Smart client
Encyclopedia
Smart Client is a term describing an application environment which:
The term "Smart Client" is meant to refer to simultaneously capturing the benefits of a "thin client
" (zero-install, auto-update) and a "fat client
" (high performance, high productivity).
A "Smart Client" application can be created in several very different technologies. The original use of the term in the context of the web was Isomorphic Software's SmartClient product (they own the SmartClient.com domain), which uses an Ajax
-based, cross-browser
cross-platform approach. Subsequently Microsoft
began using the terminology to refer to .NET
applications delivered via the Internet Explorer
browser to Windows XP
. The terms "Rich Internet Application
" (RIA) and "rich web application" are essentially synonymous with "Smart Client", and are used to refer to several other technological approaches including Flash
, Java applet
s and Webstart applications.
The Smart Client approach came about because when businesses tried to develop web applications to replace their old desktop applications, user productivity decreased. This was because web-based user interfaces based on server-side HTML
generation are typically not as responsive, have fewer hot keys, require more use of the mouse and are unreliable when handling large files such as CAD drawings.
Smart Client applications bridge the gap between web applications and desktop applications. They provide the benefits of a web application (such as leveraging the internet and offering remote access to data) while still providing the snappy look and feel inherent to desktop applications.
Mainly there are four platforms for building Smart client applications:
Dedicated desktop boxes which offer Smart Client environments are starting to appear. The only one currently in production is Cranberry UK's SC20 Smart Client, in September 2007, which delivers applications via Citrix Application Streaming, traditional thin client hosted desktop, and locally integrated "thick client" applications. .
- delivers applications over a web http connection
- does not require installation (or provide automated installation and updates)
- automatically updates without user action
- has the look and feel of desktop applications
The term "Smart Client" is meant to refer to simultaneously capturing the benefits of a "thin client
Thin client
A thin client is a computer or a computer program which depends heavily on some other computer to fulfill its traditional computational roles. This stands in contrast to the traditional fat client, a computer designed to take on these roles by itself...
" (zero-install, auto-update) and a "fat client
Fat client
A fat client is a computer in client–server architecture or networks that typically provides rich functionality independent of the central server...
" (high performance, high productivity).
A "Smart Client" application can be created in several very different technologies. The original use of the term in the context of the web was Isomorphic Software's SmartClient product (they own the SmartClient.com domain), which uses an Ajax
Ajax (programming)
Ajax is a group of interrelated web development methods used on the client-side to create asynchronous web applications...
-based, cross-browser
Cross-browser
Cross-browser refers to the ability for a website, web application, HTML construct or client-side script to support all the web browsers. The term cross-browser is often confused with multi-browser...
cross-platform approach. Subsequently Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
began using the terminology to refer to .NET
.NET Framework
The .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
applications delivered via the Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer
Windows Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year...
browser to Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
. The terms "Rich Internet Application
Rich Internet application
A Rich Internet Application is a Web application that has many of the characteristics of desktop application software, typically delivered either by way of a site-specific browser, via a browser plug-in, independent sandboxes, extensive use of JavaScript, or virtual machines...
" (RIA) and "rich web application" are essentially synonymous with "Smart Client", and are used to refer to several other technological approaches including Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
, Java applet
Java applet
A Java applet is an applet delivered to users in the form of Java bytecode. Java applets can run in a Web browser using a Java Virtual Machine , or in Sun's AppletViewer, a stand-alone tool for testing applets...
s and Webstart applications.
The Smart Client approach came about because when businesses tried to develop web applications to replace their old desktop applications, user productivity decreased. This was because web-based user interfaces based on server-side HTML
HTML
HyperText Markup Language is the predominant markup language for web pages. HTML elements are the basic building-blocks of webpages....
generation are typically not as responsive, have fewer hot keys, require more use of the mouse and are unreliable when handling large files such as CAD drawings.
Smart Client applications bridge the gap between web applications and desktop applications. They provide the benefits of a web application (such as leveraging the internet and offering remote access to data) while still providing the snappy look and feel inherent to desktop applications.
Mainly there are four platforms for building Smart client applications:
- FlexAdobe FlexAdobe Flex is a software development kit released by Adobe Systems for the development and deployment of cross-platform rich Internet applications based on the Adobe Flash platform...
from Adobe. - JavaFXJavaFXJavaFX is a software platform for creating and delivering rich Internet applications that can run across a wide variety of connected devices....
from SUN. - Silverlight from Microsoft
- DataSnapDataSnapDataSnap is a DCOM-based software technology that enables RAD creation of multi-tier database applications. DataSnap components approach allows Embarcadero software development tools such as Delphi or C++ Builder to create Data Broker/Client applications with TCP/IP, DCOM, HTTP or even SOAP...
/WebServices from CodeGear.
Dedicated desktop boxes which offer Smart Client environments are starting to appear. The only one currently in production is Cranberry UK's SC20 Smart Client, in September 2007, which delivers applications via Citrix Application Streaming, traditional thin client hosted desktop, and locally integrated "thick client" applications. .
External links
- Smart Client Applications Smart Client Overview
- Building Smart Client using .NET A brief overview and an example in .NET