ProtoSmart Prototyping Framework

This free open-source framework produces thin-client (web browser) transactionally correct architecturally advanced prototypes.  But why use a tool specifically engineered for prototyping?

ProtoSmart has features specific to agile prototyping and deployment.

"What???", you may exclaim, " ... does this mean ProtoSmart does not have the robust capabilities of a modern production platform?"

Let's take a look at some of the capabilities ProtoSmart does NOT support.  There is no:

• Multi-user Access to a Single Instance of Data
• Custom (proprietary) Tag Library
• Cross-Browser Support (IE 5 or above is required)
• Failed Transaction Support (no two-phase commit, roll-back, or logging)
• Object - Relational Mapping
• Formal Data Recovery Process
• Strategy for Synchronous Integration with Existing Applications or Databases
• Performance Optimization Techniques

Question: So what makes ProtoSmart such a smart idea? Answer: The framework is "agility optimized" for prototyping speed and architectural compatibility with Java, J2EE, Struts, and Validator.   A ProtoSmart prototype is a reliable (working) requirements specification without the overhead demanded of a traditional architecture.  The specific framework characteristics are:

• 100% Client-side Execution of Code
• Unlimited Number of Concurrent Users (each with their own copy of data)
• No Infrastructure Investment for Either Development or Deployment
• Data Quickly Defined as XML Documents (Tables)
• Light-weight Session, Table, Form and Error Objects Supported
• "Includes" Supported (ex. HTML page header or footer)
• Form Validation Supported (Struts declaration and validation routines implemented)
• Framework "ActionFunctions" Easily Refactored as Struts "ActionClasses"

These characteristics come together to give a prototyper unparalleled speed and flexibility when iteratively collaborating with a client during a prototyping session.   Rather than being feature-rich, the ProtoSmart framework has just enough capability, just enough infrastructure, and just enough transference to a production implementation to be the "agile" prototyping solution.

If you are interested in growing your confidence in the systems engineering process, please contact GTC Group.

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