Limits of Web

[Su...@epamail.epa.gov]

I have a question regarding the limits of web applications.

I sent out an e-mail requesting help for a problem with submitting multiple
forms and the responses I am getting say I am nuts for trying to do such
complicated application on the Web.

My problem is that I work for a government agency that wants to take very
complicated client server data entry and reporting applications (there are
master/details that go three levels deep) and rewrite them for use on the
web.

In order to save money they want them to be similar enough to the
client-server applications so that they will not have to retrain users.   I
am currently finishing up the first (and easiest) of these applications and
have had not a few headaches and frustrations.

My question is using technologies such as Java, Tomcat, JSP, and Tag
Libraries, how realistic is it to expect to be able to develop complicated
data entry forms with the same ease of use, precision, and stability as
client server applications using such tools as Java Swing, PowerBuilder, VB
or Oracle Developer?  Are there tools that I am missing that would make
this easier or is the web just not able to handle such sophisticated apps?
Am I setting myself up for disaster?

Thanks In Advance


Jeff Sulman

Re: Limits of Web

[Jonathan Eric Miller <je...@uchicago.edu>]

I think it depends on the requirements of the application. If all you need
is data entry forms that contain elements such as text boxes, drop-down
list, radio buttons, etc., then, you can do it no problem. In the end, you
may find that it's actually a hell of a lot easier making them Web based.
The way you write things is a bit different, but, once you get some of the
basics down, it's not that hard. One of the main issues that you face when
migrating from a client/server environment to a Web environment is the fact
that HTTP is a stateless protocol. However, Java Servlets let you store
session/state information on the server side which solves this problem.

Jon

----- Original Message -----
From: <Su...@epamail.epa.gov>
To: <to...@jakarta.apache.org>
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2001 9:59 AM
Subject: Limits of Web


> I have a question regarding the limits of web applications.
>
> I sent out an e-mail requesting help for a problem with submitting
multiple
> forms and the responses I am getting say I am nuts for trying to do such
> complicated application on the Web.
>
> My problem is that I work for a government agency that wants to take very
> complicated client server data entry and reporting applications (there are
> master/details that go three levels deep) and rewrite them for use on the
> web.
>
> In order to save money they want them to be similar enough to the
> client-server applications so that they will not have to retrain users.
I
> am currently finishing up the first (and easiest) of these applications
and
> have had not a few headaches and frustrations.
>
> My question is using technologies such as Java, Tomcat, JSP, and Tag
> Libraries, how realistic is it to expect to be able to develop complicated
> data entry forms with the same ease of use, precision, and stability as
> client server applications using such tools as Java Swing, PowerBuilder,
VB
> or Oracle Developer?  Are there tools that I am missing that would make
> this easier or is the web just not able to handle such sophisticated apps?
> Am I setting myself up for disaster?
>
> Thanks In Advance
>
>
> Jeff Sulman
>

Re: Limits of Web

[Jim Cheesman <jc...@msl.es>]

At 04:59 PM 24/09/01, you wrote:
>I have a question regarding the limits of web applications.
>
>I sent out an e-mail requesting help for a problem with submitting multiple
>forms and the responses I am getting say I am nuts for trying to do such
>complicated application on the Web.
>
>My problem is that I work for a government agency that wants to take very
>complicated client server data entry and reporting applications (there are
>master/details that go three levels deep) and rewrite them for use on the
>web.
>
>In order to save money they want them to be similar enough to the
>client-server applications so that they will not have to retrain users.   I
>am currently finishing up the first (and easiest) of these applications and
>have had not a few headaches and frustrations.
>
>My question is using technologies such as Java, Tomcat, JSP, and Tag
>Libraries, how realistic is it to expect to be able to develop complicated
>data entry forms with the same ease of use, precision, and stability as
>client server applications using such tools as Java Swing, PowerBuilder, VB
>or Oracle Developer?  Are there tools that I am missing that would make
>this easier or is the web just not able to handle such sophisticated apps?
>Am I setting myself up for disaster?


Just out of interest, what's to stop you using a Swing applet?


Jim




--

                           *   Jim Cheesman   *
             Trabajo: 
jchees@msl.es - (34)(91) 724 9200 x 2360
                    I have my 
doubts about disbelief.