The economy and the election are certainly taking up a lot of space in the news and a lot of our attention. When we turn back to work and check out the IT world, we see that it just keeps moving along. There could be some slow down, but new ideas, technologies, and products keep appearing. Green IT is growing; Web 2.0 technologies are everywhere. Virtualization and cloud computing top the list of top trends for 2009. Check out the article on course updates we're making sure we cover these things. Remember in 2005 the overall prediction was that the next 10 years would show incredible changes. So far that's proven to be true, and even the election and the economy aren't changing that.
Here's the schedule or you can view the complete schedule on our Website
CSTA Web sessions:
November 12, 13
December 10, 11
January 13,14
UITJ (Understanding IT Jobs) Web sessions:
November 13
TR Web sessions:
January 21
Keep in touch and keep up with technology!
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Modeling - Changing IT Completely
Modeling has become the basis of all design which is the heart of software development. Modeling is used to specify, visualize, and document software systems graphically. A model is a representation of the architecture of a data structure (data model), or of the steps and work done in an application process (process model). A model can be conceived independently of any notation, hardware, or software. In one sense, it is the essential information expressed through the use of a notation. Modeling is design process used for large and/or complex systems, and current tools allow the developer to build models, then the tool generates the program code. While modeling was first used with large and complex systems, many companies now model everything. Modeling has two subsets data modeling and process modeling.
ER (Entity Relationship) modeling is the oldest and most common data modeling technology. It was introduced by Peter Chen in 1976 and identifies information as entities and ties these entities to each other through various rules that define relationships. As new technologies appeared, ER techniques and notational systems were incorporated and expanded. ER modeling is included in IE (Information Engineering) and UML (Unified Modeling Language). Each of these systems has expanded the technology and each has its own notational system, but all are very similar and it's very easy to move from one to another.
There are two types of process models, software and process. Software processes can be programs, modules, objects, components. Modeling the software processes means defining the executable segments and when and how they will execute. Business processes, of course, are the actions of our businesses. For example, order entry is a business process. It consists of working with data (collecting it, updating it, etc.), but the main focus is on the action itself (answer the phone, ask specific questions, enter this data, etc), when the action occurs (throughout the day, every Friday, at the close of business, etc.).
UML (Unified Modeling Language) is both a development methodology and notational format used with object analysis and design. With UML, developers define a three-tiered model of the application: user interface, business logic, and database. UML then defines thirteen types of diagrams (or constructs), divided into three categories:
Structure Diagrams: include the Class Diagram, Object Diagram, Component Diagram, Composite Structure Diagram, Package Diagram, and Deployment Diagram.
Behavior Diagrams: include the Use Case Diagram (used by some methodologies during requirements gathering); Activity Diagram, and State Machine Diagram.
Interaction Diagrams: include the Sequence Diagram, Communication Diagram, Timing Diagram, and Interaction Overview Diagram.
UML combines the methodologies of the main gurus of object oriented programming (Grady Booch, Ivar Jacobson, James Rumbaugh) and ws developed by OMG (Object Management Group) and was originally released: 1996. It was fully adopted in July, 2006 and many modeling tools and techniques are built on UML.
Business process modeling is the newest form of modeling and it is the one that could have the largest impact on IT. Business process modeling can be done with any process modeling tool and technology, but ,in fact, new tools are being developed. Many of these tools are designed to be used by business men and women not by IT professionals. This could cause significant changes in the way applications are developed. Two languages have already been developed BPEL (Business Process Execution Language) and BPML (Business Process Modeling Language). Even more important, BPMN (Business Process Modeling Notation) was introduced in 2003 and is growing in use by both the business community and government agencies. This technology was developed specifically for business process modeling and is supported by many companies including IBM and Microsoft. BPMN models are much easier for non-technical people to work with than those created with UML and IDEF.
Two terms have been around for quite a while, MDD (Model Driven Development) and MDA (Model Driven Architecture) and both represent the trend to use modeling as the heart of the development cycle. The acronyms are often used interchangeably, and represent a set of standards that use software to generate program code from models. This is so important. It means that the model becomes the program, and any changes or updates are done to the model. The models are saved and every time a change is made to the model, software generates the new code. MDD stresses building functional models that are not tied to specific technologies or platforms. This results in generating code for any number of platforms from the same model, so software is not tied to specific hardware and software. Another factor in the modeling trend is that the tools are more and more designed to be used by business men and women rather than IT professionals. Think of the implications as these tools evolve, application "programming" will be done by business people, and IT professionals will concentrate on systems and technical software operating systems, DBMSs (DataBase Management Systems), and communication systems. IT is changing. But , of course, that's nothing new.
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1. What's the latest innovation in ice?
2. Ruby on Rails is used to build Web applications in Ruby? What's the development framework used to build corporate applications in Ruby?
3. What's the newest and different search engine?
4. Can you run .NET software on platforms other than Windows?
5. We hear a lot about the 3G iPhone what about 4G?
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Updates - We've Got Updates |
This might seem a strange time, but as you know we regularly update all our courses. We're always making minor changes, but we've just made major changes to CSTA (Computers: Systems, Terms and Acronyms, and are in the process of updating UITJ (Understanding IT Jobs) and TR (Technical Recruiting).
We took a long look at CSTA because two things have recently moved from "new and hot" into "accepted and popular." When this happens, these technologies, products, systems, etc. need to be in CSTA. The main update is complete coverage of Web 2.0. Statements were made through the past year that "40% of companies were instituting Web 2.0," then "70% of companies
" The other big change in IT is cloud computing. The term has been around for decades, now the technology is here and in use. In fact, see the Short Vocabulary for Cloud Computing in this issue of TechConnections, and catch next month's issue when Cloud Computing will be the technical article.
The updates to UITJ and TR have started, but will continue through the next few weeks. Now is the time when the IT world takes a look at the future. The articles and surveys on hot jobs and hot technologies are starting to appear. And, so are the discussions of fading jobs and technologies. We've already incorporated much of the projections for 2009 in both courses, and will keep on doing this as long as people keep making statements and running surveys. These are the courses that discuss IT jobs and titles, and we're very intent on keeping them current.
We're keeping up with IT that's our job. And, you can keep up with us!
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Cloud Computing
This often seems to be a new term, but it's actually been around for decades. It's one of those terms that people will understand, but have a hard time defining, and it's just reaching that point. It's still got a lot of synonyms and a lot of confusion worth looking at!
autonomic computing Definition of overall IT functioning which defines the capability of computer systems and networks to automatically configure themselves to changing conditions, and automatically correct errors. This includes both hardware and software. It's defined by the terms: self-configuring, self-healing, self-optimizing and self-protecting. Autonomic and grid computing form the basis for on-demand computing, which is IBM's definition of the future of IT.
cloud computing Technology that relies on hosting and the Internet. Anything, including development tools and environments, storage management, and database processing and management, can live in "the cloud." This means that users will subscribe to hosted functions and the host will supply the resources needed - disk space, servers, etc. Various vendors are providing cloud systems ranging from hosting disk space to complete IT environments with network management and data center capabilities. The word cloud refers to the fact that users have no idea where their programs or their data actually resides.
cloud storage Storage technology. Data is stored on multiple virtual servers, generally hosted by third parties, rather than being hosted on dedicated servers. Many vendors are offering cloud storage, including IBM, Amazon, EMC, HP, Nirvanix, and Google.
grid computing Computer technology. Using software to build a grid of processors and other computing resources that is available over a local or wide area network. The grid system appears to an end user or application as one large virtual computing system. This builds a network of processors that can be used on the same problem and can be used to solve problems too intensive for any stand-alone machine. Grid technology is being used as an alternative to supercomputers for scientific processing and for some commercial processing such as automated testing and data mining. Also called incremental computing, cluster, N+1, utility or Organic architecture. Is often part of on-demand, or autonomic, computing. Introduced: mid-1990s.
on-demand On-demand systems provide IT resources to the user as needed. Resources include both hardware and software. Hardware resources would be provided to companies when needed and companies would pay based on actual use of computers, disk storage, and networks. Software would be provided in a way that is similar to BTO (Build-to-Order) manufacturing. Companies would not create software systems and then sell them, but would build customized systems on-demand. Open standards and virtualization are major components of on-demand computing, and grid computing and autonomic technologies are used to create infrastructures robust enough to support enterprises' increasing IT complexity.
SaaS (Software as a Service) IT terminology. Refers to software that is offered on a subscription or lease basis rather than as a packaged product to purchase and bring in house. The vendor hosts the software and provides the hardware and software necessary to run the application, and users interact with the software through a Web-based front-end. This term is replacing the term ASP (Application Service Provider) and is used synonymously with on-demand applications. Companies can also use a hybrid deployment, which allows customers to either subscribe to or purchase (and bring in-house) the application.
the cloud Terminology used to describe the growing combination of the Internet and services oriented computing. Basically it refers to any computing environment where users are not tied to specific devices for programs, services, or data. It's also called cloud computing, and the tern Internet cloud is also common, as the Internet is used to provide the connectivity to data and programs/services. An early example is gmail, where Google stores your email someplace, and you can access it from any computer, anywhere. IBM has an initiative referred to as Blue Cloud, which concentrates on enterprises running Web 2.0 applications such as social networking, blogs, search and open collaboration projects. Blue cloud would provide resources on demand so users could draw on more computing power during peak times, but also allows better control by reallocating resources during slow times.
Virtualization Systems technology. Pooling together resources throughout the entire enterprise into a single unit that can be managed from a single point. This allows resources to be assigned to a user only as needed, and returned to the pool when free. The resources most commonly affected are storage and servers. Disk Virtualization software manages many physical disks as a single unit. This allows devices to be added without shutting down the system, handles disks from different vendors that have different sizes, speeds, and vendors, and provides the most efficient use of the physical resources by creating virtual devices, e.g. if a system needs more storage, unused space from another disk can be used. SANs (Storage Area Networks) provide storage virtualization. Server Virtualization software builds a pool of servers that can be allocated to tasks, applications, databases, or the Internet as needed. Virtualization software defines virtual machines which allows multiple operating systems to run in one physical machine which increases the flexibility of the total enterprise.
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1. Coca-Cola is using new technology that creates instant ice when the bottle is cracked open. It will introduce Sprite Super Chilled products to the UK market next year, and if it catches on, will use the technology with other products. It will require that new vending machines be built.
2. It's Merb just released in October. Don't you love these names? I cannot, by the way, find out what the name means. I'd love to hear if any of you know.
3. This has to be Hakia a semantic search engine. Rather than searching for key words, it analyzes the meaning of the words, and returns results based on the meaning of the words. You're encouraged to phrase your questions as questions, e.g. "Is bottled water better than tap water?" Is this a better search? Try both and see; the jury's out on this one.
4. First answer is no but, of course, there's a reason for asking! The Mono Project, sponsored by Novell, does just that. It provides the tools to create .NET software that can run on Linux, Unix, and Mac OS X platforms.
5. Well, 4G is here, too. 4G (4th Generation) wireless service is based on WiMax technology. It broadcasts on the 2.5 GHz band which is higher than traditional WiFi networks and provides speeds of 3 5mbps (million bits per second). Technology has been available commercially in South Korea in 2006 under the name WiBro, and is currently available in South Korea, Italy, Taiwan, Brazil, and Japan. And, in the U.S. Sprint's Xohm network launched in September, 2008 in Baltimore.
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