2.3.4 Building LANSA Applications
A development environment using an Active Repository architecture improves the way developers create business applications. A central repository removes the redundant information from individual programs. The common business application information needs to be defined only once. With LANSA's integrated development environment, building an application is a simple two step process.
Step 1: Build the Repository
The first step in building your application is defining the information about fields and files to the LANSA Repository. Again, you can load existing databases into the LANSA Repository. You have a choice of how many or how few of the repository features you use. The more business information you centralize in the repository, the higher the productivity and return on your development investment.
One of the key benefits of the repository is that it can be changed even after application programs have been created. You can continually add new rules and definitions into the repository. It does not have to have to be a "fully completed" repository before you can start program development.
Step 2: Build Your Application Programs
Once the basic repository information has been entered, you can begin developing your application programs. These programs may be created using LANSA RDML or could be written using another language on another platform. As you begin programming, you may find additional logic that you wish to add to the repository using triggers or stored procedures. You can also use a cyclic process of refining repository contents as you first develop your programs. Many of the productivity and maintenance benefits are the result of how LANSA RDML uses the LANSA Repository.
The LANSA Repository and RDML work together to create a powerful integrated development environment. When developing your applications with LANSA, you use a two step process of developing your repository and then your RDML application logic. The development process is cyclical. You will often go back and enhance the repository as your business changes.
No matter what type of development or what type of application you are creating, you will need to develop the repository first. The repository is common to all products in the LANSA family. Your investment in the repository can be shared and reused. It is important to spend time to properly define the repository. It will form the core of your application for years to come.
Remember, LANSA's RDML is much more productive because it has been designed to reuse the information it knows is already defined in the repository. Before you begin to develop your RDML applications, you will need to make some decisions about the application style. The application style can impact the RDML you develop. Whether Universal, Windows Optimized, Web Optimized or Open, you can use your RDML skills to build the application. (Refer to 2.1.2 LANSA Application Models and 2.1.7 Types of Business Applications.)