This section shows how NetKernel's unique properties are perfectly matched to many styles of Web-application. In addition it shows that NetKernel is not limited to the Web and can support applications using other network protocols such as email or SMS text-messaging.

AJAX enables rich end-user browser-based applications. User interactions with a page initiate Javascript HTTP calls to fine-grained data services. The data received from these calls is presented to the user by dynamically modifying the browsers document which gives a feeling of immediacy to the user. Data is exchanged using either XML, HTML or JSON as the over-the-wire data format.

AJAX applications can make frequent data services calls to keep the browser display current with user actions. An AJAX server must be very responsive to these calls.

NetKernel is a superior server for Ajax applications. NetKernel's URI addressing of server-side code makes creating fine-grained 'data-channels' for AJAX applications very natural. Since NetKernel is REST-based each channel acquires scaling, performance and cacheing from the underlying infrastructure.

Furthermore by scripting services using NetKernel's server-side Javascript language, NetKernel AJAX applications gain a unique symmetry between the client-side development environment and the server-side service implementations. Working in a single language on both sides of the client-server boundary eliminates the need for a developer to context switch.

This symmetry extends to data formats - whether you prefer to use XML, HTML or JSON, NetKernel provides a rich range of service-based tools for processing inbound data and for constructing and issuing outbound responses.

NetKernel readily supports client-side AJAX toolkits. However, NetKernel offers a unique ability, since the toolkits are Javascript they may be imported and used in any server-side Javascript code too! And since NetKernel dynamically compiles server-side Javascript to bytecode, performance is on a par with native Java.

CRUD Application Server

Create, Read, Update, and Delete (CRUD) applications are simple business systems with persistence. Their main attraction is the rapid speed with which they can be developed and deployed.

NetKernel is a superior platform for CRUD applications because it eliminates the need to develop, maintain and bind to an object model. NetKernel uses a resource oriented approach in which messages and data are routed using simple scripts assembled with NetKernel tools. Data or requests coming from the client browser are automatically transformed into an XML message which can then be routed to a URI addressed application service for processing - including storage in the RDBMS. Data from RDBMS queries can be returned as XML documents which can then be transformed easily into a presentational view. There is no need to use or bind to an object model.

NetKernel's URI service addressing is a natural match to the Web-application structured URL interfaces. URI addressing allows applications to be partitioned into tiers for ease of management, development and deployment. In addition, each tier benefits from NetKernel's fine-grained caching ensuring the system is always balanced.

An email-based system offers the ability to mix human readable messages with application data, such as purchase orders, as attachments to an email message. NetKernel's ability to orchestrate long running processes allows innovative systems to be developed that accommodate human agents working with these messages along side NetKernel's application processing.

NetKernel offers easy to use mail sending capabilities, either to provide data processing applications that respond with email responses or to provide email responses for Web-applications etc.