JEvolution

JEvolution is a graphical Java application development and deployment environment. According to MCM Software CEO Mauricio Castro, "A typical application developed with JEvolution, such as a complete inquiry system, can be created from beginning to end including design, development and deployment - in record time of just one hour - with zero need for programming knowledge in Java, HTML, JSP or XML."

The environment allows users to first define connections to multiple backend databases; providing to JEvolution the parameters necessary for connecting to those DBs such as the URL, ID, and password. In its initial release, JEvolution supports multiple DBs, including DB2/UDB, DB2/400, Oracle, Sybase, MS SQL Server, and MySQL. The base JEvolution package provides one database connector; additional connectors are priced individually.

Once connected to the DBs, the user/developer can create their own data "Universe," selecting from among the tables and information supplied within the DBs the data they will need for their application. Existing relationships between data tables can be viewed, and with JEvolution's initial release, new relationships can be defined amongst tables within the same DB connection. The vendor states that future revisions will include the ability to define relationships across multiple DB connections.

Once the necessary data has been modeled, additional tools are provided to the user enabling them to define the interactions that will take place with the data in their application. A business rules assistant helps the user in the creation of the necessary SQL statements needed to interact with the appropriate database(s), and a template-based "Application Map" can then be created to represent the HTML screens that will be used to interface the business rules and interactions to the end user.

Finally, the entire project is given a version number by an administrator designated individual, and the necessary XML/XSL/Java components of the applications are generated and logged. Further revisions of the application are then generated using new version numbers, allowing for multiple versions of the application to be stored.

Deployment tools are provided in the initial release allowing for the automated deployment of a JEvolution application to Apache/Tomcat, IBM WebSphere, BEA WebLogic and iPlanet. Deployment of a JEvolution application itself requires the JEvolution Logic Server. One such server is provided within the JEvolution purchase price; additional servers are priced at $10,000 a piece.

JEvolution is available now, in both Stand alone and Enterprise flavors. The Stand alone version is intended for single developer use, and is priced at $17,500 (one database connector, one logic server, and a DB2 Universal license for the JEvolution data repository). The Entererprise version is for actual application deployment environments, and adds support for 5 developers with a base price of $40,000. Additional developers are $2,000 each; additional database connectors are $5,000 each.

Contact MCM Software for further information.