Uniface

Uniface

Uniface is a comprehensive development and deployment platform used for creating enterprise applications. It is known for its model-driven approach, which allows developers to design applications using high-level abstractions rather than low-level coding. Uniface is particularly popular in industries that require robust, scalable, and maintainable applications, such as finance, healthcare, and logistics.

History

Uniface was originally developed in the 1980s by a company called Inside Automation, which later became Uniface B.V. The platform has evolved significantly over the years, adapting to new technologies and paradigms in software development. It has been used by thousands of organizations worldwide to build mission-critical applications.

Features

Uniface offers a range of features that make it a powerful tool for enterprise application development:

• Model-Driven Development: Uniface allows developers to define application models that describe the structure and behavior of the application. This model-driven approach enables rapid development and easy maintenance.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Applications built with Uniface can run on various platforms, including Windows, Linux, and Unix, as well as on mobile devices.
• Integration Capabilities: Uniface provides extensive integration capabilities, allowing applications to interact with a wide range of databases, web services, and other enterprise systems.
• Scalability: Uniface applications are designed to scale easily, supporting large numbers of users and high transaction volumes.
• Security: The platform includes robust security features to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Architecture

Uniface's architecture is based on a three-tier model, consisting of the following layers:

• Presentation Layer: This layer handles the user interface and user interactions. Uniface supports various UI technologies, including web, desktop, and mobile interfaces.
• Business Logic Layer: This layer contains the application's business rules and logic. It is implemented using Uniface's proprietary scripting language, which is designed to be easy to learn and use.
• Data Access Layer: This layer manages interactions with databases and other data sources. Uniface supports a wide range of database systems, including Oracle, SQL Server, and MySQL.

Development Environment

The Uniface development environment includes a set of tools for designing, developing, and testing applications:

• Uniface IDE: The integrated development environment provides a graphical interface for designing application models, writing code, and managing projects.
• Debugger: Uniface includes a powerful debugger that helps developers identify and fix issues in their applications.
• Version Control: The platform supports integration with version control systems, allowing teams to collaborate effectively on large projects.

Use Cases

Uniface is used in a variety of industries for different types of applications:

• Banking and Finance: Uniface is used to build secure, high-performance applications for managing financial transactions and customer data.
• Healthcare: The platform is used to develop applications for managing patient records, scheduling, and billing.
• Logistics: Uniface applications help manage supply chain operations, inventory, and transportation logistics.

Also see

• Model-Driven Architecture
• Enterprise Application Integration
• Software Development Life Cycle
• Cross-Platform Software