The specifications and possibilities of Xcerion XML Internet Operating System (XIOS/3) include some quite interesting features. The essence of the OS is XML and with a XML supercharged operating system follows some quite interesting and mind boggling new implications with great impact on how applications can be developed. XIOS/3 differs a lot from what people are used to, but shows the path for a future of new possibilities in the software industry. The best way to understand these opportunities is to try the OS and unleash the inherent power of XML.
XIOS/3 in short
XIOS/3 enables web browsers to run applications with very complex user interfaces, multiple windows, advanced data feeds and dependencies with no need to install any plug-ins like Flash or JRE. XIOS/3 applications are created graphically without any traditional programming using drag-and-drop in Xcerion Integrated Development Environment/3 (XIDE/3). With XIDE/3, developers can recreate complex software like Word processing, Presentation, Drawing, Mail or collaborative software with little effort. In other words, XIOS/3 delivers engaging world-class applications – right to your nearest browser.
How is XIOS/3 different?
XIOS/3 is not built on evolution; it is a revolution and a paradigm shift in computing promising to change the way software is developed and deployed. We provide a complete XML internet operating system running inside the browser, not just XML user interface rendering. This means that all business logic, all user interface dialogs, all data including the file system is in XML format. Given that everything is defined in XML creates enormous synergies and unleashes the innate power of XML, yielding the most flexible, extensible and powerful operating system ever created. All user events are resolved on the client, which in effect frees up server resources and gives the user fast response time. All this while consuming extremely low bandwidth. Several parts of traditional development have been eliminated due to the synergies, making the development more rapid and reliable than ever before. Large binary executables are history; their equivalents in XIOS/3 are measured in kilobytes instead of megabytes. In addition they are also tagged, full of metadata, searchable and ready to be repurposed into new business contexts. New ways of working in the operating system can be introduced when everything is XML. Data can for instance automatically be transformed between different applications or while moving a document into a new folder. Several applications can also work at the same document simultaneously and colleagues can collaborate while data updates propagate to all connected clients. All information is also versioned and transaction handled and safely stored on a central server as opposed to multiple clients local hard drive. It is always reachable.
Architecture
The XIOS/3 consists of three distinct layers: User Experience Layer, Business Logic Layer and the Domain containing Data and Communication services. The XML Virtual Machine and UI components found in the Business Layer make up the core functionality of XIOS/3. The XML Virtual Machine is a client application server that interprets XML processes at its core. XIDE/3 automatically generates the required XML files for the XML Virtual Machine to deploy the application. In fact, the XIOS desktop that is used for managing documents, launching applications and handling the basic operating system tasks was created in the IDE. Applications, XML processes, Workflow, Data Constrains, XML Schemas, Data and UI Components are all described using XML. This makes XIOS one of the most open and standard based development and deployment platforms of today.
The Domain layer is mostly used for persistence, update coordination, and transaction management. The server uses XML Web Services and can be replaced by other services, making it possible to use the server of choice. Changes of data bound to any application are instantly reflected in all applications working on the same data, at the same time, through the advanced Update Coordinator. Inside XIOS/3, all data is exposed as XML documents, even if they are XML Web services. The Service Transparency Layer handles this. XML documents in the repository are directly available as themselves. Naturally XIOS/3 does not refresh the browser to fetch data, it gives a consistent user experience.
Process driven
The whole operating system is driven by XML business processes, which are visually orchestrated and executed by the core XML Virtual Machine. Processes cross boundaries, interact between applications and master all dialogs, communication and data. Even the Information Desktop, OS startup and login is defined by processes and can be altered for customizing the system. Launching applications and data in a workflow and serve the user with the right information and tools for the task at hand cannot become easier.
XIDE/3
XIDE/3 was designed to meet the needs of today’s application developers. It provides an information / task centric approach that excels in information handling. Applications built in XIDE/3 automatically conform to the MVC design pattern by separating logic, presentation and data. The advantages of true separation become most evident when looking at the ease with which application data and layout can be repurposed in XIDE/3. The presentation application can for instance reuse data from a word processing document or information from an ERP system. Changes in data could then affect the contents of a slide presentation in real-time, making way for true collaboration and data transparency.
Rapid collaborative development
Compared to traditional coding of applications, XIDE/3 enables dramatically shorter development time and fewer errors. Applications are visually created in the IDE by drag-and-drop UI components into the application layout editor. Not only are all standard components that you’ve become accustomed to available, but also a wide range of new powerful components that promise to make your application more attractive to end users. If the framework for some reason falls short, there are APIs for creating custom UI Components using XSLT, JavaScript, Flash, .NET or any other browser-supported technology. The process language can also be extended through an API and new Service Communicators can be developed to connect to other servers and services than XML Web services. The XML Virtual Machine is supplied with all commonly used UI components as seen in rich clients, but with some new additional possibilities and functionalities not seen before.
Once you’re satisfied with the layout of your application, components are tied together with the graphical process editor. In this editor you describe how the application reacts to user events, how data is propagated, and how data is manipulated and stored. The architecture of XIOS/3 provides a solid base for delivering scaleable, compelling user experiences and at the same time guaranteeing the consistency and accuracy of its underlying data. It also decreases the number of programming errors, with all its business logic being visually orchestrated. Business logic cannot be programmed using XIDE/3; it is either drawn through orchestration or declared using Data Constraints and XML Schema. This highly declarative approach makes it extremely fast and safe to develop applications using XIDE/3.
XIDE/3 is also developed and deployed using the same XML Virtual Machine. The versatility of this architecture makes it possible for developers to extend the supplied IDE with new functionality and most of the XIDE/3 environment can thereby be improved within itself. Because XIDE/3 handles all data changes as transactions and has a built in versioning repository, all applications developed are also versioned and possible to develop in simultaneous collaboration.
icloud Beta Sign-Up
Xcerion aims to sign up millions of users with its offer of inexpensive or downright free software. Sign up to receive the latest news on Xcerion and apply for a beta account.
Blog
XBlog gives you the latest news and updates about Xcerion, but never the less, also about the OS and happenings. It gives you the opportunity to read and respond.
icloud 
; "xios-layers-small")
; "application_process_img")
;){kind=link}
