Smart client

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

As a short form and trade name for products in computer science, the term Smart Client has several meanings that differ in their degree of abstraction and characteristics.

  1. Smart Client architecture is a special client-server - architecture patterns , certain aspects of the distribution sets in more detail.
  2. Smart client application is specific software on a user's computer that combines the high level of user comfort of a fat client with the easy handling of a thin client .
  3. Smart Client is the trade name for software products from Isomorphic Software and Suse Linux AG.

architecture

In a smart client architecture (also: smart client model or smart client approach), certain aspects of the distribution are defined more precisely compared to the generalized client-server architecture. It promises a high level of user comfort and uncomplicated software updates, a combination of the advantages of desktop and web applications on the one hand . Although the term Smart Client is not standardized or standardized, the literature, the practical cases described there and the listed products contain recurring combined performance features that distinguish the Smart Client from the other client variants.

Ease of use

The client in a smart client architecture (also: smart client application or smart client for short ) offers a high level of user convenience. In contrast to the thin client and rich client , like a fat client , the user expects the plausibility check and validation of his inputs, trouble-free information processing without waiting even during his input, the free change between different areas within the application and integration with his office programs .

Distributed components

In contrast to both the traditional client-server architecture and the established rich Internet application , the same programming basis is used in a smart client architecture on client and server, from which components, interfaces and data objects consist. The business logic can be executed by the server or the client, depending on the requirements. The shift takes place only through operational measures and without intervention in the programming. Ideally, both parts should be able to be created in just one development environment and with related know-how.

In practice, standard methods from the web browser / web server environment are used for communication between client and server and for integration with other central software. This is especially true for the transport and security protocols. A regular - if necessary mobile - internet connection should generally be sufficient for the operation of a smart client architecture.

business

The Smart Client dispenses with its own local memory for changeable data and thus with the otherwise necessary synchronization of data between client and server. This property is occasionally circumvented in practice in order to temporarily secure user inputs during emergency operation without a connection to the server. Even (almost) unchangeable data such as country lists remain on the client and thus increase its response speed and reduce bandwidth usage.

The server is responsible for storing, providing and backing up all changeable data for the clients. A connection from the client to the server is a prerequisite for the regular continuation of a business process on the client.

The installation of the client is limited to copy operations; it does not need to be integrated into the operating system and allows for a simplified automatic software update that does not give the user any choice or possibility of intervention. The client can also run directly from a mobile storage device.

Trade names

The term was first used by the product "SmartClient" from Isomorphic Software, a JavaScript-based AJAX framework for developing web applications.

Around the same time (2001), Suse Linux AG developed an administration tool called SmartClient for Debeka Versicherung. Since then, Debeka has managed more than 3000 Linux workstations with the SmartClient. The SmartClient Framework was published under the GPL and later further developed by the Cologne-based company " dass IT GmbH".

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Series of articles in Java magazine 09/2006 to 12/2006: Smart clients - more flexible than web applications ( Memento of the original from November 28, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 4.1 MB) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.compeople.de
  2. ↑ Holger Ringels: Smart Clients with Eclipse RCP: Architecture and Conception of Enterprise Applications ,entwickler.press 2010, p. 36, 104 ISBN 978-3-86802-049-6
  3. ↑ Article in Business Technology 01/2009: Online systems: It doesn't always have to be a browser
  4. ↑ Article in insurance companies 04/2007: optimal customer care
  5. ↑ Article in informationweek December 14, 2006: DVAG's online system strengthens sales  ( page can no longer be accessed , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / www.informationweek.de  

Web links