IBM Database Connectivity for JavaScript

One of the most important aspects in an Ajax based website is ensuring speed despite the high content within a low bandwidth setting. The connection between the client and the server should be fast and execution of command should be flawless. This is possible in Ajax based applications especially for applications that have a strong server support. Without a strong server support such as the physical properties of the server and its configuration, the Ajax based application would just be a slow application.

This scenario is possible in small web development companies who aim in offering an Ajax based application. Although they have the skills in building one, their hardware capabilities are limited. They need to have something powerful to help them in ensuring their powerful Ajax based application should work fast despite the heavy content.

IBM has found a way to increase the speed of the Ajax based application without the necessary hardware by releasing a middleware called the Database Connectivity for JavaScript. This middleware enables the client to request for the information faster by directly accessing the relational data of the server.

By advancing the client side request for relational data, information and function is streamed faster. The reason why relational data slows down Ajax based websites is that most of the JavaScript relational data are custom built which means, each relational data on Ajax based application is different.

More often than not, the client side and the browser still has to figure out what type of relational data they are using and execute from there. The middleware addresses that problem by creating a generic relational data which practically works like ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) most of the browsers today can easily identify ODBC. By emulating the functions of ODBC and transferring it to JavaScript, browsers can easily run the Ajax based application simply because the relational data is easier to read and process.

The key to this middleware’s success is based on its ability to transfer not just the data but the function as well. IBM’s middleware is actually pretty simple. The request for data and function is translated into XML and through the middleware it connects to the server where it parses the message, executes the request and releases the function. But before it is sent back to the client, the middleware parses the message and release to the client as an expected function.

The only requirement for this middleware is to ensure that the data in the server is compatible with the client’s request. Unfortunately, the middleware is not smart enough to translate or identify the database. It will eventually discard the data and throw in an error function.

This is a browser based concern so it might slow down the development of the application since each browser has to be configured with the right data to connect with the server. Although this might slow the development process of the application the outcome of the Ajax based application is faster and secured because of the middleware that enhances the access to the server side.