This project describes DRG (Dynamic Report Generator). This program can be used on the internet to summarize the content of a database based on user criteria. DRG allows the user to choose a database, input the data, and generate a report based on user input, and print out the results in a new format. This paper describes the design and analysis of the DRG program.

This study develops and applies a conceptual framework that can be used to evaluate dynamic Web platforms in order to determine a platform for teaching Web application development in tertiary institutions. The framework is specific, yet comprehensive and supported with theory and empirical experimental programming results. We first identify the concepts of Web application development and the constraints to be satisfied by a platform for teaching identified concepts. Then we establish various criteria that will enhance the teaching of the concepts. We also establish qualities and experiment that will ensure that a selected platform is easy to use, fast, portable and affordable. A spreadsheet tool is developed to apply the framework and enable users to customize the framework by varying the criteria's weights. The developed framework is tested by the evaluation of the suitability of Java Servlets, JSP, ASP and PHP with PHP emerging as a suitable platform. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

The primary contributions to the area of electronic business integration, propounded by this thesis, are (in no particular order):  A novel examination of global Business-to-Business (B2B) interoperability in terms of a "multiplicity paradox" and of a "global electronic market-space" from a Complex Systems Science perspective.  A framework for an, integrated, global electronic market-space, which is based on a hierarchical, incremental, minimalist-business-pattern approach. A Web Services-SOA forms the basis of application-to-application integration within the framework. The framework is founded in a comprehensive study of existing technologies, standards and models for secure interoperability and the SOA paradigm. The Complex Systems Science concepts of "predictable structure" and "structural complexity" are used consistently throughout the progressive formulation of the framework.  A model for a global message handler (including a standards-based message-format) which obviates the common problems implicit in standard SOAP-RPC. It is formulated around the "standardized, common, abstract application interface" critical success factor, deduced from examining existing models. The model can be used in any collaboration context.  An open standards-based security model for the global message handler. Conceptually, the framework comprises the following:  An interoperable standardized message format: a standardized SOAP-envelope with standardized attachments (8-bit binary MIME-serialized XOP packages).  An interoperable standardized message-delivery infrastructure encompassing an RPC-invoked message-handler - a Web service, operating in synchronous and/or asynchronous mode, which relays attachments to service endpoints.  A business information processing infrastructure comprised of: a standardized generic minimalist-business-pattern (simple buying/selling), comprising global pre-specifications for business processes (for example, placing an order), standardized specific atomic business activities (e.g. completing an order-form), a standardized document-set (including, e.g. an order-form) based on standardized metadata (common nomenclature and common semantics used in XSD's, e.g. the order-form), the standardized corresponding choreography for atomic activities (e.g. acknowledgement of receipt of order-form) and service endpoints (based on standardized programming interfaces and virtual methods with customized implementations). / Theoretical Computing / PHD (INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

Software as a service is an emerging but important aspect of the web. WebServices play a vital role in providing it. Web Services are commonly provided in one of two architectural styles: a "REpresentational State Transfer" (REST), or using the "Simple Object Access Protocol" (SOAP.) Originally most web content was text and small images. But more recent services involve complex data structures including text, images, audio, and video. The task of optimizing data to provide delivery of these structures is a complex one, involving both theoretical and practical aspects. In this thesis work, I have considered two architectures developed in the REST architectural style and tested them on mixes of data types (plain text, image, audio) being retrieved from a file system or database. The payload which carries the actual content of a data transmission process can either be in Extensible Markup Language (XML) or JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). Both of these language notations are widely used. The two architectures used in this thesis work are titled as Scenario 1 and Scenario 2. Scenario 1 proposes two different cases for storing, retrieving and presenting the data via a REST web service. We investigate the question of what is the best way to provide different data types (image, audio) via REST Web Service. Payload size for JSON and XML are compared. Scenario 2 proposes an enhanced and optimized architecture which is derived from the pros of the first two cases in Scenario 1. The proposed architecture is best suited for retrieving and serving non-homogeneous data as a service in a homogenous environment. This thesis is composed of theoretical and practical parts. The theory part contains the design and principles of REST architecture. The practical part has a Web Service provider and consumer model developed in Java. The practical part is developed using the Spring MVC framework and Apache CXF, which provides an implementation using JAX-RS, the Java API for RESTful services. A glossary of acronyms used in this thesis appears in the appendix on page 101.

This study develops and applies a conceptual framework that can be used to evaluate dynamic Web platforms in order to determine a platform for teaching Web application development in tertiary institutions. The framework is specific, yet comprehensive and supported with theory and empirical experimental programming results. We first identify the concepts of Web application development and the constraints to be satisfied by a platform for teaching identified concepts. Then we establish various criteria that will enhance the teaching of the concepts. We also establish qualities and experiment that will ensure that a selected platform is easy to use, fast, portable and affordable. A spreadsheet tool is developed to apply the framework and enable users to customize the framework by varying the criteria's weights. The developed framework is tested by the evaluation of the suitability of Java Servlets, JSP, ASP and PHP with PHP emerging as a suitable platform. / Computing / M.Sc. (Information Systems)

The primary contributions to the area of electronic business integration, propounded by this thesis, are (in no particular order):  A novel examination of global Business-to-Business (B2B) interoperability in terms of a "multiplicity paradox" and of a "global electronic market-space" from a Complex Systems Science perspective.  A framework for an, integrated, global electronic market-space, which is based on a hierarchical, incremental, minimalist-business-pattern approach. A Web Services-SOA forms the basis of application-to-application integration within the framework. The framework is founded in a comprehensive study of existing technologies, standards and models for secure interoperability and the SOA paradigm. The Complex Systems Science concepts of "predictable structure" and "structural complexity" are used consistently throughout the progressive formulation of the framework.  A model for a global message handler (including a standards-based message-format) which obviates the common problems implicit in standard SOAP-RPC. It is formulated around the "standardized, common, abstract application interface" critical success factor, deduced from examining existing models. The model can be used in any collaboration context.  An open standards-based security model for the global message handler. Conceptually, the framework comprises the following:  An interoperable standardized message format: a standardized SOAP-envelope with standardized attachments (8-bit binary MIME-serialized XOP packages).  An interoperable standardized message-delivery infrastructure encompassing an RPC-invoked message-handler - a Web service, operating in synchronous and/or asynchronous mode, which relays attachments to service endpoints.  A business information processing infrastructure comprised of: a standardized generic minimalist-business-pattern (simple buying/selling), comprising global pre-specifications for business processes (for example, placing an order), standardized specific atomic business activities (e.g. completing an order-form), a standardized document-set (including, e.g. an order-form) based on standardized metadata (common nomenclature and common semantics used in XSD's, e.g. the order-form), the standardized corresponding choreography for atomic activities (e.g. acknowledgement of receipt of order-form) and service endpoints (based on standardized programming interfaces and virtual methods with customized implementations). / Theoretical Computing / PHD (INFORMATION SYSTEMS)

The aims of this project hope to trace the factors affecting teachers' use of technology, with a concentration on Internet usage, and offer steps in helping teachers move toward integrating the Internet into their curriculum.

This project will simulate an online real estate company using JSP, Java Servlet and JavaBean technology.

Increasing speed of networks and worldwide availability has made the World Wide Web the most significant medium for information exchange. Web technologies have become more and more important as large and small businesses continue to make their presence on the web. Today's businesses have more than just a "face" on the worldwide web. The use of a web browser is no longer restricted to viewing static pages. Browsers are becoming more and more a standard interface to a multifaceted reign of programs that live on the worldwide web. Two main technologies stand out for the implementation of web applications, Sun Microsystems' Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and Microsoft' Dot Net Framework. The purpose of this study is to provide an unbiased comparison of the two technologies based on performance and other software qualities.

In this project a collaboration multimedia toolkit, JSCMT (Java Synchronized Collaborative Multimedia Toolkit) was developed which is intended to connect a group of people located in different geographical locations who are working on the same project.