.NET APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT : WHY TO CHOOSE IT AS AN APPLICATION FRAMEWORK FOR WEB SERVICES
Application Frameworks are basically a cluster of guidelines & specifications that offer numerous platforms, tools & even the programming environment – all this to address different business needs like designing, integration, performance, security, reliability and scalability of both distributed & multi-tiered applications.
Not just the above, an application framework also includes the server-side processing, session management, data caching & logging services for web based solutions. Precisely, the following are the most important characteristics & services offered in the form of benefits by the application frameworks –
a) Transaction Management
b) State Management
c) Application Integration services
d) Administration Services
e) Run-Time Services
f) Messaging Services
g) BPM – Business Process Management Services
h) Graphical UI support – Web Browsers & Wireless Devices
i) Scalability, Security, Flexibility, Inetgrity & Robustness
Different application frameworks for client-server or web-based applications are classified only into two technologies – Microsoft .NET and Java 2 Enterprise Edition. However, here we will discuss only about the .NET. So let’s take a brief look and know what exactly this technology is & what it offers.
What is Microsoft .Net Framework
Microsoft .Net is a platform that comprises of servers, clients & services and includes basic runtime libraries along with user-interface libraries, the Common Language Runtime (CLR), C#, C++, VB.NET and the .Net Framework APIs. Basically, it comprises the following major things.
1. .Net Platform –
This Microsoft platform incorporates the tools & sophisticated infrastructure to build .Net services & .Net device software.
2. .Net Products & Services –
This includes Microsoft .Net-based enterprise servers that support the .Net Framework like – BizTalk Server 2002 & SQL Server 2000, Windows.NET, Visual Studio .NET and Office .NET.
3. Third-party Vendor
Third-party vendor services are the services that are built using .NET Platform
Now, most of you might be wondering how to choose a good application framework for web services. Here lies the answer – If you want to opt between 2 architecturally different frameworks for Web Services implementation, you are not the only company who is going through the dilemma. Even the large IT groups employing developers to mid-level & senior-level managers go nervous when it comes to deciding about the frameworks. Clearly, it is not easy to make a perfect choice especially if your company caters to both the platforms.
But ultimately, to make a decision you should consider the following 8 factors –
1. Evaluate - Check the existing framework that your company is using. If you use both the frameworks, then you need to figure out the best your employees can work with & how much human resource is actually efficient in deploying those frameworks. If your human resource is not at place, you will end up losing a heavy chunk of investment dollars and your project deadlines may also suffer. Also make sure to figure out the hands-on experience in implementing each framework
2. Measure your ROI - : This pretty sums it up all. The ultimate thing that you want out of a project would be the returns on your investment & obviously the efforts of your team. Carefully decide which framework implementation can yield a higher returns on investment and raise your ROI up to a considerable level. Putting it simply, first you should know which framework will fit your client’s budget & can also reap profits for you.
3. Sync Business Strategy - : Ask yourself whether your company has a long-term business strategy or a short-term business strategy and then figure out which framework fits the best according to situations.
4. Support -: You might have a wonderful IT infrastructure with all the things right in place, but taking into account the low cost of ownership is also important if you want to succeed. Here you need to check which framework can be easily supported within your IT infrastructure and what will lead the best results within low-cost investments
5. Human Resource Expertise – Human resource is the most important thing you can’t just ignore because ultimately your employees are your organization’s best assets who can either make it or break it. So try to find out the expertise of your developers, senior & mid-level managers in both the frameworks. You can do this by either having a great brainstorming sessions & pre-deciding which one will fit the project best. Also consider the man-hours required in the project and measure the efficiency of each individual. If you’re short of time, you can also predict everything from their past accomplishments which will make it much easier for you to decide.
6. Technology Evolution - : Yes, this is also an important factor to be considered in the sense that technology is seeing a rapid evolution in itself. Every other day, there is a new invention, a new version release or a new component jumping in to add to the product. So here you need to figure out that the products built on which framework are evolving more rapidly and in sync with the Web Services standards. Also try to check whether these are defined or not so that you can opt for the correct application framework that will suit your project.
7. Characteristics - : Taking in account the individual characteristics of each framework is also a deciding criterion when it comes to choosing between the two. This is because some characteristics are a pre-requisite without which you can’t think of building an application. Some of the most important must have characteristics that you should look for are – Scalability, Robustness, Flexibility, Security, Complexity & Integrity. While there should be high level of scalability, reliability, robustness & security in the application framework you choose; you must also look for reduced complexity so that your business logic & the client’s delivery model is simple enough to deploy, explore & use by the end users.
8. 3Rd Party Vendor Services Integration – It has never been easy to sync your application with 3rd party vendors that offer a diverse range of services. You need to think about this thing also beforehand. Just remember that if the application framework chosen by you isn’t easily integrated; all your efforts, money & time in building an application from the scratch will go in vain. Choose the one with greater flexibility, support & integrity
Now that we have already discussed about .NET, like
us, most of you will find that .NET fits most of your project requirements.
However, to get a successful enterprise-ready business application, don’t
forget to define your own standards for operational management, workflow, and
business rules, transactional integrity etc so that you don’t end up scratching
your head if anything goes wrong.
At Dean Infotech, we have an efficient IT team to create & deploy .NET Applications and also support clients in trouble by maintenance services. If you’re looking for such services, contact us at www.deaninfoetch.com and we’ll help you with your project within no time.