Earlier this week, software and technology services firm Compuware Corp. announced version 3.1 of its OptimalJ development platform — a model-driven development tool that highlights support for the Web services security specification.
The Detroit-based company also unveiled its vision for helping developers build service-oriented, enterprise-class applications using the the model-driven pattern-based (MDPB) approach.
MDPB takes the models developed in modeling tools and generates all the framework code that’s needed by a working application, said Mike Burba, product manager for Compuware OptimalJ.
“It’s more than a code-generator,” he said, explaining that it is a framework generator that uses patterns to automatically translate business models into working applications.
The MDPB uses patterns to automatically translate business models into working applications, which enables development organizations to deliver higher quality applications faster, according to the company.
With Compuware OptimalJ — a Java development environment that generates working applications directly from visual models, leveraging patterns to implement best practices for coding to Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) specs — the latest version will extend the ecosystem of Compuware’s quest to deliver MDPB, Burba explained.
Burba said the MDPB approach will span the application lifecycle and include application testing and production. Eventually, the models will contribute more artifacts to application construction.
The latest version of OptimalJ will provide flexible modeling, including tools from IBM Corp.’s Rational Rose and Borland Corp.’s Together Control Center. It will drive legacy modernization by extending support for IBM’s infrastructure software to integrate with WebSphere MQ so that Compuware OptimalJ customers using the IBM platform can leverage their existing infrastructure. Burba added that it will ensure platform flexibility by broadening options for deployment in the integrated test environment and it will support Web services security.
Analyst Rikki Kirzner, research director for application development and deployment at International Data Corp., said that with security such a major issue these days, particularly in regards to Web services, tools vendors need to start incorporating it into their products.
“It’s critical for tool vendors to be designing this in now,” she said.
Along with the WS-security spec support from the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS), version 3.1 also includes testing support for BEA WebLogic Server and IBM WebSphere Application Server, and also has enhanced features for legacy integration.
Burba said that many enterprise development firms face challenges in modernizing legacy applications. Those same firms also experience high rates of failure with Java products and have an ongoing need to “do more with less” money.
In related news, Compuware announced earlier this month that it acquired Covisint LLC, an automotive industry e-services firm.
Compuware is acquiring Covisint’s Communicate portal software, its Connect Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) messaging system, and its Problem Solver dispute resolution technology. It will also pick up 100 of Covisint’s 120 employees. Those employees will move to Compuware’s Detroit headquarters. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
– With files from IDG News Service
