Genesis Smart Client Framework

Blue Marble Genesis Smart Client Framework

Genesis Smart Client Screenshot Blue Marble Genesis Smart Client Screenshot
Developer(s)	Blue Marble Software
Stable release	1.60 (1.60.1024.1) / April 24, 2010 (2010-04-24)
Development status	Active
Written in	C#
Type	Open Source
License	Ms-PL-EULA
Website	Blue Marble: Genesis Smart Client Framework

Blue Marble Genesis Smart Client Framework is a Smart Client Framework developed by Blue Marble. It allows developers to create hosted applications which are deployed using an extensible framework that includes server side components and client side applications. The server side components include the online file system, database access, communication, user security, user interface configuration and the hosted application files, the client side applications is the Smart Client that consumes the information from the server. It was developed using C# and runs on the Microsoft Windows Operating Systems. It allows developers to create hosted applications by adding a few library references to existing projects and implementing a few Interfaces. The Genesis Smart Client Framework supports any application developed for the .NET Framework.

History

The Genesis Smart Client Framework was initially developed in 2006 to serve as the base for a proprietary application developed by Blue Marble. The application had a national roll-out in South Africa, where it was accessible via SSL-secured SOAP Web Services and served users with broadband and standard dial-up Internet access. The framework was developed to address two concerns that the development team had for such a large roll-out. The first was addressing bug-fixes and general updates, a self-updating/self-healing application was required, the second addressed a development team challenge, managing the user interface such as the main menu and toolbars of the application, including managing user access to these items.

The framework is still successfully running the original application without any problems experienced by users during system updates. It handles all communication effectively and logs exceptions from the Smart Client applications centrally for system administrators and operators to resolve.

Open Source

In May 2009 Blue Marble released the Genesis Smart Client Framework as an Open Source project. The project is available for download through Codeplex. Articles detailing each component of the Genesis Smart Client Framework, including various samples can be found on Code Project under the author Stephan Johnson.

The client application that forms part of the commercial version that Blue Marble initially developed uses a third-party library from DevComponents to render a Ribbon for the main User Interface. Blue Marble cannot publicly release an Open Source project that has a dependency on a third-party library, so a standard interface was created using only the default .NET Framework visual controls, the licensing information has also been removed from the default commercial application and the source code has been provided as a sample. The framework is still available commercially from Blue Marble with a fully licensed version of the Smart Client with the 3rd party library to render the Ribbon User Interface and support.

In April 2010 the source code was uploaded to the Code Plex online source control servers. This was to provide a more transparent view of current developments and updates in the project, including providing early adopters with the ability to gain access to early development versions of the framework. More articles were also released on Code Project to help new developers who are using the framework to get started with writing their own Smart Client applications.

Technology

The Genesis Smart Client Framework Server runs on Windows 2003 or better using Internet Information Services 6 or better. The server components are publicly visible through either a set of ASP.NET web pages or accessible through SOAP Web Services. These web pages and web services use ADO.NET to connect to a Microsoft SQL Server on the server.

The Genesis Smart Client Framework Client Application runs on WindowsXP or better and needs a network connection to the SOAP Web Services. A single connection string to the server instructs the Client Application where to find all of the services/web sites that are required to operate. The Client Application is also responsible for downloading the latest version of any files required by the Smart Client application to operate after authenticating the user.

Support

Because the Genesis Smart Client Framework is Open Source, support is available through the growing online community. Regular articles on Code Project provide guidance on standard development patterns and practices for the framework.

Blue Marble offer Service Level Agreements to companies who prefer to have paid-for support. Companies who sign up for Service Level Agreements will receive a special build of the Genesis Smart Client Framework which includes an installer and a custom Client Application with a richer User Experience provided by the integration of a Microsoft Office 2007 Ribbon User Interface control. The public open source version of the Genesis Smart Client Framework has a more simple User Interface using standard Microsoft.NET Menu's and Toolbars.

External links

• Blue Marble web site
• Genesis Smart Client Framework product page at bluemarble.co.za
• Blue Marble Development Blog
• Genesis Smart Client Framework source code at codeplex.com
• Code Project Article 1 - Overview
• Code Project Article 2 - Required Reading
• Code Project Article 3 - Back-end
• Code Project Article 4 - Windows Client
• Code Project Article 5 - Programming Concepts
• Code Project Article 6 - Management
• Code Project Article 7 - The Source Code
• Getting Started with the Genesis Smart Client Framework
• Developing a Twitter client for the Genesis Smart Client Framework