
Session No. 6C Open source Pattern Development for Plex Willem de Vries, Remia Simon Jasperse, Kiboko
Agenda • Introduction • The Remia XML Case • Open Source Plex Patterns • Discussion
Introduction • The Plex reuse-building: pattern-promise • The hourglass didn’t evolve • The open source gemstone
The power of open source • Linux • Apache • 68% of web sites - Netcraft Oct 2004, 20% fortune 1000 companies • MySQL • 3rd in deployment after SQLServer and Oracle, DB2 is 4th, - July 2004, SD Times • PHP • 30%, asp 50%, cfm 20%, Oct 2004, various • Mozilla • 5% and counting • Big Players joining • IBM, CA, Microsoft
Characteristics • Free • Community ownership, free distribution • Source code distribution • Users can change the product • Peer Review • Users can influence the product • Distribution • No restriction in parties - secondary software • Review Board / Committee • Decides on core product
Open Source Basic idea The basic idea behind open source is very simple: When programmers can read, redistribute, and modify the source code for a piece of software, the software evolves. People improve it, people adapt it, people fix bugs. And this can happen at a speed that, if one is used to the slow pace of conventional software development, seems astonishing.
Remia XML Case • XML Pattern developed in 2000 • Data presentation - Data Transfer - Extract Model Info • Edge Presentations London - Barcelona - Vegas • pattern exchange - forum messages - more exchange • Exchanged with 7 parties • swap patterns • pattern Enhancements, Java Variant by BFM • comments, discussions and suggestions • large time savings reported
Remia XML Case • Product improvement • programming quality, increased functionality • Maintenance • updating / distributing / communication • Open source idea • discussions
Remia XML Case: Distribution • Pattern 8 sites • Remia • Datanomics • BF&M • CCH • DeltaLogic • niit-tech • Data Specialists • ReadyPac • Manual .. sites Known use
Previous / Similar initiatives • CA / Fowler cooperation, discontinued? • OPAC, asleep? • http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OPAC/ • Open MiniPatterns, asleep? • http://www.geocities.com/coolplexde/OpenMiniPattern.html • Pattern Factory, active and involved • http://www.patternfactory.net/ • Lessons learnt?
Open source & Pattern Factory • Joint development • Contents • Quality • Broad applicability • Multi-variant development • Programmers participation • Distribution • Free, no model licencing • Restricted on contribution?
Discussion • Is it viable? • In what form? • Patterns to build • Technical matters
Forum Discussion • Open Source Patterns Anyone? 13-10-04 • www.edgeusergroup.org/forums/Thread.cfm?CFApp=82?&Thread_ID=28782 • 17 Participants • Mostly positive: “count me in” • Combine Pattern Factory and OS • CA should support the initiative • Best without CA, user community to make it work • Open source initiative can make a difference • Funny you should mention that • Rules and commitments for all participants • Just about the only thing that will get the Plex community any improvements to the tool. • Developers are not ready to share such resources
Forum Discussion: Poll • Poll (17 forum participants) • How much time can you spend on OS? • What kind of Activities do you want to do? • What kind of Organisation do we need? • Patterns to build? • Patterns to share? • 5 replies, 2 refer to Prague
Forum Discussion: Poll • How much time can you spend? 4 replies • 2-4 days/month • 5-25 hrs/week • 1-3 hrs/day • 15-20 hrs/week • Which Activities • Pattern Design, Pattern Building, Code review, Testing, Documentation, Standards, Board, Model Management • all
Forum Discussion: Poll • What kind of Organisation? • Plex community might be too small • Role of CA technical / organisational resource • Small oversight board to facilitate / coordinate activities • Org to develop as we go • Pattern "owner" as pivot • OPAC as platform • Free discussion followed by project leading to org structure • Establish conditions members should comply with • Standards and guidelines to govern all development? Special Interest Groups to develop patterns conform standards
Forum Discussion: Poll • Patterns to build? • Small, wide use pilot pattern • Stick to CA base classes? • Technology (small) patterns or business patterns? • XML export/import • JAVA variant of some patterns • String management, File management (Multiplatform), Messaging management, Ad hoc data processing, Linux support…
Forum Discussion: Poll • Patterns to share? • Treeview a entity with TreeView/TreeView • Filter+ filterfunction. • EditDetailSts+, EditDialogSts+ Includes logical deletion, reactivation • Print+ OBase-like reportfunction • Test and debug existing applications • CA patterns+ • Extended MAPI pattern
Forum Discussion: Poll • Patterns to share? • Text file handling for C++ • RPGSQL • MQ Series - windows environment ( working on iSeries version) • FTP – windows and iSeries • MSMQ – windows • DB2/400 triggers (work in progress) • Outlook display