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Applying Java applet technology to Groupmax Form

Groupmax Form now supports a facility for creating Java applets. This facility enables you to execute workflow applications and information sharing applications using a client where only a Web browser is installed. You can use the powerful facilities of a workflow and information sharing database without installing and setting up Groupmax.

Groupmax Form applied the Java applet technology for the following reasons:

Java applet does not need to be installed and set up

You download and execute a Java applet when you need it. So, you do not have to install and set up programs to execute an application. It solves many of the problems of those in information systems departments and of end users who distribute, install and set up client programs. The only thing you need is a Web browser. Nowadays, the technology is available to reduce the number of downloads. Performance has also improved.

Java applets are platform-independent

A Java applet can be executed on various client machines, because Java applets operate on a virtual machine called Java VM. Java VMs are designed to interpret Java code for the Web browsers on various platforms. The most widespread execution approach nowadays is to convert the virtual machine instructions into the instructions of each type of machine, thus, yielding satisfactory performance.

Java applets enable you to use components created by other tools

When you create a Java applet with Groupmax Form, you can add processes that use other Java class libraries. You can use the components created by other tools in forms you are making with Groupmax Form. The number of components created by Java will steadily increase; and, this will make it easier for you to create various applications with Groupmax Form by combining these components.

Java applet technology and Groupmax Form

Groupmax Form applies the Java applet technology in the following ways:

You do not have to know Java

Groupmax Form supports a facility that converts user-friendly macros in Japanese into Java language. Even if you do not know the Java language, you can create applications using the Java applet technology based on a macro in Japanese. The macro is automatically generated by the simplified input facility.

You can develop applications on the Web that can also be used as the client/server applications on Windows clients

Groupmax Form supports the facility that converts macros in Japanese that are used to develop the applications on Windows client into Java language. This facility enables you to develop applications that run on Windows and run on the Web at the same time.

You can use Groupmax Form to create workflow applications and database applications

You can easily create workflow application using the form window of Groupmax Form. In the workflow application, operators in various departments can use the form windows in different formats, choosing one most suitable for their department. For example, the data that was input in a previous department can only be displayed and not altered in the form window used in the next department. Data that is unnecessary for a department can be hidden in the form window used in that department and merely sent on to the next department. You can also create applications for referencing and updating databases by using SQL statements. When you execute these applications, the server controls the workflow server and database server, so you do not have to install and set up programs other than the Web browser in the client.

You can use various GUI components to create forms

You can create forms by using the GUI components, such as check boxes, radio buttons, combo boxes, and variable-length characters areas. You can also create areas that are peculiar to form processing in Japan, such as table format areas that display multiple records, and areas for affixing electronic seals.

Groupmax Form uses decimal calculation that can be used for business oriented calculations

Groupmax Form uses decimal calculations the same as the calculations applied to COBOL. Decimal operation does not cause decimal fraction. In contrast to floating-point calculations, decimal calculation can calculate values that have many effective digits but without decimal fraction. Therefore, you can securely use decimal calculation for business oriented calculations.