Data Abstract for .NET and Cocoa

Data Abstract for .NET
Data Abstract for .NET and Mono is a data-access framework built on top of ADO.NET and designed to create distributed cross-database systems. Extending RemObjects SDK for .NET, it allows you to create services that access any database by providing a clear separation between data-access and business-logic. Through the use of schemas and the Schema Modeler utility, it enables you to maintain a unique code base to access multiple database engines at the same time. Cross database systems are now as simple to build as single database ones.

Data Abstract for .NET Specific Features

• The unique RemoteDataAdapter allows you to stream and update multiple data tables at once, avoiding redundant network round-trips
• Extendable Data Abstract Remote Service provides you with all the basics to access your databases and start coding your business layer immediately
• Unique and simpler driver architecture controlled by XML configuration files
• Exchange data in an optimized binary format with clients written in .NET, Mono, Delphi or Kylix and running on a large variety of platforms

RemObjects Data Abstract Core Features

• Build scalable multi-tier cross platform database applications for .NET, Mono and Win32
• Target different database back-ends using a common code base
• Use Schema Modeler to design the interface of your data
• Leverage the new wizards and IDE enhancements to build DA applications even easier than with previous versions
• Support for a wide range of database back-ends, including Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, Interbase/Firebird, Sybase, PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, NexusDB and many more

Data Abstract for .NET Features

• Complete abstraction of different databases: use the same code for Microsoft SQL Server, InterBase, Oracle, MySQL, DBISAM, DB/2, etc.
• Build your applications with a "stateless" focus for maximum scalability and seamless cluster integration
• Stream data all at once, on demand, paged or any combination of those
• Re-synch fields automatically with the remote data source
• Use update rules to design complex update sequences without a single line of code
• Enhanced Business Processors give you more control on your business updates
• Cross-database autoincrement and generator-based field support
• Work with either auto-generated SQL or proprietary dialects, whenever higher performance or access to RDBMS specific features is required
• Full support for stateless Master/Detail transactional updates
• Update Rules: create complex update sequences without a single line of code
• Design your data-access layer in an innovative RAD way using the Schema Modeler
• Minimize SQL dialect differences using Data Abstract's macro processor
• Easily create your own data access driver to extend the list that comes with the product
• Support for regular expressions for client-side data-validation
• No deployment license costs

Data Abstract Schema Modeler
Data Abstract's use of Schemas enables you to maintain a unique code base to access multiple database engines at the same time, making it easy to build cross database systems.
Schemas shield both the middle-tier business logic and the client applications from the intricacies of the back-end database by defining the proper commands and data tables and mapping these to the physical data sources.
Data Abstract includes the Schema Modeler utility, which is deeply integrated with the supported IDEs, to aid you in designing and maintaining Schema definitions. Schema Modeler includes tools for creating data tables and commands from the underlying database, designing the mappings for individual data sources and defining master/detail and foreign key relationships.

Data Abstract for Cocoa
Data Abstract for Cocoa offers true muti-tier database development for Apple Macintosh and iPhone platforms.

Data Abstract for Cocoa Main Features

• Build fully native database clients for Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard, as well as iPhone and iPod touch devices, in Xcode. Data Abstract for Cocoa is fully 100% Objective-C library
• Use advanced data access features such as our DA SQL technology, to have full data querying flexibility on the client, without circumventing data security or business logic
• Access your existing middle tier servers, sharing your already implemented business logic and server infrastructure with your new Mac and iPhone client apps alongside your existing Windows clients

If you are already using one of the other editions of Data Abstract, you can now access your exiting Data Abstract servers (written in .NET or Delphi), to share a common back-end between your Windows, Mac and iPhone users, while still providing a fully native Cocoa or Cocoa Touch based user experience for the latter two.

Fully Native Cocoa API
Data Abstract for Cocoa was written from the ground up and designed for Cocoa developers; the library consists of 100% native Objective-C code, written in Xcode and architected to fit in with the general design principles of Cocoa and other Mac frameworks.

At the same time, it has been built on years of experience collected while working on its sibling editions for .NET and Delphi, so it will be comfortably familiar to developers experienced with Data Abstract on these platforms, as they will recognize the same concepts such as Remote Data Adapters, Data Streamers and so forth. Full wire-compatibility is provided, allowing clients written in Data Abstract for Cocoa to seamlessly communicate with any Data Abstract server.

Fitting in with general Cocoa development paradigms, Data Abstract for Cocoa is fully designed for asynchronous (and optionally synchronous) data access, making it easy to write applications that keep a responsive user interface while data access and communication with the middle-tier server is under way.

Share Code Between Mac and iPhone
Because the Data Abstract library is single-sourced and virtually identical for Mac OS X and iPhone, you too can share a lot of the data access code in your own applications between both platforms. This means you can concentrate on providing specialized user interface for the two types of devices, but share a lot of your client code that works behind the scenes.

For example, internal "Bugs" application shown here consists of largely the same code base for both iPhone and Mac (and communicates with the same Mono/Linux-based server middle-tier server):

Full Integration with NSPredicate
Data Abstract for Cocoa provides tight integration with Cocoa predicates and the NSPredicateEditor, making it easy for your application and for your users to filter data.

Functionality is provided to automatically populate a predicate editor, such as the one shown below, with meta data from data tables, whether to use resulting predicate to filter a local dataset, or to control a subset of data to download using DA SQL. This includes full support for lookup and calculated fields.