Bindows

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Bindows is a commercial software development framework for Ajax, and Web 2.0 Rich Internet Applications.

  • Bindows can generate web applications with the exact look and feel of Windows applications.
  • Bindows applications require no end-user downloads - true zero-footprint (no Java, Flash, plug-ins, or ActiveX are used).

The Bindows framework is based on Dynamic HTML and the programming language used is JavaScript as Application Description Files (ADF), and executed at the client's end. When the web application is run, the scripts are downloaded from the server as XML files known as Application Description Files (ADF), and executed at the client's end.

The framework follows the Swing programming and DOM models. Class names start with 'Bi', e.g., BiObject, BiRadioButton, etc. The name Bindows comes from a combination of Business Intelligence (BI) and windows, BI being one of the interests of the company MB Technologies, responsible in creating the framework.

Bindows applications are agnostic to:

  • Server - any server (Java, .NET, PHP, etc. can be used with Bindows)
  • Backend platform - Any backend hardware and backend software
  • Operating system - Any operating system can be used on the client (as long as it includes a supported browser)
  • Language - All languages supported. Bindows supports Unicode
  • Browser - most browsers are supported (i.e., Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher, Mozilla 1.4 and higher, Netscape 7.1 and higher, Firefox, K-Meleon, and Camino)

Bindows supports the following widgets: labels, buttons, check boxes, radio buttons, text areas, menus, toolbars, statusbars, tool tips, grids, trees, sliders, spinners, progress bars, gauges, image maps and live vector graphics.

Contents

[edit] Charting & Vector Graphics

Bindows supports client-side charting which is both rich, scalable and dynamic (animations), that are designed to be easily extended and enhanced:

  • Line charts
  • Columns and bars
  • Pie charts
  • Stacked columns and bars
  • Percentage stacked columns and bars
  • Gauges
  • Grids

Vector Graphics

We have added generic SVG support to Bindows and implemented the charts, graphs, gauges and more in both VML and SVG. Bindows now presents a unified, object oriented API for creating rich Business Graphics in all supported browsers. Now developers can create complex graphics without having to deal with all the quirks of different formats and browsers. Live sample

[edit] Animation Library

Bindows animation library enables adding animations to Bindows components - thus creating visual effects like pulsating buttons, fade-ins, fade-outs, animated movement and resizes. Bindows animations can be synchronized with each other and can use various acceleration curves. A simple and straightforward API lets you create special animator objects, then associate them with your components, making them animated.

[edit] Advanced Gauges

Bindows BiGauge2 class library is a comprehensive, object oriented class library for creating dynamic and advanced gauges that can contain several ranges, scales, dynamically updatable needles and more.

It also has classes for creating advanced gradients, backgrounds and image backgrounds. Since gauges are created using vector graphics, now you can dynamically update almost every property of a gauge, including the needles. This enables presentation of almost real-time updates in gauges

[edit] Section-508 Accessibility

Bindows 2.0 is now the first Ajax framework with enhanced support for section 508 accessibility compliance. Bindows 2.0 enables developers to reach all audiences effectively and efficiently by building Ajax and Web 2.0 applications that meet Government and international standards for accessibility.

The Bindows framework enables development of Ajax and Web 2.0 applications that work with leading screen readers, such as JAWS, without requiring any download or installation (zero-footprint).

[edit] Internationalization & Localization

Bindows provides full support for internationalization and localization. Localized Bindows applications (including combined locales) are in use across the globe. Checkout the Bindows localized sites listed in the External Links below.

[edit] Next Major Release

Next major release of Bindows (code name "Torne") will include three major additions:

  • Two-directional data binding
  • Visual layout development tool

[edit] Versions

  • 0.9  - 2003 August
  • 1.1  - 2004 February
  • 1.20 - 2004 August
  • 1.25 - 2004 November
  • 1.3 - 2005 February
  • 1.5 - 2005 July
  • 1.51 - 2005 September
  • 2.0 - 2006 June
  • 2.5 - 2006 October
  • 2.55 - 2006 December (latest production release)
  • 3.0 beta - 2006 December
  • Torne (code name) - due in 2006

[edit] Adds-on Tools

  • Bindows Benchmarking - available (free)
  • Bindows Linker - beta stage
  • Bindows Compiler - beta stage

[edit] External links


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