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UI Display and Process Components
All screens are created and edited using the visual interactive editor based on the patented "PowerBuilder DataWindow Engine" from Sybase. Both metadata and UI-control attributes (for example X, Y, hight and width) as well as embedded process logic used to define relations between individual UI-controls are defined in this tool. This UI design environment is used accross all delopyment platforms (for eksample Windows, Mobil and Web).
- Encapsulated mapping between UI entities and database fields
The specialized editor builds bridge over on one hand, on screen fields/entities and on the other hand fields in a table in the underlying database. There is an established procedure for how different entities are created and extended. The encapsulation of database object management means that the application designer does not have to spend time on understanding the fysical constraints emposed by the underlying database structure such as field datatypes, dimensioning, storage and SELECT/UPDATE logic related to individual fields and controls.
- UI relationships defined in intuitive spreadsheet format
Many other functionalities of the DataWindow service is used for Non-procedual Evaluation, which enabled conditional relationship between UI elements. This is for example used to manage color, visibility or position of a given UI element based on current context and real-time evaluation of data kombined with a users security profil level.
- Effective deployment of complex data-driven UI
Consequently, the different UI elements representing various business entities are created and maintained with a primary focus on supporting business processes. Effective deployment does not require technical skills and understanding of low level database architecture.
- Multi language support and application specific terminologi
UI language management supports user specific language configuration. Each user may have individuallized screen language. Also, application specific terminology is supported based user profile attributes.
Messages and data written to the database through automated datamanipulation services (for example data import and transformation) are entered in the language that is designated "system language", which typically is a language all users understand. Consequently, a common launguage is established as a basis for individually translated UI's, enabling concurrent support for multible languages. |
