Earlier releases of FlashCONNECT provided a browser-based middleware component between FlashCONNECT clients, Web servers, and the database. This enabled remote, cross-platform capabilities for programmers to write and post applications using BASIC subroutines and display these applications in HTML templates creating viewable Web pages.
FlashCONNECT allows BASIC applications (BASIC business rules), through built-in subroutines, to use the external components as an input and output device. Additionally, Java, C++, Visual Basic, and other popular programming applications can work with these BASIC business rules.
FlashCONNECT 3.1 extends this functionality and creates flexibility by introducing new components. The new components include interoperability with the mvDesigner Client and Server through the FlashCONNECT Socket Server connections and introducing FCServlet which increases Web server performance.
FlashCONNECT 3.1 is a middleware package that connects BASIC business rules with TCP/IP-based external components, such as Web servers, Java programs, JavaScript, Visual Basic, and mvDesigner Servers.
FlashCONNECT uses either CGI, ISAPI, Java Servlet, or TCP/IP to connect to an mvDesigner or Web Server. FlashCONNECT also uses named pipes for inter-process communication. FlashCONNECT subroutines send a Web page to the user’s browser. When a user submits a response, FlashCONNECT subroutines retrieve the information submitted by the user and the process repeats.
A FlashCONNECT connection to a browser or to an mvDesigner Server provides a GUI for your database application and meets e-commerce requirements with the following features:
• Transparent interoperability with mvDesigner, a connection between database and mvDesigner Server
• Compatible with browsers and Web servers
• Compatible with third-party tools
• Uses familiar BASIC programming subroutines to get you up and running quickly
• Creates static and active (or dynamic) Web pages from database queries
• Supports Secure Socket Server Layers
• Enhances Web server performance with FlashCONNECT Java Components
Before installing FlashCONNECT, think about the features and how you want to use this product. The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) must be installed on your computer in order to use FlashCONNECT components with mvDesigner to provide a GUI interface or FCServlet to use the servlet interface.
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NOTE— |
If you do not want to use FCServlet or mvDesigner, the JRE is not needed. |
FlashCONNECT installs and connects on a Web or mvDesigner Server to one or more database servers. Your Web applications, whether static or dynamic, allow you to determine the type of user interaction you require.
These applications can be distributed across several systems through optional server pool connections, which also allows for load balancing and tighter control of resource allocation. Additionally, creating virtual directories allows these applications and servers to communicate across multiple platforms regardless of which directory is specified in the URL or link or type of Web server where the Web application is running.
This diagram illustrates the fundamental components of FlashCONNECT:
