Computing Matters

Series for Deriving Web Services from UML Models

2007-03-29T20:19:00.000-06:00

Here is a series of articles about deriving Web services based on UML Models by Scott Ambler:

Deriving Web services from UML models, Part 1: Establishing the process
By following a few straightforward steps, you can organize your object-oriented applications into packages of cohesive functionality that are accessible via Web services. In this first installment of a series, Scott W. Ambler outlines a roadmap for a ...

Deriving Web services from UML models, Part 2
The first task when identifying Web services is to conceptually simplify your object design. That way, as you move forward through the process you only need to focus on its critical aspects.

Deriving Web services from UML models, Part 3: Identifying domain packages
Before you identify potential Web services for your application, you must first identify cohesive packages of functionality that you wish to access via those services. In the third installment of this series, Scott W. Ambler shows you how to organize ...

Deriving Web services from UML models, Part 4: Defining Web services
Web services can be offered by cohesive collections of classes called domain packages in such a way as to provide significant functionality through a small number of services. In the final installment of this series, Scott W. Ambler shows you how to ...

Training for WebSphere Business Modeler v6

2007-03-24T05:51:00.000-06:00

IBM provides partner training through the Virtual Innovation Center (VIC). Once logged into the VIC:
1. Choose "Technical Resources" from the left nav
2. Select WebSphere Business Modeler from the list box
3. Choose the "Training" radio button
4. Click submit

For your convenience, below is the abstract for WebSphere Business Modeler v6 training.

OVERVIEW:

Objective: Upon completion of this course you will be able to: learn about the customer's business and identify areas for improvement; develop strategies linked to the customer's business initiatives; establish buying vision based on the customer's needs; articulate IBM's capabilities and evaluate options for action; develop a solution and obtain agreement from the customer; resolve concerns and close the sale; monitor implementation and evaluate outcomes.

OUTLINE OF UNITS:

Unit 1: Course Introduction: This unit describes the course objectives, the Signature Selling Method, and gives a brief product overview.

Unit 2: Learn About the Customer's Business and Identify Areas for Improvement: This unit describes the first phase of the selling process: learning about the customer's business and identifying high-level deficiencies that can be addressed by the IBM solution.

Unit 3: Develop Strategies Linked to the Customer's Business Initiatives: This unit describes the second phase of the selling process: developing a sales strategy that will address the needs of the customer.

Unit 4: Establish Buying Vision Based on the Customer's Needs: This unit describes the third phase of the selling process: establishing a buying vision with the customer and reinforcing the need for the WebSphere Business Modeler V6 solution.

Unit 5: Articulate IBM's Capabilities and Evaluate Options for Action: This unit describes the fourth phase of the selling process: determining the best solution for addressing business needs, and influencing this decision by qualifying the WebSphere Business Modeler V6 opportunity.

Unit 6: Develop a Solution and Obtain Agreement from the Customer: This unit describes the fifth phase of the selling process: developing the solution and obtaining agreement from the customer that it will serve his or her needs.

Unit 7: Resolve Concerns and Close the Sale: This unit describes the sixth phase of the selling process: resolving concerns about your solution and closing the sale.

Unit 8: Monitor Implementation and Evaluate Outcomes: This unit describes the seventh phase of the sales process: monitoring the solution's implementation and evaluating the outcomes to ensure that the customer's expectations are met.

Ideas for SOA Analysis and Design

2007-03-24T05:49:00.000-06:00

Here are some articles around analysis and design (in an SOA context). I think these are good starting points to begin thinking about A&D in an SOA context.

SOA realization: Service design principles

Deriving Web services from UML models (3 part series)

How developers become architects

2007-03-24T05:45:00.000-06:00

"Many architects come from the ranks of good developers, but not every good developer wants to be an architect, nor are all of them suited for the role. Whether you're a developer contemplating a career shift or a manager looking for suitable candidates for an architectural responsibility, it's important to have a well-informed perspective on this transition. This article discusses the journey from implementation specialization to architecture."

Click here to read more...

Enterprise Architecture in an SOA Context

2007-03-24T05:44:00.000-06:00

Here's a short list of literature from IBM industry experts around EA with an SOA context.

IBM SOA Foundation: An architectural introduction and overview

IBM WebSphere Developer Technical Journal: Introducing the WebSphere Integration Reference Architecture

IBM Systems Journal Covering SOA

Rational: Software Architecture

2007-03-24T05:43:00.000-06:00

Rational is currently publishing a four part series on Software Architecture. Here are the first two:

What is a software architecture?

Characteristics of a software architect

SOA Certifications

2007-03-24T05:41:00.000-06:00

The following is a schedule for getting IBM certifications pertinent to the Noblestar SOA offering.

For each test, I have included a link that details the objectives, suggested reading, and a Sample Test ($10).

Test 664 - SOA Fundamentals --> IBM SOA Associate

Test 665 - Architectural Design of SOA Solutions --> IBM SOA Solution Designer

The next two are relevant for putting together a solution using IBM's ESB technologies.

Test 996 - IBM WebSphere MQ Solution Design --> IBM Certified Solution Designer

Test 997 - IBM WebSphere Message Broker V6.0 Solution Development --> IBM Certified Solution Developer

SOA Building Blocks: An SOA Hello World Tutorial

2007-03-24T05:38:00.000-06:00

I will post more commentary on this tutorial later. But I wanted to share it out to everyone first.

"This series of hands-on tutorials covers the basics of particular IBM software products that play a critical role in implementing an SOA foundation in your enterprise. Learn how to complete a simple task by following step-by-step instructions. A show-me demo illustrates each task."

New WebSphere Technical Journal

2007-03-24T05:33:00.000-06:00

IBM has created a WebSphere technical journal.

No commentary could do it justice however. There is just too much to cover.

Building an ESB with WebSphere ESB

2007-03-24T05:31:00.000-06:00

Here is are two series of articles that explain how to build an ESB using IBM WebSphere ESB:

Series #1
Building an Enterprise Service Bus using WebSphere ESB (Part 1)

Building an Enterprise Service Bus using WebSphere ESB (Part 2)

Building an Enterprise Service Bus using WebSphere ESB (Part 3)

Building an Enterprise Service Bus using WebSphere ESB (Part 4)

Series #2
Building an Enterprise Service Bus with WebSphere Application Server V6 (Part 1)

Building an Enterprise Service Bus with WebSphere Application Server V6 (Part 2)

Building an Enterprise Service Bus with WebSphere Application Server V6 (Part 3)

Steps towards IBM Certification

2007-03-24T05:18:00.000-06:00

1. Get access to the IBM PartnerWorld.
This will give you access to resources to help out with training and education.

If you do not have a PartnerWorld login, call this number: 800-426-9990. Let them know the name of your organization.

They should be able to activate your login, with your email address.

Then click here to setup your profile for the "My IBM registration":

Go this URL, to access your IBM profile:
http://www.ibm.com/account/us/

2. Pick a test to get certified.
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/certs/index.shtml

The least technical certifications to get are the technical sales mastery certifications. However, don't be fooled, these tests still cover content from the formal product documentation. Just because you have developed a J2EE app with WAS does not translate well to passing the WAS Tech Sales test (more on each specific test will be provided in another post).
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/mastery_tests/swt_index_mt.shtml

IBM product certifications can be found here:
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/education/

For more strategic direction, here are the product certification roadmaps:
http://www-03.ibm.com/certify/news/20040916.shtml

PartnerWorld Membership

2007-03-24T05:06:00.000-06:00

In an effort to take advantage of training offered by IBM, I had to use my PartnerWorld login. However, I discovered that my login had not been setup properly.

If you do not have a PartnerWorld login, call this number: 800-426-9990

Let them know the name of your corporation.

They should be able to activate your login, which is your email address.

Then click here to setup your profile for the "My IBM registration":

Go this URL, to access your IBM profile:
http://www.ibm.com/account/us/

Study References for IBM WAS Tech Sales Mastery (M04)

2007-03-24T04:59:00.000-06:00

This post chronicles the necessary steps to prepare for IBM's WAS Technical Sales Mastery (M04) test.

Each section below represents a distinct reference for WAS documentation needed to pass the test. References to below content correspond to the M04 Test Objectives found in the previous link.

Note: preparation for this test assumes intermediate knowledge of J2EE concepts and architecture. For this reason, references have not been recorded for instruction on J2EE.

================================================================

1. Review the objectives listed on the test page. Carefully consider each of these objectives as you begin to follow the educational materials (Tutorial, Reading, and Sample Test).

2. Follow through the tutorial for WAS v6.1 found at the Virtual Innovation Center (VIC). You will need an IBM PartnerWorld login. Follow the instructions in the previous post on this forum titled "Steps towards IBM Certification".
http://www-304.ibm.com/jct09002c/isv/welcome/vic.html

Once you login to the VIC, go to "technical resources" and choose "WAS 6.1" in the list box, and choose the "training" radio button. From there, you will be able to go through the tutorial. Always keeping in mind the objectives from the previous step.

3. Read IBM WAS documentation. Focus on the documentation for WAS (distributed platforms).

The most important content is found in three volumes in order of their importance:

a. Administering applications and their environment (PDF)

b. Using the administrative clients (PDF)

c. Tuning Guide (PDF)

In general, it is important to at least read the first few pages of each concept that comes from the Test Objectives. I have attached the page segments needed to prepare for the exam.

Another concept briefly covered on the test, not found in any WAS documentation, comes from IBM's SOA technology, called "Service Data Objects" (SDO). Here's a short introduction to the technology. It is worth the read as it will likely come up again if you pursue other IBM certifications.
"Simplify and unify data with a Service Data Objects architecture"

4. Take the Sample Test found at the SME Zone.
Login to the VIC, and choose "SME Zone" from the menu.

Pick "WebSphere Software - Application Infrastructure" and choose "training". This will take you to a list of sample tests for certification. For this test, there were 12 sample questions.

================================================================

Study References for:
IBM M04 WAS Technical Sales Mastery Test

I. Administering applications and their environment (PDF)

Overview
19-25

Starting and Stopping
29-30

Class Loading
33-35

Deploying and administering applications
45-118

Messaging
779-789

Security
999
1015-1056
1158-1166
1208
1217
1256
1305-1308
1316
1337

Programming Extensions
1851

Performance Monitoring
2067-2071
2239-2262

Troubleshooting
2263-2298

II. Using the administrative clients (PDF)

Scripting
71-151

Managing Servers with Scripting
198-200
228-235

Enabling and Disabling Administrative Security Using Scripting
280-285

Troubleshooting with Scripting
650-665

Scripting Reference
666, 683, 704, 729, 756, 820, 834-837

Using Administrative Programs (JMX)
837-852, 865-899

Using Command Line Tools
903-904, 915-917

Using Ant to automate Tasks
949-950

III. Tuning Guide (PDF)

Obtaining advice from the advisers
17-30

Tuning the application server environment
31-32

Troubleshooting Performance
133-135

Validating IBM Certifications

2007-03-24T04:52:00.000-06:00

To validate an IBM certification electronically, follow these steps:

1. Click here to login to the IBM Certification website:

If you do not know your Candidate ID, there is a place on the website to get that ID discovered. The Candidate ID should also be on any original certificate you received from the testing center.

2. Navigate to: Member Services --> Certificate Requests.

3. Choose a certificate to be sent (E)lectronically. You will eventually receive an email with the certificate attached. It may take up to 48 hours to get processed.

Opportunities for MDA Plug-Ins

2005-06-01T09:08:00.000-06:00

MDA is a useful concept for software development. The process begins with requirements, which is the CIM. From the CIM, analysts create a Marking Model and execute a transformation for producing a PIM. Designers then create another Marking Model and execute a transformation for producing a PSM. Language platform bindings then provide input for a transformation to generate application code for execution.

The models should be created using a tool which also provides APIs for extension.

Tool plug-ins should be created to take advantage of the MDA standards for model to model transformation.

The following make good plug-ins transformation candidates which exist for (PIM->PSM and PSM->Implementation):

Behavior
UI workflow
Persistence Mapping
Security
Event Service Mapping
Deployment
Transaction Mapping
Scheduling
Service Orchestration

Adobe re-discovers Linux with Reader 7

2005-03-25T08:59:00.000-06:00

"While still not officially listed in Adobe's download page, you can get Adobe Reader 7.0 for Linux from the company's FTP server."

"A link is included at the end of this article for the impatient. I took advantage of this opportunity to get rid of the ugly Acrobat Reader 5.0.9 for Linux, which is included in several Linux distros including my current distro of choice, JDS..."

Click here for the full story on The Inquirer.

Check out the NetBeans Java IDE

2005-03-19T06:36:00.001-06:00

I must say that the NetBeans 4.1 beta (with Java 5 update 2) is quite impressive.

Besides the fact that the GUI is slick and responsive, the project configuration is more forgiving than previous attempts (namely Eclipse).

I like the options that NetBeans affords in setting up the projects. Specifically, how the user is allowed to specify mutliple locations for src and unit test directories.

Firefox has the momentum

2005-03-17T13:42:00.000-06:00

This article demonstrates that Firefox has momentum for adoption in the marketplace. Consider the fact that this software is impacting the decisions made at Microsoft.

Yahoo pledges full Firefox compatibility

While the official Yahoo statement has been watered down, Firefox is still getting a significant amount of attention in the marketplace.

Correction: Yahoo waters down Firefox pledge

Interview: Ken King on the state of grid computing

2005-03-16T08:05:00.000-06:00

During the GlobusWORLD conference in Boston, developerWorks, together with writer Hal Hensley, had an opportunity to sit down with Ken King, vice president of IBM Grid computing. The discussion in the link, below, regards the state of grid computing and IBM's current activities, positions, and ideas on this front.

Click here for article.

Firefox Extensions

2005-03-04T12:18:00.000-06:00

Here are some Firefox plugins that a friend of mine recently brought to my attention. Very cool.

Stumbleupon
StumbleUpon lets you "channelsurf" the best-reviewed sites on the web. It is a collaborative surfing tool for browsing, reviewing and sharing great sites with like-minded people. This helps you find interesting webpages you wouldn't think to search for.

Flashblock
Replaces Flash objects with a button you can click to view them.

Image Show-Hide
Adds an icon to toolbar. By clicking this button (Or "Shift+B" shortcut) you can simply turn on|off images on all web-pages and (optional) autoreload current page!

Screencast with Google Maps

2005-02-28T08:24:00.000-06:00

This screencast is a five-minute walking tour of Keene, NH, courtesy of Google Maps.

Mozilla's browsers global usage share is 8.45 percent according to OneStat.com

2005-02-27T17:03:00.000-06:00

OneStat today reported that Mozilla's browsers have a total global usage share of 8.45%. The total usage share of Mozilla increased more than 1 percent since Novermber 2004.

This is significant because this also means Internet Explorer is reducing in market share now standing at 87.28%

Learning UML 2.0 and Model Driven Architecture

2005-02-19T07:17:00.000-06:00

These articles and presentations serve to communicate the concepts found in UML 2.0 and Model Driven Architecutre (MDA).

UML 2.0
Lamri.com UML Seminar slides
These slides will give you a high level view of UML 2.0.

Allen Holub's UML Reference
Quick reference quide for UML based on the UML 2.0 Superstructure document from OMG.

Introduction to UML 2
A slide presentation for quickly grasping the changes in UML 2.0

Model Driven Architecture (MDA)
MDA is an approach to system development, which increases the power of models in that work. It is model-driven because it provides a means for using models to direct the course of understanding, design, construction, deployment, operation, maintenance and modification. - MDA Guide, OMG

Model Driven Architecure
Slide presentation by Krzysztof Czarnecki, University of Waterloo

Why Model Driven Development
A good basic introduction to MDA by Marc J. Balcer of ModelCompilers.com.

Executable and Translatable UML
A translationalists view of MDA. "because elaboration is stupid!" -Leon Starr

MDA Guide
Introduction to MDA from the OMG

Books
The Object Primer
Teaches about agile development concepts and techniques with UML 2.0, Agile Model Driven Development (AMDD), Full Lifecycle Object Oriented Testing (FLOOT), etc...

Open Source Radio Show

2005-02-15T07:39:00.000-06:00

LugRadio is four Linux fans - Jono Bacon, Stuart Langridge, Ade Bradshaw and Matthew Revell - talking about the world of free and open source software. From the more serious, to the entirely frivolous, this is internet radio by and for ordinary Linux users, who can laugh at themselves.

Silicon Insider: R.I.P. Microsoft?

2005-02-10T18:27:00.000-06:00

I have spoken with many about the impending demise of the giant behemouth, Microsoft. They, being the analysts, typically point to Microsoft's enormous pot of cash, claiming they have the money if they need to remake themselves. However, in his treatise, Malone argues Microsoft may have to die in order to be reborn.

Click here for the story.

Yahoo Tests Toolbar for Firefox Browser

2005-02-10T10:06:00.000-06:00

"Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO - news) said late on Wednesday it has released a test version of its toolbar for the Mozilla Firefox Web browser."

Press Release.

Google's New Map Service

2005-02-08T16:16:00.000-06:00

Google's new map service is one of the best I have seen.

Notice the scrolling zoom on the left.

If you need a link to the address being displayed, for email and such, click on the link button in the top right.

Check it out at: http://maps.google.com

Aqua Data Studio - Cross Platform Database Tool

2005-02-07T22:50:00.000-06:00

"Aqua Data Studio is a database query and administration tool that allows developers to easily create, edit, and execute SQL scripts, as well as browse and visually modify database structures. Aqua Data Studio provides an integrated database environment with a single consistent interface to all major relational databases. This allows the database administrator or developer to tackle multiple tasks simultaneously from one application."

It is about time a cross platform database tool came along. I believe this is a perfect example for where thick client Java development makes sense. Java abstracts the database well enough to atleast be able to execute the queries needed per database in runtime.

Plus, it is free for non-comercial use. Basically, until it is a worthwhile enterprise to invest in database development and maintenance, it is free.

Microsoft Recommends Firefox in Knowledgebase

2005-02-07T16:23:00.000-06:00

For proof, just visit the following MSDN link.

If the link does not work, it is because Microsoft has removed the page. I thought of posting a screenshot, but I am not sure of the ramifications. Feel free to post comments.

Trial: Rational Application Developer for WebSphere Software V6.0

2005-02-04T07:18:00.000-06:00

"Optimized for IBM WebSphere® software, and supporting multi-vendor runtime environments, IBM Rational® Application Developer for WebSphere Software is powered by the Eclipse open source platform so developers can adapt and extend their development environment to match their needs and increase their productivity." -- ibm.com

The RSA download includes Windows and Linux versions of the download.

Click here to download the trial.

Clustering Eases Talk America's Replication Woes

2005-02-03T13:35:00.000-06:00

"Talk America Holdings Inc., a phone and high-speed Internet access provider and an early adopter of Oracle Corp.'s 10g technology, has untangled itself from 50 Informix databases down to two Oracle databases running on an RAC cluster—a choice that's jazzed up its querying capabilities and helped it wipe its hands of a data replication mess."

For more on this article click here.

Another good article for learning more about Grid Computing. Click here for Grid Computing 101.

Sun's Grid Computing Solutions

2005-02-03T08:47:00.000-06:00

In a nutshell, some of the problems solved by Grid Computing according to the Sun website are:

CPUs are not fully utilized across multiple projects within a department
Computing resources in one division are sitting idle while other divisions across the enterprise are experiencing high demand
Compute and application demands go way beyond the capabilities within a single organization or corporate firewall

For more, see Grid Computing at Sun

IBM Technical Journals

2005-02-01T09:11:00.000-06:00

This is a great resource for access to high-end academic computing research.

IBM Technical Journals

This website, links the user to two different journals:

IBM Systems Journal
This journal is a quarterly peer-reviewed technical publication. It features the work of computer systems and software engineers.
IBM Journal of Research and Development
This is a bi-monthly peer-reviewed technical journal. Compared to the Systems Journal, it coveres more general fields of science, technology and information engineering.

A Middleware for Middleware

2005-01-31T09:19:00.000-06:00

People of different languages need a translator to communicate. But sometimes, even people with the same language have a hard time communicating. For these challenging situations, people need a broker.

In the same way, disparate software systems need middleware to facilitate interoperablility and effective communication (i.e. getting IBM z/OS applications to talk to applications running on MS Windows). But now, organizations are adopting a variety of middleware standards, and throw in M&A (when multiple companies become one they often have different standards and interoperability issues), even middleware is challenged with interoperability.

Then there is this technology called Mule. Mule is an Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) messaging framework. It can be thought of as a highly distributable object broker that can seamlessly handle interactions with other applications using disparate transport and messaging technologies.

Grid Computing

2005-01-30T22:00:00.000-06:00

Acording to Wikipedia, Grid Computing offers a model for solving massive computational problems using large numbers of computers arranged as clusters embedded in a distributed telecommunications infrastructure. Grid computing's focus on the ability to support computation across administrative domains sets it apart from traditional distributed computing.

Grid computing has the design goal of solving problems too big for any single supercomputer, whilst retaining the flexibility to work on multiple smaller problems. Thus grid computing provides a multi-user environment.

Another good resource for information on Grid Computing is the latest issue of the IBM Systems Journal. One nice feature of the SJ is that it provides both web and PDF versions of their publications.