Understanding Tango
Enterprise
Dynamic Web Applications
Tango Components
How Tango Processes a
Request
Platforms Supported
Cross Platform
Scalability
Database Support
Web Server Support
Integrating Tango with other
applications
Run-Only Query Documents
Variables
Security within Tango
Tango
Enterprise
Tango is a leading-edge rapid
application development tool for creating interactive Web
applications for the corporate intranet and the Internet.
Tango's intuitive visual development environment means
developers can create innovative applications in record
time-without learning how to program in C++, Java or
Perl.
Dynamic
Web Applications
You want to improve communications both internally and to
the world at large. It is no longer sufficient to simply
present static pages of information. Your business needs
call for business-critical applications. This is where Tango
comes in. With Tango, you can quickly create applications
that are integrated with your databases such as:
- personnel directories
- inventory management systems
- internal communication management systems
- online requisition forms
- online shopping systems
- product & pricing catalogs
- online conferencing & chat
- and much, much more
Creating advanced applications such as these used to
require extensive programming in C++, PERL, HTML or CGI
codes. Tango's visual development environment eliminates the
need to program, allowing you to begin creating your
solutions today.
Tango
Components
Tango is comprised of:
Tango Editor is the graphical tool you use to
create dynamic web pages. It allows you to define actions
that search, insert, update, and delete data, specify HTML
for the display and entry of data, and guide how Tango
interacts with DLLs, UNIX executbles and Apple Events.
The Tango Application Server makes the
applications you create using Tango Editor available to
users of your web server. Tango Application Server reads the
query documents you create with Tango Editor, interfaces
with databases, then composes the HTML used to display the
information in the user's web browser. The resulting HTML is
passed to the web server.
Understanding Tango Editor
The Tango Editor application creates query documents for
your web site. A query document is a series of actions that
allow a user to search, update and return information to and
from a database. When a query document is viewed with a web
browser it appears as a series of web pages with searchable
and/or updatable columns. Through these columns users query
the database. The purpose of Tango Editor is to allow you to
create any series of web pages which extend the
functionality of your databases for use on your Intranet and
the World Wide Web.
How
Tango Processes a
Request
Here is how Tango Server interacts with your web server:
- The user performs a query within a web browser.
- Tango Server receives a message from your web server
via web server plug-in Tango CGI.
- Tango Server looks at the query document to determine
how to respond to the message. If necessary, Tango Server
communicates with the selected database server.
- The results of the database operation are returned to
the Tango Server, which uses your query document to
format a response in HTML format.
- The response is then sent to your web server and is
viewed by the user in a web browser.
Platforms
Supported
The Tango Editor application can be used on:
- Windows NT 3.5.1 (or greater)
- Windows 95
- MacOS
The Tango Application Server can currently be
deployed on web servers running on:
- Windows NT 3.5.1 (or greater),
- Macintosh,
- Solaris SPARC and
- SGI IRIX 6.2 or greater
- Releases will include AIX, HP/UX, Digital UNIX and
others.
Cross Platform
Scalability
The applications you create using Tango are completely
scalable across all platforms. You can develop your
applications using Tango Editor on Windows NT, Windows 95 or
Macintosh and deploy them on Windows NT, Macintosh, or UNIX
web servers--without recompiling.
Database Support
Direct
Tango Enterprise connects directly to Oracle , FileMaker
Pro (Mac) and Butler SQL (Mac). Future releases will include
direct connectivity to Sybase, Informix and SQL Server.
ODBC
Tango Enterprise supports the Open Database Connectivity
(ODBC) standard. You can connect to your Oracle, Sybase,
Informix, Sybase, SQL Server, MS Access databases using an
ODBC driver.
Web Server
Support
Tango Enterprise integrates with all web servers that
support the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) standard. Future
releases will include support for Netscape's NSAPI and
Microsoft's ISAPI interface.
Integrating Tango
with other applications
Calling other applications is easy with Tango. You can
integrate your existing applications with your Tango
applications using DLLs (Dynamic Linked Libraries), UNIX
executables and Apple Events.
Run-Only Query
Documents
Consultant Developers will appreciate Tango's ability to
create run-only query documents. Run-only query documents
can be executed by the Tango Server, but cannot be opened by
Tango Editor. You can now create and transport packaged
Tango solutions, while protecting your investment in query
document "coding".
Variables
One of Tango's greatest strengths is the ability to use
variables, instead of fixed values, in almost any action
parameter. There are variables for accessing many different
pieces of information, such as form fields, search arguments
and CGI parameters like the authorized user name of the
person performing the query.
When a query document is called, Tango substitutes the
variable references in each action with the actual values.
Additional Variables that Tango can use include:
- Client Name
- Client IP address
- Client Domain Name
- Client Browser
- Referrer Page URL
Security within
Tango
Tango integrates with firewalls and standard security
methods of your web servers, such as SSL (Secure Sockets
Layer) while respecting your database access privileges.
Server-side logic provides controlled access to your most
critical information--you define your users' privileges and
control navigation within the application. Database commands
are not exposed to your users, preventing unauthorized
access to your data.
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