How do I choose the right user interface generator?

Top of page

General information on when to use the different user interfaces and Generators from CTC.

WPF:

• User Interface application installed to the End User Desk Top
• Internal use
• Can integrate with desk top productivity tools such as Excel and Word
• Can be a replacement for Winforms applications
• Rich User Interface based on new technology from Microsoft
• Major skills required: .NET and XAML - same skill set as Silverlight

Silverlight:

• User Interface application deployed to web server and runs in the browser
• Browser independent
• Internal and External use
• Can be a replacement for ASP.NET applications
• Rich User Interface based on new technology from Microsoft
• Major skills required: .NET and XAML - same skill set as WPF

ASP.NET:

• User Interface application deployed to server and runs in the browser
• Browser independent
• Internal and External use
• Older technology from Microsoft
• Major skills required: .NET, HTML, AJAX and JavaScript

A site may benefit from using two generators:

Why would I use Silverlight instead of ASP.NET?

Top of page

Silverlight solves some of the major challenges and limitations of existing technologies, such as ASP.NET.

Compared with ASP.NET, the Silverlight platform in combination with the CTC Silverlight Client Generator includes the following benefits:

• More efficient
  • Forms are downloaded once only and cached on the client until changed
  • Only data is exchanged with the web server
• Uses less resources on the web server
  • Forms are processed and rendered on the client only
• Better end user experience
  • Desktop like experience
  • Immediate feedback to user actions
  • Better response time
• Fewer skills required
  • No HTML, JavaScript or AJAX skills required

What is the difference between the CTC Generators and the 'standard' generators?

Top of page

End Users require rich user interfaces. However, the forms painted with EAE and AB Suite are ‘presentation media neutral’ leaving it to the generate process to create the ‘media specific’ user interface application.

'Standard' Generators

• The 'Standard' Generators such as ASP.NET and VB.NET create basic user interface applications that match the forms as they are painted.
• The only way to enhance this is to either modify the generated application or write a custom generator.
• Neither of these options are appealing as it is an inflexible solution and the cost of maintenance is high.
• Manual steps are required before and after the generation process to create a deployable solution.

CTC Generators

• The generated user interface can be enhanced and customized using the CTC Configurator.
• All enhancements to the forms are specified as input to the generate process and do not modify the painted forms.
• The CTC approach allows developers to take full advantage of the capabilities of the chosen User Interface technology (ASP.NET, Silverlight or WPF).
• Enhancements to the look and feel can be made by modifying/specifying any or all of the properties available on the controls.
• Controls painted on the forms can be substituted with rich user controls such as DataGrid, GridView, DatePicker, Slider, Charting and Numeric Up/Down.
• Generated forms can be extended with custom logic to suit advanced requirements.
• This approach provides a flexible solution that is easy to maintain and provides consistency across generates.
• All manual steps have been eliminated. This includes automatic setup of a new bundle, automatic build of the generated solution and automatic upgrade to new versions of the generators.