A multi-layer framework for enterprise application development

Abstract

Building Enterprise Information Systems (EIS) presents, by a structural point of view, a number of somehow repetitive tasks like programming behavior and structure for Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) for user input and data retrieving; coding verbose protocols to accessing application servers for merely input and retrieve data; coding numerous routines implementing database queries for answering several kinds of user transaction requirements, and others. For most applications, these tasks are numerous, repetitive, complex and error prone. Besides, they are very similar in most enterprise applications. This work proposes an object-oriented multi-layer framework for automating basic structural tasks for enterprise applications, freeing developers from time-consuming, low aggregated value tasks and allowing them to concentrate on the actual goal of software development: the implementation of user requirements. The framework is constructed over three conceptual layers - presentation layer, business layer and service layer - each one playing a well-defined role in the architecture.