Self-Configuring Appliction

[MissyEd]

I've just started to look at XML and got to wondering if it could be used as a basis to build self-configuring applications ?

Ideally, an application that built itself from a set of instructions stored in a database, either each time it ran or each time updates were made.

This is probably a pipe dream because I really hate re-writing code and most programs I write are very similar anyway - data entry (configurable user interface ?) and decision making from available data (decision trees ?), so it would be great to be able to create template forms. Then just add a new node to an xml sheet and hey presto, new form added to the app.

Does anyone know of any opensource projects for such a thing ? I have had a good look round the web but not found anything yet.

Missy Ed - Project Manger - Bolton, UK

 

[Rilez]

Hello there.
If you are developing server based products then probabily. I've created a system that gives the admin section a wizard like front end where they can select fields and so on. The advantage of this is that xslts can be built to transform this data into the asp/php/whatever code. This does dramatically reduce development time (I created a 300 dataview site with add, edit, delete and report pages in less than 3 hours and I can make changes to all of them at the drop of a hat )
When it comes to rules - that might be a little more complex. I suppose in theory that if it can figure out what the database schema is and how the foreign keys etc are working then yes this could work but it is a lot of work in my opinion.
Any help you need give me a shout but I am unable to give you the system I have created due to copyright / IP issues.

HTH

 

[MissyEd]

Thanks, its all very theoretical at the moment Im just thinking about ways and means to do things. I've just completed an XML tutorial and am on this book: Building XML Applications by Simon St. Laurent & Ethan Cerami. Is it OK to email you if I get stuck doing something ?

Missy Ed - Project Manger - Bolton, UK

 

[Rilez]

Yes sure if I can be any help.
Rilez@the-marines.com