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Development
Environments
The correct choice of development environment & the technologies that will be used are key to the successful design & implementation of any system. Going over the top makes the system hard to maintain and may be totally inappropriate & expensive for what's needed. However, writing something quick and simple may work for one user, but may not scale when things take off.
There are a wide range of tools & environments, many of which overlap. It’s easy to go straight for the newest but it’s also worth considering the detail - things like ...
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What will the solution have to do ?
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Which environments are best for what I am trying to achieve ?
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Who is my customer & what’s the best solution for them ?
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What skills do I have available to develop and/or support the new system ?
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What systems already exist and will they need to interact with the new solution?
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What are the specific complexities the team will face ?
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What environments do I currently support and how will the new system fit in ?
For example, the latest version of Microsoft's .NET development platform allows languages such as VB and C++ to be mixed within projects, thus leveraging the best from the features available in each. C# also allows you to take advantage of newer techniques available in .NET and is ideal for the different types of development available within the framework. Microsoft .NET also provides easier integration between technologies & environments such as the web, Windows & services with Visual Studio.
The "C" programming language maybe old, but much of Windows, DLLs & drivers still use it. With direct access to the Windows API, C remains the language of choice for many solutions and is extremely powerful.
Some other considerations …
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Web developments
& interfaces are popular and can have huge advantages in both deployment and the overall user experience. But they can be slow, especially for simple data entry type solutions or where speed of access is essential. Even though the data may be the same, a seller doesn’t always need, or want, the same interface as a buyer!
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Off the shelf packages are quick & may be a cheaper solution in the short term. However, they may not do exactly what you need and getting them to do it may actually make things more confusing and more expensive than a tailored solution.
How can 3Ds help ? Our consultants can discuss each of these options and help you determine the best approach to take. Our development team can help either deliver, or assist your own developers in designing & building the new solution.
Scripted
Technologies
If written & designed properly, scripting can be quick & neat solution for some tasks - especially for automating what would otherwise be a manual process. It’s also the method of choice for implementing client side – and sometimes server-side logic into your web sites & applications where users don’t wish to run ActiveX or embedded logic on their desktop. Adding small amounts of logic to documents cam also help make the underlying data much more intelligent – e.g. to perform validation within a shared document or form.
However, take this too far and you soon have what ought to be a packaged system wrapped up in an Excel spreadsheet! Before you know it, your business is reliant on Excel macros, something you don’t want now and on day one you may not have considered.
How can 3Ds help ? Our consultants can advise on the use of scripting technologies, the choices available and how to use them. We can also develop scripted solutions, re-model old ones, or review scripts as part of a larger design.
Database
Technologies
A database is more than just somewhere to store data – it’s often the heart of the system! If access to the data is slow, or the database itself isn't performing well, any system connecting to it, no matter what the environment you’re using will perform badly.
An optimised, well designed and tuned database on the other hand, can make all the difference, as can well thought through SQL access strategies.
How can 3Ds help ? We have many years experience in database systems and the technologies that access them, from design & stored procedures to ADO and front end access.
Server
Technologies & Environments
Make use of the technology available, but try to keep things simple when you can. For example, COM+ or distributed transactions are great when you need them, but an added cost when you don't. It’s important to understand the relative strengths and weaknesses of the technologies you're using so you can "play to the strengths and avoid the weaknesses" as much in the design as in the code.
Sometimes off the shelf or built-in solutions work well and are a perfect fit; sometimes though the requirements are far more easily met by developing a bespoke solution, even if at first this seems a more daunting task.
How can 3Ds help ? Our consultants & development team can help leverage the best from the technologies you're using and recommend changes where appropriate. From single user applications to fully scalable systems with distributed transactions & multi-user access, they are here to help.
Application
Types
Although at first this seems obvious, you might be surprised at how often this ought to be considered more fully. In order to get the best out of the environment, your logic needs to run in the right place and this often means breaking it down into smaller pieces in order to position it correctly.
Sometimes the answer is obvious, but sometimes it isn’t. Like an engine, if you get this right, your system has a much better chance of running like a well oiled machine. Get it wrong, and you may have an engine, but it may spend more time in the garage being patched than you'd like!
How can 3Ds help ? Our consultants have a good understanding of the core IT technologies and principals. By initially taking a higher level view and stepping back from the problem, they can work with your own team & customers alike to design the solution that’s right. Whether it’s a simple script, single Windows GUI or a fully blown service-based solution with multi-layered web front ends, you'll reap the rewards by getting this step correct.
More Information
For more information
on any of the above technologies or to discuss your requirements,
however, big or small please ...
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