Aiming for power users whose idea of programming is developing Excel macros, Helmi Technologies Inc is introducing an Ajax development tool where you hardly touch the Ajax. That is, it hides the JavaScript, DHTML, and for the most part, XML.
The Helmi Open Source RIA Platform includes a Client Framework, Virtual Browser, Integrated Development Environment and J2EE-based back end AJAX Server Connect for creating Ajax rich Internet applications.
Instead, you use a virtual browser, which is a browser-like front end that hides the idiosyncrasies of individual browsers that would otherwise introduce compatibility issues. You develop primarily using drag and drop techniques with objects and constructs to paint a browser screen.
Behind the scenes, the virtual browser client uses advanced memory caching methods so objects or components are populated onto the local screen rapidly on demand.
We have property and object caches that make clients render pages and fetch objects that the applications needs more efficiently than a regular browser, claimed Jorden Woods, who heads the Finnish company’s US business.
The Helmi Open Source RIA Platform is available under a dual license basis. It uses a support license similar to that offered by Red Hat for internal users, and a MySQL-like license for OEMs that want to use the tool for developing commercial products.
