Favorite Tools
In order to provide the best overall value in the marketplace today
for our customers, Practical Business Systems uses open source
products whenever possible, thereby saving our customers the expense of proprietary software. When branded products are the better option, we will certainly recommend that, and we are fully versed and credentialed in those installations. When feasible, however, we suggest Linux for an operating system, Apache for a Web
server, PostgreSQL for a backend database, and Java as a programming
language. Here are brief profiles on the open source products we use most often:
Linux
Linux is a true multi-tasking operating system which can be run on
multiple platforms. Linux provides an environment which is more
efficient and considerably more stable than that provided by Windows
NT. Best of all, there are no licensing fees associated with Linux.
Apache
Apache, an open source Web server, is currently the dominant commercial
Web server, with a market share in excess of 57% (as compared with
Microsoft at 23% and Netscape at 7%). As does Linux, the Apache server
provides state-of-the-art functionality without licensing fees.
XML
XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is the backbone supporting all the infoware killer apps now turning the Web into a
global hub for commercial and financial transactions and information
transfer. XML provides a means for translating data which is
application-independent. XML also provides a means for connectivity,
which is producing geometric leaps in real-time data transmittal.
Java
The Java language provides a means of producing applications and
application interface tools which are platform-independent. With Java,
an application can be seamlessly transplanted from one platform to
another with full functionality. Java provides an environment for
producing scaleable solutions that can be reused without modification.
Java Server Pages
Java Server Pages (JSP) provide an effective alternative to Active
Server Pages (ASP). In fact, they offer functionality and syntax very similar to ASP, but with more flexibility.
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL (pronounced "post-grey-sequel") is a sophisticated,
standards-based, Object-Relational database management system
(DBMS) supporting almost all SQL constructs, including
subselects, transactions, and user-defined types and functions.
Initially developed at the University of California at Berkely
in the late 1970s and early 1980s, PostgreSQL is, today, the
most advanced open-source database server in the world,
designed primarily for e-business and enterprise applications.
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