EsiObjects Version 4.0 Product Description
EsiObjects™ is a complete, integrated, standards-based, object-oriented database system, intended for use by professional programmers creating and transforming complex applications in a cost-conscious and time-critical environment.
The EsiObjects (pronounced 'easy objects') product line is designed to meet the needs of VARs and large end-users (Fortune 1000 companies) developing applications for mission-critical applications based on client/server and Internet technologies.
Complete
EsiObjects contains numerous foundation classes that offer developers the reusability needed to rapidly build applications. Additionally, a framework of business objects offers the user a starting point for developing object-oriented applications. EsiObjects provides all the features and reusability required to develop, test, deploy and maintain a complex application.
Integrated
EsiObjects provides a rich set of components, including a database and middleware connectivity designed to work seamlessly with each other. Developers who use EsiObjects will not need to purchase and integrate multiple products in order to build complex applications.
Standards-based
EsiObjects is layered on M Technology, which has been endorsed as a standard by ANSI, ISO and FIPS. EsiObjects is based on Microsoft Windows and is available on Windows NT. Its integrated database is based on the Object Data Management Groups (ODMG) standard specification for an Object Oriented Database Management System (OODBMS). Additionally, there is full support for the Object Query Language (OQL). EsiObjects databases can be deployed on open systems platforms. Middleware connectivity supports CORBA, COM and TCP/IP gateway, and a Java Gateway.
Object-oriented
EsiObjects supports encapsulation, polymorphism, single and multiple inheritance and messaging within a classification system. Virtual and Real objects are supported for migration of heritage systems as well as building new database systems. These features result in higher productivity, and lower life-cycle costs.
Professional
EsiObjects is an industrial strength product, intended for use by teams of professionals. The product is intended for use by VARs or large end-user organizations in major industries such as banking, manufacturing, aerospace, health care, government, etc.
Creating and Transforming
EsiObjects provides all of the features needed to transform existing M databases through virtual objects and expose those objects to the enterprise via standard, open middleware technology. More importantly, EsiObjects is fundamentally equipped to build new applications with real objects. Combining these capabilities offers the organization a migration path for their M applications.
Complex
Cost-conscious and time-critical
In a time when development cost can seriously erode the profit margin, it's important for VAR's and end users to cut costs. EsiObjects applications can be built quickly, with relatively low development, deployment and maintenance costs. Predefined class libraries offer the programmer a robust set of foundation classes. On-line help, lecture workshops and CBI's propel programmers up the learning curve and improve their product utilization skills, without costing a fortune.
EsiObjects has several key features that provide added value to the development environment, and give the product its value-added advantage.
Scripting Language
The EsiObjects Object Database is based on a flexible, powerful third-generation scripting language highly optimized for string manipulation. A key concept of the language is that it supports two data types; the variable-length string and an object id. Another key feature is that the language supports dynamic indirection and symbol substitution, providing efficient late binding for objects.
EsiObjects contains typical object oriented constructs, such as messaging, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism. Adding the string manipulation features to the EsiObjects environment positions EsiObjects as a powerful, dynamic, flexible, scripting language which implies a greater level of functionality and simplicity.
Object Oriented Database
The EsiObjects object database is based on a flexible, integrated, multi-dimensional database. This feature allows EsiObjects to provide object persistence.
Relational DBMS's are weak in their ability to handle complex data structures, such as a bill of materials, due to the inherent limits of 2-dimensional tables. This has led to the development of OODBMS products.
The EsiObjects database provides developers with features that enhance their ability to create complex databases containing various data types (numbers, variable length strings, dates, times, etc.) and structures (lists, sets, bags, maps, arrays, etc.) The flexible nature of the EsiObjects database allows developers to design the database to meet the needs of the business, rather than having to force fit enterprise data into relational tables. The database technology underlying EsiObjects has proven itself in hundreds of applications, supporting large number of users accessing mission-critical systems at thousands of sites worldwide.
Relational DBMS's use non-procedural SQL to access data. SQL wasn't designed as an application language. This forces developers to either write code using a procedural 3GL (C, C++, COBOL, etc.) language or purchase a proprietary 4GL package from a vendor. For developers who require SQL access, EsiObjects contains an integrated Query Engine based on the ODMG's Object Query Language (OQL). OQL is an object-oriented version of SQL.
Migrating Legacy M Databases to Open Technologies
Legacy MUMPS databases are commonplace throughout the world. Organizations that have invested in M Technology over the years find themselves in a quandary. How do they retain their investment, yet move their organizations to state-of-the-art, open technology. EsiObjects is the answer to those questions.
EsiObjects contains the necessary features to wrap legacy MUMPS databases and expose the data to the enterprise as objects using open technologies such as CORBA and the OMG's OODBMS standard specification. EsiObjects supports the concept of virtual objects, which are specifically designed to wrap legacy MUMPS databases.
The Department of Defense chose EsiObjects as the technology to migrate their large clinical database system to objects. As a result of that project, ESI has developed a set of sophisticated tools that assist in the transformation of legacy MUMPS applications to objects. These tools let the programmer extract data definitions from the legacy data dictionary for storage in an object repository. Additionally, business rules can be extracted from code for storage in rules object repository. Once all data definitions and rules are extracted and modified to satisfaction, a complete façade of classes, properties and methods can be generated to wrap the database.
ESI offers transformational services to prospective EsiObjects customers. Call ESI today if you are currently faced with transforming your applications to modern technology - we can help you solve that problem.