DBMS, January 1998
From reading many IT publications, I have recently come to feel that the industry seems to have little concern for problems with programming languages and maintenance of applications. For example, Microsoft is presently exhorting its Distributed Network Architecture and strategic support for DHTML (Dynamic HTML). In my opinion, from what I presently understand of HTML and DHTML, the language (if you can call it that) is not and may never be a cost-effective way to implement Web-based systems. Nor is JavaScript or VBScript. Why?
Jon Gupta
jon_gupta@cinet.com
I think your concerns have a great deal of merit. However, there are some considerations that may indicate things are not too bad ı yet. Many technologies are being tried in pilot projects, or even real applications, but many of these applications will be relatively short-lived. In a word, they are disposable. Instead of being maintained, they will eventually be redeveloped and replaced using yet another new technology.
Another trend to consider is that an increasing amount of processing logic is migrating to middle-tier application servers. HTML and scripting languages can be used on both the client (browser) and server tiers, but I suspect that most HTML and scripting is for client-side logic. (HTML appears on the server as part of templates used to dynamically generate pages. Server-side scripting is used within CGI or similar programs.) I think Java will soon become the language of choice for server-side programming.
I donıt mean to minimize your legitimate concerns, only to add other insights.
ıMaurice Frank
Editor-in-Chief
I live in Calcutta, India, and online magazines like DBMS are a boon to freelance developers like me for staying in touch with the latest developments around the world in database and application development technologies.
Mustafa Sabuwala
mustafa@beer.com
Tom Spitzerıs September 1997 article, "Component Architectures" was very interesting. I would appreciate a case study of an existing two-tier client/server application and how it was moved to three- or n-tier using DCOM/CORBA. Also, it would be good if some COM development tools were reviewed, such as Rational Rose, Net Dynamics, etc.
Ramana
ramana@exeter.com
The DBMS Web site [www.dbmsmag. com] is great! Itıs wonderfully laid out and easy to use. I just resubscribed and found the process to be delightful. I have stacks of old DBMS magazines that I rifle through looking for articles on relevant topics. I am glad I found your Web site ı you directed me to it on the subscription renewal form. Thanks! Iıll be back to visit again!
Karen Abbey
kabbey@llbean.com
Correction: In our Readersı Choice winner listings (December 1997), the address for the division of Seagate Software that handles Crystal Reports should have read: 1095 West Pender St., 4th Floor, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 2M6; www.seagatesoftware.com; 604-681-3435. DBMS regrets the error.