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As the popularity of interactive web applications continues to set the standard, the tools developers use to create RIAs (rich internet applications) are increasingly functional and sophisticated. Some focus more on graphics and animation, while some are directed at businesses breaking into the web world with Software as a Service applications. Two of the main competitors in this market are Adobe, a veteran of RIA development, and Microsoft, which has recently expanded its offerings to RIA developers. Smaller companies, such as Curl and Mozilla, have also embraced the interactivity trend with development tools that have garnered praise. These four players each have something different to offer developers, and their tools are likely to inspire others as RIAs hit the mainstream.

Adobe is by far the largest and best-known company to RIA developers. Flash is the bedrock of their new AIR platform, which stands for Adobe Integrated Runtime. AIR strikes a compromise between online applications and desktop functionality, giving developers the tools to build web applications that run in a desktop environment, sans browser. The tool set was tested throughout 2007 and became available in a 1.0 version in late February 2008. It’s compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems, with Linux support in beta. Applications built in AIR require users to download a small run-time (similar to Flash sites), and these apps utilize many familiar tools for RIA developers.

Users of AIR can utilize Flex Builder, Dreamweaver, Flash, and even HTML and AJAX. There is no single, limiting protocol for creating AIR applications. One concern, however, is security. Since AIR apps run in a desktop environment, they do interact on some level with the operating system, though Adobe has tried to limit this as much as possible. Despite the risks of a hybrid model, AIR has many of the benefits of web applications with the stability of desktop programs. AIR will enable RIA developers to keep the sleekness and beauty Flex and Flash while still bringing the power of the web cloud to desktop apps. These hybrid programs could bypass the limitations of web browsers, allowing offline functionality while still maintaining the speed and data processing skills of purely web-based applications.

Microsoft has taken aim at Adobe with their recently released Silverlight 2.0, which aims to combine animation and graphic tools with better data processing, making it appeal to enterprise users. The browser plug-in, a direct competitor with Flash, allows web-based applications to be developed with animation, vector graphics, and video/audio playback capabilities. The new 2.0 version, released in March, supports .NET languages and development tools. This means that content can be coded in a myriad of languages, including some dynamic languages like Ruby and Python. Future plans for Silverlight also include offline functionality, putting the Microsoft development kit in more direct competition with Adobe AIR.

Another development option for businesses with an RIA focus is Curl, which has been a player in this arena for many years. Curl is more business-focused, helping developers create applications specifically for enterprise use. The platform is a stand-alone tool that integrates seamlessly with business data systems and applications. It supports Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, and has also reached out to developers through open-source projects. While not focused on heavy animation or interactivity, Curl does allow developers to create solid data charts and graphics.

Lastly, Mozilla, the open source company best known for their Firefox browser, has created a tool called Prism which allows RIAs to run in a desktop environment. While not a suite of development tools, Prism essentially lets developers turn any web application into an independent entity, pulling it onto the desktop. This is helpful because it allows users to tweak and run apps outside of a browser window. It is extremely simple, and requires no new technology or special knowledge. Developers can use all their favorite tools, then deliver the finished product as a desktop program through Prism. It is based on the same model as Firefox 3.0, but it is a considerably simpler version to help developers focus on the app itself.

As web-based software becomes the industry standard, more and more developers will turn to RIA-building tools such as AIR, Silverlight, Curl, and Prism. These technologies will also likely expand their reach into the enterprise market, making it easier and more convenient for businesses to create their own SaaS applications and integrate them with existing tools. Business users are more sophisticated than ever, and they will demand the kind of functionality and beauty that RIAs offer.

Monday, April 28th, 2008 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

By Haley January Eckels