How Open is OpenInsight?

Connecting our Database to Other Technologies

Introduction• Extending OpenInsight

• Connecting to Other Databases

• Using OpenInsight from Other Applications

Extending OpenInsight• DLLs

• COM Objects

• OLE/ActiveX Controls

• .NET

DLLs• Access third party utilities and libraries

• Utilize the Win32 API

• Improve Performance– Write performance critical modules in C++

• DLL Hell

• Examples:– SRP Mail, SRP Array, SRP Buffer

COM Objects• Access third party utilities and libraries

– Commercial– Propriety

• OLE Automation Objects– Microsoft Office

• Demo: Automating MS Word

• COM Objects must be registered– Increases deployment difficulty

OLE/ActiveX Controls• Extends the User Interface

– Advanced versions existing controls– Provide unique data visualization

• Demos– Scheduling Interface– SRP OLE Controls

• Not all third party controls are compatible

• Must be Registered

.NET• Splaver’s OIdotNET

• .NET Controls use ActiveX technology

• .NET Components use COM Object support

• Demo

Connecting to Other Databases• ODBC

• Universe/Unidata Bond

• XML

• CTO / AREV32

ODBC• Connect to existing databases

– Database provides ODBC compliant driver

• Read and Write Support

• Ideal for:– Migrations– Inter-Database Communication

• Example– BOBWare

Universe/Unidata Bond• Treats Universe tables like OpenInsight tables

• Uses COM support– OpenInsight 7.1 or greater

• Useful for– Migrations– Modernizing Graphical Use Interface

XML• Simple

• Database Independent

• Standards Bases

• Ready for Web– Soap

• XML is Multi-valued– Delimiters = Tags

CTO / AREV32• CTO

– Embedded Green Screens

• AREV32– Based on CTO– Executes AREV applications within OI windows

• Excellent for Migrations

• Tables Imported into OpenInsight

Using OpenInsight from Other Applications• OpenInsight ODBC Driver

• RevCAPI / RevShell DLLs

• XRev COM Object

• EngineServer / OECGI

OpenInsight ODBC Driver• Read Only

• Export Data into ODBC Client Applications– MS Excel– MS Access

• Useful for sending OpenInsight data to client databases

RevCAPI / RevShell DLLs• Supported by Most Languages

• Low Level– Manual Memory Management

• More Complicated

XRev COM Object• More Object Oriented

• Supported by Higher Level Languages– Visual Basic– .NET

• Useful for Integrating Modern GUIs– .NET Forms– ASP.NET

• Demo

EngineServer / OECGI• Manage Remote Engines

• OECGI / OECGI2– Internet

• EngineServer– Great for Servers– Emulate Threading

Conclusion• Extending OpenInsight

– Enhance GUI– Added Functionality

• Connecting to Other Databases– Simpler Migration– Communication

• Using OpenInsight from Other Applications– Export to Other Applications– Provide Alternative GUI

Thank You

Any Questions?