Visual Scripting of XML for Webservices

»David Webber, »OASIS CAM TC Chair

»Paul Stannard, »Smartdraw.com

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Abstract

HTML editors brought the use of web pages to everyone. Visual Scripting provides those same capabilities for XML. Webservices are maturing rapidly but end user solutions are problematic due to the complexities involved with configuring and deployment. Visual Scripting provides that bridge for developers.

A selection of webservice component interfaces will be demonstrated that show how visual models can be used to manage and configure them.

Developers will also understand how to use visual scripting to rapidly customize and deploy a model so that end users can manage the technology functionality the developers have created.

Examples include supplychain parts ordering with the ability to assign not just visual parts and items, but also to verify the order using digital certificates and select the particular supplier accordingly.

Another example shows management of the webservice system itself, by modifying script behaviours and configurations that control the software, while viewing a model of the webservice system setup.

Visual scripting provides a multi-purpose environment that complements the flexiblity and configurablity of webservices themselves and uses a visual metaphor to manage those.

A selection of examples will be provided from typical industry deployments that clearly illustrate the principles and approach.

Examples of these visual scripts will be available for download by attendees.

Keywords

»EBusiness, »Models, »Templates, »Visual Script.

1. Product Presentation Paper

Since this was a product presentation, no paper was prepared for the proceedings.

Biography

»David Webber

XML eBusiness Professional

»OASIS CAM TC Chair

»Damascus, Maryland

»United States of America

Email: drrwebber@acm.org

Web: http://drrw.net

David R.R. Webber is Chair of the OASIS CAM TC and co-author of "ebXML:The New Global Standard for Doing Business on the Internet" (http://ebxmlbook.com). He is a cofounder of the XML/edi Group and an acknowledged authority on XML. Webber lectures frequently in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, has more than 20 years' experience implementing business systems in a broad spectrum of industries, and is a U.S. patent holder for advanced EDI software technologies. Webber has published numerous articles and multimedia on requirements for developing Webservice and XML/edi business solutions, and is currently involved in an advisory role with a wide variety of industry initiatives developing XML business schemas and integration technologies. Most recently, Webber has been focusing on facilitating the development and deployment of semantic registry systems by government and industry organizations. He received his degree in physics with computing from the University of Kent, Canterbury, UK, in 1976 and more information on his current work is available at http://drrw.net

»Paul Stannard

CEO and President

»Smartdraw.com

»San Diego, California

»United States of America

Email: Paul@SmartDraw.com

Paul Stannard is the CEO of SmartDraw.com, the leading provider of easy-to-use business graphics software. The SmartDraw.com website draws more than 2 million visitors each month, putting it in the top 0.1% of most visited websites on the Internet. The company recently launched VisualScript XML, the first visual scripting tool for XML. VisualScript allows XML developers to communicate and collaborate with business people in terms they both understand, delivering the ultimate payoff: the successful implementation of XML. Stannard continues to explore ways to help users propagate XML standards, create rapid prototypes "on the fly," quickly translate business knowledge into XML format, and automatically document business processes. Stannard is a graduate of Oxford University and UCLA with a Ph.D. in chemistry.