LANSA (development environment)
LANSA is an integrated development environment (IDE) for building desktop, web and mobile software applications that can be deployed to Cloud, Windows, Linux and IBM i server platforms.
The LANSA development environment includes:
- High-level programming language
- Business rules and data definitions metadata repository
- Data management services
- Application framework
- Integrated development environment (IDE)
High-level programming language
LANSA's high-level development language is called RDML, which is an acronym for Rapid Development and Maintenance Language. RDML is an important part of LANSA's low-code development platform. High-level programming languages like RDML, require less hand-crafting of code (a lower volume of coding) than traditional programming languages. They are therefore often referred to as "low-code" development platforms. Development, maintenance and debugging of mobile, web and cloud applications is all in the single RDML language, which then generates the underlying code required for the front end and back end application components. This negates the need for developers to learn the multiple languages typically associated with such development.
Business rules and data definitions repository
The LANSA development environment includes a metadata repository which is an enhanced type of data dictionary. The repository is a database that contains data and file definitions, business rules, application templates, and RDML code.
The repository stores information about fields (or data elements) in the application including descriptions, column headings, edit codes, visualizations, default values, help text, and prompt programs. It holds information about files and application database including physical files, logical files (or views), relationships, file definition attributes, file validation rules, trigger programs, multilingual definitions, virtual fields, and predetermined join fields. Objects and components used for event-driven Windows applications also reside in the repository.
Applications share objects and logic from the repository and the repository is an active participant with the applications as both the custodian of the data and business rule definitions, and the rule enforcer.
Data management services
The data management services provide a data abstraction layer, similar to a data access layer, that separates the physical data from applications that use the data.
Applications access data using data management programs generated from data definitions and business rules held in the repository. The data management programs know about the structure and relationships of the database and the business rules that control create, read, update and delete actions. When definitions and rules change the data management programs require regeneration but the applications that use the data require no change.
Applications are independent of data structures,[1] formats and locations and access the data by issuing requests to the data management programs.
DOC With Visual LANSA's Web development tools you can rapidly generate Web applications for use on desktop, laptop or mobile devices that securely access corporate data.
Visual LANSA simplifies designing and creating Web applications. It hides the underlying complexity of application development and automates Web development activities. Developers can build Web applications starting from a blank page or use a wizard to guide them through the early stages of development.
These features make it easy to build dynamic Web applications with the appearance and performance of desktop applications.