ICE™ is a set of integrated object-oriented components designed to work with certain data structures. The components are organized into integrated component sets, called frameworks. These are related components designed to perform an overall type of function, such as data presentation. The main component sets are:
- data presentation and forms
- user accounts and access control
- business operations and workflow
- interactive reports
- ecommerce
- customer service and fulfillment
- administration
Each of these components is designed to work in a web environment. Figure 1 shows users making web-based (http) requests and the components accessing various data sources to dynamically assemble an http result and deliver it back to the user. Dynamic web pages are integral to the environment and this is one reason the environment is so flexible.
The components are designed to work with relational databases and to use meta data to create data driven applications. For example, classes of screens can be set up using a basic form-table relationship, with various categories and attributes applied to create variations. The categories and attributes are set up as data, and by modifying categories and attributes, data driven screens can be set up. Since categories and attributes can be managed through an administration system, screens are extensible simply by changing category or attribute data using the administration system. This same approach applies to other aspects of a system such as searching, data presentation, and reporting.
Component modifiers allow the behavior and results of components to be controlled without writing code. There are three main types of modifiers, presentation modifiers, attributes and business rules. The components invoke presentation macros to produce results, and these macros can be modified to produce the desired web content. Using attribute values, features of the components can be changed, ranging from simple changes like changing the number of columns in a tabular display of items, or more far reaching changes such as changing the type of data source used. Attribute values can be changed dynamically on-the-fly to use the same component different ways to respond to a given request. The components utilize business rules captured as easily modified stored procedures.
External integration points allow for integration to other systems using a variety of interface technologies. Components are built-in to provide for interfacing to other http-based systems, interfacing via XML, FTP, and data exchange using ODBC or data transfer.
more >
;)
