What is a Whitebeam Application

A 'basic' web site comprises a number of 'static' resources, or files that are placed on a web server. The role of the web server is to locate a specific file when requested, and to return that to the client browser. The site is described as 'static' because the entire content of the site is determined when the web author designed the pages. Nothing changes! In this model, the web server is relegated to the role of a file server - using the HTTP protocol to distribute the files.

The Whitebeam environment allows the content of the site to be 'dynamically' generated - that is the content of a page is determined programmatically when a client accesses a site. To do this the web author creates a 'distributed' application. The images and static content of the application remain the same. But 'dynamic' behaviour is added in the form of Pattern Pages.

The application now comprises the following 'intelligent' entities, that have responsibility for different areas of the application:

By themselves the elements are a set of very powerful utilities. Combined together they provide an ideal framework for delivering sophisticated, feature rich web applications. It is the role of the integration partner to utilise these resources to satisfy the business requirements of their clients.

Whitebeam recommend following a good design process when developing web applications. A good process will allow the integration partner to correctly identify customer requirements, implement those requirements and ultimately satisfy the business requirements of their clients.