[plug] Building a GUI app to generate a wordprocessed letter

[Peter J. Nicol]

>  On Monday 10 March 2003 19:30, Peter J. Nicol wrote:
>  > >  Great! When can you have it finished? ;o)
>  >
>  > the business plan?  Later tonight ... when will you have the code ready?
>
>  Couple of years...

Shit ... I have nearly finished tje first draft of the business plan.  Should have
the whole app finished by morning if we stay up all night.

Copyright 2003 - Peter J. Nicol
Released under the GPL.
Version 1.0

INTRODUCTION

Web services are a group of closely related, emerging technologies that describe a
service-oriented, component-based application architecture that is based on an
open, Internet-centric infrastructure.

They represent a model in which discrete tasks within e-business processes are
distributed widely throughout a value net. Web services components can [in theory]
be recombined by other companies to meet the needs of their own software
applications or business processes.

They typically rely on XML based standards for describing data and processes, and
utilize common communication protocols, such as HTTP or SMTP, for transport.

[Someone] proposes to use these new services to build a 'User Response and Action'
tool.

In essence, this tool allows the automated response and application specific
functionality derived from user input.


TECHNOLOGY

A development philosophy has been adopted that seeks to gain the most leverage
from the internet revolution and growth of open standards. The Key Points are:

Use of Open Standards, in particular XML and its derivatives (EbXML, SOAP, WDSL)
Use of Open Source
Platform neutrality


METHODOLOGY

The development methodology is based on the so called “Extreme Programming” (XP)
iterative development paradigm.

XP is proven approach to software development in use in companies like Bayerische
Landesbank, Credit Swiss Life, DaimlerChrysler, First Union National Bank, Ford
Motor Company and UBS.

Our approach is one of iteration, developing software a small piece at a time. As
each piece is finished it is tested and then delivered.

This approach allows quick adaption to changing requirements and technology.


USE CASES

Initial PHASE ONE requirement:
User enters customer name, address, and application specific information
the system produces a letter for them (confirming an appointment in the test
case).


IMPLEMENTATION

Native XML Database (Tamino or Xindice).
Object Oriented Programming Language (C++ or Java, or possibly Perl or Python)
Xquery
Xlink
XSLT
SOAP or XML-rpc
IPP