User:LadyHawk89/LiquidApps Sandbox

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LiquidApps®
Screenshot {{{screenshot}}}
Latest release	6.0 / April 22, 2008 (2008-04-22); 54 days ago
Written in	Java
OS	Cross-platform
Genre	Software development
Website	http://www.liquidappsworld.com

LiquidApps® is a application development system that was launched on April 22, 2008. This enterprise mashup provides the ability to graphically design, assemble and generate applications. The tool runs on a Java base, so it is available cross-platform. It generates applications in multiple languages, providing a flexible target for the applications developed with it. ^[1]

The application website is http://www.liquidappsworld.com.

1 History
2 Process
3 Cross-Platform
4 Configurations
5 References
6 External Links

[edit] History

LiquidApps® was developed through a series of Small Business Innovative Research (SBIRs) grants. These contracts are focused on assisting technology companies create and grow exciting products with the ultimate intent of marketing them to the private sector. A comprehensive Enterprise version of LiquidApps® has been gaining traction in the government contracting realm with sales to many of the larger prime contractors.^[2] This LiquidApps® Enterprise product was then repackaged so the core functionality could be given away free. Called the LiquidApps® "Community Edition," the product was released to the world on April 22, 2008, at the annual Web 2.0 conference in San Francisco, CA. ^[3]

[edit] Process

LiquidApps® uses a three step process – Design, Assemble, Generate – to create applications. The design process is used to create the user interface for the application being developed. The assemble process provides the logic for the application - data sources are defined, etc. The generate process is then used to generate the source code for the application.^[4]

LiquidApps® can be used to create a single application that can target multiple applications and devices. This is accomplished by allowing the user to generate the application in multiple languages from a single design.

[edit] Design

LiquidApps® has a graphical user interface that is used to create the application design. Elements of the interface are placed using drag-and-drop. Standard drawing controls are also provided. The application interface is created without any programming language being input.

During design the application creator brings together the elements that are needed for the application. The tool provides the common controls that are used in an interface (tables, combo boxes, etc.). A series of Screens for the application can be created and are displayed in a storyboard fashion for the user.

After the Screens are created the next step is to assemble the data and content for the application.^[5]

[edit] Assemble

The assembly process for LiquidApps® involves defining the logic and mashups for the application being created. Data sources are defined and the data manipulated to bring out the information relevant for the application. Applications can draw from multiple data sources such as Web Services Description Language (WSDL) and CSV inputs. The data sources and logic are defined in Behaviors, which are then connected to the Screens.

The Behaviors are defined using a set of graphical widgets. The application logic is created without defining any source code. The graphical widgets provide the building blocks for all logic and data source definition and manipulation.

The mashups that are created during the assembly process can be stored for future reuse.^[6]

[edit] Generate

After the application is designed and the behaviors have been defined, the final step is to generate the code for the application. LiquidApps® generates the application for multiple targets. The code generators include web application source, Java and C++. Because the application is designed and stored without source code being defined the application project can be generated for multiple platforms from a single project.

All source code that is generated for the application is delivered for the user. The source can then be extended if needed.^[7]

[edit] Cross-Platform

LiquidApps® can be run on multiple platforms because it is Java based. The applications that are developed with LiquidApps® can also be run on multiple platforms. Each application created has the ability to be generated to multiple platforms.^[1]