In response to David Berlind's " Why click-and-drag IT may elude us," Lee Snover writes:

Your attempts to "webify" a simple application are very interesting. I feel your pain.

I'm a 20+ year software developer, specializing in Oracle and SQL apps. I rode through the client-server revolution and the maturation of Windows as a viable platform, and have extensive experience with a variety of 4GLs, etc.

About four years ago, I started looking into what would be required to "webify" our mid-range accounting system, not just put it up on Citrix, but develop a real Web version. I've looked at all the major tools, from proprietary stuff like Omnis Web forms from Raining Data, Oracle's Web version of Oracle Forms (both 9 and 10), IBM WebSphere, plus a host of Java-based platforms. All of them are extremely expensive and complex to implement.

I find it astonishing that today, in the post Internet boom, there is an absolute paucity of tools that mere mortals can use to develop Web-based applications. I've worked in very complex, object-oriented environments, with three-tier architecture, and none of it was as complex as the simplest Web development tools. Java-based tools are the closest to standards you can find, and frankly, I find Java overwhelming, slow, and not very well integrated with the database backend tools. It takes weeks to develop and deploy the most simple functionality, and there are way too many layers to look after.

The bottom line is there really is nothing quite like a 4GL development environment that handles all of the complexities of a multi-user Web-based application--especially if you want something that handles reporting of any complexity, and does not rely on proprietary downloads and specialized ports, all of which limit potential uses by third parties.

I have seen one very promising, overlooked tool. Don't laugh when I tell you this: Take a look at Filemaker 7. It's a completely new version of a long-time simple database tool. The development environment has been expanded greatly, with simple things like script parameters and multi-key relations. But, what is so intriguing about this simple and cheap tool is something called "Instant Web Publishing," or IWP. This is the first product I've seen that let's you design an application in a 4GL environment, then simply go in and setup "users," turn on the IWP feature, and Voila! You can have a fully functional application running in a Web browser with absolutely no knowledge of Web servers, HTML, Java, etc. It is incredible to find such functionality in a puny $299 end-user-oriented database.

It's still new, and has its quirks and limitations, but it is really incredible what this little program allows. And, yes, there are multitudes of plug-ins for working with files, Outlook, SQL databases, and more on the way. Although there are not as many as for Microsoft tools, they are simple and cross platform.

I don't work for Filemaker and I'm not affiliated with them in any way. I work for an insurance consulting firm. I was forced into using Filemaker against my will, because the actuaries use it and like it, and they are not programmers. I've grown to appreciate its simplicity and reliability. This new version has incredible potential.

I hope the big guys get their act together and start making tools that regular folks can use, but they seem to be getting more complex every release. The market will force a change eventually. I'm surprised no one has seen the potential and jumped on the opportunity that obviously exists.

--Lee Snover
Consultant, Milliman USA