Developing Java Clients

The application programming interfaces provided with SAS Integration Technologies enable you to develop Java-based distributed applications that are integrated with the SAS platform. SAS 9.1 Integration Technologies includes:

• The Java Connection Factory interface, which enables Java programs to communicate with IOM servers through an IOM Bridge connection. The connection factory allows you to obtain server attributes from a SAS Metadata Server, from the Information Service (which is part of SAS Foundation Services), from an LDAP server, or directly from an application program.

  When used with the SAS Open Metadata Architecture, the Java Connection Factory interface provides the following:

  • connections to new types of IOM servers (SAS Metadata Servers, SAS Stored Process Servers, and SAS OLAP Servers) in addition to SAS Workspace Servers

  • the ability to use load balancing for workspace and stored process servers and spawners

• SAS Foundation Services, which extend Java application development beyond access to IOM servers. The following core infrastructure services are provided:

  • client connections to application servers (including the Java Connection Factory interface previously mentioned)
  • dynamic service discovery
  • user authentication and profile management
  • session context management
  • metadata and content repository access
  • activity logging

  Extension services for event management, information publishing, and stored process execution are also included.

• The SAS Foundation Services Facade, which includes convenience services that Web application developers can use to easily access the most commonly used SAS Foundation Services methods and objects.

The Workspace Factory interface that was introduced with SAS 8.2 Integration Technologies is still supported for access to workspace servers. However, it is recommended that you use the Java Connection Factory interface in order to take advantage of the newly available features.

Use of this software requires some knowledge of distributed programming. However, every effort has been made to limit difficulty in using the software by rigorously adhering to Java distributed programming standards such as CORBA and JDBC. Whether you are developing an applet, a stand-alone application, a servlet, or an enterprise JavaBean, you can focus your attention on exploiting the features of the SAS platform rather than determining how to communicate with it.

SAS Integration Technologies supports any Java integrated development environment (IDE), including IBM's VisualAge, WebGain's VisualCafe, Borland's JBuilder, and SAS webAF (which is part of SAS AppDev Studio).