Web services creation eased
Compuware's new tool automatically generates web services code
Compuware has released a new version of its OptimalJ development tool, which can automatically generate web services code. Version 3.1 enables companies to develop system models from scratch in the Universal Modelling Language (UML), and is the first development environment to implement the new Web Services Security (WS-Security) standard.
The updated tool uses Model Driven Architecture (MDA) to produce Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) applications from UML models, incorporating standard code - called patterns - for deployment on various systems. Release 3.1 also implements web services security using simple tick-box clicks to select the types of security required - for instance to select encryption.
Ruud Grotens, OptimalJ product manager, said that this approach could lead to major productivity gains. Analysts praised the tool, but said that its success would depend on whether developers could be weened off hand-coding.
"The tool's web services capability coupled with security is good, but its strongest feature has to be its use of patterns to implement J2EE for seasoned Java developers," said Bola Rotibi of analyst firm Ovum. "The problem is [still] requiring people to take a different approach to development, which is less about code than high-level thinking."
OptimalJ 3.1 also provides J2EE code variations for BEA WebLogic 8.1, IBM WebSphere 5, Oracle and SunOne, and the open source JBoss and Jonas application servers.