IT, an alternative to conventional programming<\/p>\n
Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
There once was a time when Information Technology (IT) belonged
\nto the elite.<\/p>\n
Needed to computerize your catalog system? You had to call in
\na programmer. Did the company require a new database system? Get
\na database specialist. Did you want to integrate all the
\ndepartmental functions into a single computer system that could
\ncater to their individual needs? Buy Enterprise Resource Planning
\n(ERP) software.<\/p>\n
Back then, creating custom-made computer applications required
\na computer science degree, hard-core coding skills and knowledge
\nof some of the world's most complicated computer programming
\nlanguages. Industrial programs were expensive, frequently hard to
\nmaintain, used difficult command line interfaces and required
\nstate of the art hardware that would become obsolete within a few
\nyears.<\/p>\n
That was before the Internet age.<\/p>\n
Nowadays, applications can utilize popular yet easy to use
\ngraphical user interfaces (GUI) with a mouse. Accessing data is
\nnow as simple as logging onto a website, pointing and clicking.
\nThe price of computer hardware has dropped, and software is now
\neasier to install and maintain. But there is still the perception
\nthat custom-made software is extremely expensive to create.<\/p>\n
With advances in technology come new computer programming
\nlanguages and techniques that make it easier, faster and less
\nexpensive to make software. Instead of making an application
\nusing conventional programming, companies can instead use
\nInternet Technology.<\/p>\n
\"Conventional\" applications are usually created by programmers
\nusing high-level languages such as C++. The application then has
\nto be installed on each computer in a network for it to talk to
\nthe main server (if applicable) to share files and data. Staff
\nmembers would need to be trained in the sometimes archaic
\ncommands of the program to complete their tasks.<\/p>\n
Internet Technology uses the various client-server
\nassociations that are already used online. Proven and tested by
\nmillions, Web technology has evolved from creating a simple
\nhomepage showcasing your hobbies to running multinational
\nbusinesses, both on the front side (for their clients) and back
\nend (for their internal business processes).<\/p>\n
Instead of installing and executing a program on every
\ncomputer, users simply fire up their favorite Web browser and
\naccess the application via the network. Users' logins can be
\ncustomized and retain all their data because all information is
\nstored on the central server, not individual machines. Thus,
\npeople can be more mobile in accessing and manipulating their
\ndata.<\/p>\n
There are multiple benefits to using Web technology. No longer
\ndo you require new (read expensive) hardware for your users, as
\nany legacy computer (of any type, brand and operating system)
\nwith a network card and an Internet browser will do. The
\napplication is easy to use as most people are familiar with the
\ngraphical Web interface of menus, fill-in forms and hyperlinks.<\/p>\n
The Web-based application is hosted on a central server that
\ncan be backed up and stored in a different location for Disaster
\nRecovery. It is faster to correct any program errors and add new
\nfeatures since the application is on the server. Change the code
\non the server and users will immediately see the changes without
\nhaving to reinstall any programs.<\/p>\n
In short, nearly everything conventional software can do,
\nInternet-based technology can also do.<\/p>\n
For example, take an educational institution. It compiles
\ninformation from a variety of sources, mostly paper forms and
\nfiles from the filing cabinet. Instead of having students fill in
\nthe blanks, they could simply walk up to a public terminal on
\ncampus (or via the Internet) to enter their information online,
\nand obtain a printout for their school to approve.<\/p>\n
Academic administrators could keep track of their students and
\nfinances while lecturers could print out their schedules, grades
\nand assignments, all using an Internet-like e-campus application.<\/p>\n
Treating the application as a website, the application program
\ncan also be expanded (add new features and modules) \"on the fly\",
\nso no downtime is required.<\/p>\n
There are of course limitations to Web-based technology, such
\nas the restrictions of an application due to the complexity of
\nthe business process it hopes to emulate. But Internet Technology
\nshould be considered the next time a company is in the market for
\na new system.<\/p>\n
There are many talented IT companies in Indonesia that can
\ndesign and create an application faster and considerably cheaper
\nwith Web-based technologies then with conventional software.<\/p>\n
And if you have time, you could probably do it yourself! Grab
\na book, learn a bit of HTML, Javascript, Active Server Pages
\n(ASP) or Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) so you too can create your
\nown software. It doesn't have to be complicated. Even the
\nsimplest of Web programs can get the job done.<\/p>",
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