justice. There have been initiated more than fifty actions of this type after they tested several unauthorized Windows XP programs, out of which more than 30 percent were impossible to be installed on the computer.
Software for Non-Programmers: Computer-Aided Learning
4 March 2007 <Software, as the 20th century genius innovation product, was elaborated by industrious IT specialists with strong computing basis. But, in order to use software programs you don’t have to be a genius; all it takes is some patience and a computer. The educational software is a very productive and important branch of the IT world because its resources are extremely effective in learning programs or even class management software.
The network of educational software comprises various and many games, activities, sites and references that can be used in the teaching process. But the great part about this software domain is that it is a do-it-yourself type of learning: you don’t need a teacher to explain everything for you because the Internet has specialized software to do the job for you. This way, the software choice expands from educational games, also known as edutainment to reference software, which includes many free downloadable or online dictionaries and thesaurus. And the offer doesn’t stop here: if the learner happens to be a child, he/she can be introduced to the scientific world by characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny.
Software oriented towards computer aided learning is probably the cheapest and most elaborated alternative to self-learning and comprehension. There are no stressful subjects to evaluate your homework, nor harsh methods and boring classes. Instead, every educational software-based programs comprise funny, interesting and challenging methods that encourage learners to join all activities. Whether virtual students wish to learn a new language, to expand their knowledge on math or science or just want to acquire more information about a certain topic, educational software has the right answer for any type of learner at whatever time he/she wishes.