The revelation of new features of Backbase 4.2

Enterprise Ajax for the 4.2 version of the Java framework, this new version provides Java developers with a complete AJAX platform that supports many common frameworks, including struts, Spring MVC, and Java Server Faces. The ultimate goal of Backbase's enterprise Ajax for Java is to provide a standards-based, alternative, flex-and Silverlight-like plug-in that provides simple features, support, and development tools.

Infoq interviewed Backbase and Michel Gerin and Jep Castelein to learn more about this version.

What's new in this version?

With just a few programs to write, new data services can easily pull data. The original XML can be converted to Java Data Objects for ease of operation.

JSF support: Support for progressive HTML enhancement (Translator Note: Progressive enhancement is a web design strategy that emphasizes accessibility, semantic markup, external styles, and scripting techniques, please refer to the Wikipedia and third party AJAX clients, such as Google Gadgets, YUI widgets, and so on.

The Struts connectors now take full advantage of the data services, support Struts 2.0, and contain an updated, simple application.

Srping MVC is also supported as a new connector.

Michel confirms unobtrusive javascript: Unobtrusive JavaScript is an emerging JavaScript programming technology for the World Wide Web, specifically refer to Wikipedia, which has been used in the framework:

Unobtrusive JavaScript is now only considered a paradigm that is emerging, but Backbase has been in use for 4 of years. This shows how Backbase's architecture is leading.

What are the characteristics of backbase compared to other AJAX frameworks?

What is the difference between Enterprise Ajax for Java and other open source frameworks? Prototype, for example, also allows developers to write Ajax-based pages and are completely free. Jep Answer:

The vast majority of open source Ajax frameworks are client-only (client-only) and not Java-oriented. Other open source frameworks are for Java, but they require Java functionality (ICEFACES,GWT), so there is no client-only version. The difference between Backbase Enterprise Ajax is that it provides a Java-only version of the client.

Jep explains that Backbase also offers some better features and advanced support:

[Enterprise Ajax for Java] focuses on more complex AJAX projects: It not only includes more than 250 widgets and functions, but also implements many of the standards for the consortium, such as XPath 2.0 and SMIL. Backbase has a 24x7 support system and a global consulting team to support the most demanding customers. Prototype is a very lightweight library, with no pre-built widgets, more suited to relatively simple AJAX projects, and no business-level support from companies.

Michel also takes scalability as a factor:

As a prototype application, the complexity of JavaScript will explode as applications grow, and the cost of adding a new feature will increase dramatically. On the other hand, a backbase application can increase features and scalability to handle tens of thousands of users while maintaining and expanding easily.

Community License

Enterprise Ajax for Java is a commercial product, but open source projects can still take advantage of it. In fact, some open source projects have already done so. Backbase's community license allows developers to integrate the framework into open source projects for free. Jep describes the license:

The community license allows you to use Backbase Server Software on up to two server CPUs per company. Open source projects can include Backbase software for free, as long as the Readme file and release notes contain a summary of community licenses.

What is the Backbase's recent plan?

One of the main new features to add to Enterprise Ajax is the visual Ajax Builder, a visual editor based on Eclipse. Please register here to get a copy of the beta release.

Backbase Another area of continuous improvement is performance. Backbase wants a future release to eliminate the gap between static HTML pages and dynamic AJAX page load times.