WaveMaker: It’s
Like...RAD!
Database stuck in Windows? Take RADical action and try
WaveMaker Community edition. DONALD EMMACK
Rapid application development
(RAD) is a trendy data-processing idea to
shorten application software development time. In the truest sense, RAD
should include user-friendly development tools and seamless access between
end users and actual development software. Small-business users lust for
software applications that fit this description. Commercial tools, like Microsoft
Access and AlphaSoftware, share great
success in the business community.
Both of these applications give small-business users and IT departments a
simple way to develop applications for
internal use quickly, with little effort.
Usually, a small Web-based application
can be created in only a day or two.
Rapid application development combined with a treasure trove of professionally presented training videos and
other learning resources keep these
products in the forefront of technology
and embedded in the business world.
Thus, a product like AlphaSoftware
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frequently is the cornerstone tool for
small-business users to deploy Web tools
for on-the-fly needs. Although some of
these homespun software applications
are downright ugly (from an aesthetic
and design standpoint), nonetheless,
they are critical business tools. In fact,
their importance is so profound that
some small businesses will not even
consider a Linux environment because
few tools exist that closely match the
feature set of AlphaSoftware or similar
commercial products.