Striking Features of Ruby on Rails and why you should choose it

Ruby on Rails has been out in the web development market for quite a long time, but recently its popularity has become considerably high. This open-source web application framework is optimized to ensure programmer delight and sustainable productivity. Ruby on Rails lays stress on convention rather than configuration and hence beautiful codes can be written with great efficiency. The striking features of this framework go a long way in enhancing developer productivity. In this article we will discuss some of the major features of Ruby on Rails before we understand why it has become a preferred choice.

Prime features of Ruby on Rails

• MVC architecture: This framework is founded upon the Model View Controller or MVC architecture which facilitates separation of presentation from data.

• Database Access Library: There is a data access library (known as Active Record) associated with Ruby on Rails that simplifies the process of data handling within databases. Automatic mapping of rows to objects and tables to classes is possible with Active Record.

• Libraries to facilitate common tasks: This web application framework has an array of libraries which help in code simplification in case of regular programming tasks like sessions management, validations and so on.

• AJAX Library: The Rails framework comes with a comprehensive AJAX functions library. Ruby code can be conveniently leveraged for generation of AJAX code, as there is automatic generation of the associated JAVA scripting needed for AJAX.

• Convention rather than configuration: No XML configuration files are associated with Ruby on Rails. Uncomplicated programming conventions are present which can be used to denote the configuration parameters.

• Customized URL: Search Engine Friendly or Custom URLs are convenient to design utilizing the Ruby on Rails web application framework.

• Debugging: Comprehensive error logs are obtained, which makes it more convenient to debug applications.

• Components: With the aid of components, reusable codes can be stored and templates can also be modularized.

Reasons for Considering Ruby on Rails

• The Ruby language itself: The language is quite impressive and incorporates some of the notable aspects of dynamic languages as well as static languages blended across an object-oriented paradigm.

• Code-oriented data model: In case of Ruby on Rails, data model is defined with the help of code. Once the preliminary data model is prepared, any kind of changes to the same is done through scripts that operate the model. This implies that it is a trivial task to reproduce a Rails project on a different server or even aim it against a different database.

• Well documented: This web application framework is very well documented. There are a number of free or paid video tutorials that can be accessed through the web. These tutorials are most of the times very good in terms of quality and also highly interesting.

• Swift development model: Convention is what drives the development model of Ruby on Rails. This means that once you are thorough with the way Rail works, it will do most of the tough job on your behalf. This is applicable for a range of development tasks which can be completed swiftly.

• Direct Access to CSS, JavaScript and HTML: Through Ruby on Rails you get complete control over your code’s presentation layer. This means that you can easily associate the application’s logic with AJAX’s front ends. This allows you to work in co-ordination with design experts, in order to come up with brilliant sites which are hard to develop in systems that are less flexible.

• Tool options: The comparative simplicity of this framework implies that there are a great many quality IDEs available for Rails development. Moreover, the Rails system comprises outstanding tools that cater to a number of needs and many of these are open source or free. Ruby on Rails is indeed a great option if you wish to operate within an ecosystem that provides high class tools support.

This web application framework is the perfect choice for those who think in terms of codes and prefers to work with scripts. Those who have worked with Ruby on Rails will indeed vote for this framework.

We provide Ruby on Rails development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert Rails developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Tips to Enhancing the Performance of SQL Server by More than 65%

When it comes to developing a successful application, the performance aspect of the same comes up to be the main concern. After all, it is essential to develop a high-performing application for best results. A good and proper database design gives the best performance during the time of data manipulation, which results in increased scalability of a particular application.

The performance and scalability of a SQL server is affected by multiple issues. Usually, the biggest gain can be obtained by creating competent and well organized data access code for a particular technique followed by the use of proper development techniques. The performance and scalability of SQL server cannot be enhanced by changing the configuration settings of the SQL server.

So, if you consider increasing the performance level of SQL server, you must keep the following aspects in mind while taking up the task of data manipulation and database designing -

1. Select Proper Data Type: It is important to choose the proper kind of SQL data type for data storage as it helps improving the query performance. For instance: proper string storage must be done by using varchar instead of text data for the simple reason that varchar offers better performance than text. So, always consider varchar, when you need to store data up to 8000 characters.

2. Avoid the use of nvarchar and nchar: when taking up the work of database designing, you must always try to avoid the use of nvarchar and nchar data types as they both acquires double memory. Only if you need to store Unicode data such as Chinese, Hindi characters, etc, you can consider using nvarchar and nchar data type.

3. Avoid the inclusion of NULL in fields of fixed-length: You must practice avoiding the insertion of NULL values in the field of fixed–length. The reason is attributed to the fact that NULL takes up an equal space like the desired value of input for that particular field. In cases, where the requirement of NULL cannot be avoided, you can consider making use of the field of variable-length (varchar) as it acquires less space for NULL.

4. Avoid the use of * in SELECT statement: The best practice to increase the performance of SQL servers include avoiding the use of * in SELECT statement as the server changes the * to column names, prior to query execution. It is also wiser to give the name of columns of your requirement than querying all the columns by making use of * in SELECT statements.

5. Stay Away from Having Clause: If you wish to increase the performance of SQL server, you must also remember to shun the practice of Having Clause as it works like filters over selected rows. It is only preferable to use Having Clause if you further wish to filter the result of aggregation.

6. Make non-clustered and clustered indexes: Since, indexes help in fast access of data; it is always advisable to avoid the creation of clustered and non-clustered indexes. However, you must also be aware of the fact that an increased use of indexes on a table will slow down the operations of insert, update, and delete. Therefore, you must always consider maintaining a limited number of indexes on a table.

7. Maintain a small clustered index: To increase the performance of SQL server, you must also remember to maintain a small clustered index. This is advisable because, the fields that have been used in the clustered index might also find a use in the non-clustered index. Moreover, the data storage in the database is also done following the order of clustered index. Therefore, the use of clustered index on a table featuring multiple rows offers a significant rise to the size of the data.

8. Keep away from the use of cursors: In order to increase the performance of SQL server significantly, you must practice avoiding the use of cursor. This is simply because the use of cursor slows down the performance significantly. It is advisable to make use of SQL server cursor as an alternative to the general cursor.

Following the above-mentioned tips can help improve the performance of SQL server significantly. Designing effective schemas, tuning indexes, optimizing queries, etc are some of the main action areas of SQL server database development, which if handled properly can improve the SQL server performance significantly.

We provide SQL server application development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert SQL server database developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Top 5 Databases to Rely on for your Enterprise Data

Most of the current databases have their origin in the mid or late 1970s. Hence, considering the time span for the existence of databases, it cannot be said that the database market has not yet become mature. An exploration of the present status reveals that the market is immensely competitive, and so far as enterprise database systems are concerned, we have products equipped with a range of features from high availability to hot backups. Some of these database systems are available free of cost and for some databases, the prices can be as high as thousands of dollars. The crucial matter to consider is that no single database system can handle all the problems related with data. Each database comes with its own benefits and shortcomings. Let us discuss the top 5 databases which need to be considered by any person or entity handling data and requiring a database server.

• Oracle: This database system came into being in 1979 and was the earliest commercially obtainable RDBMS (Relational Database Management System). Since its inception, Oracle has come up with complex yet powerful database solutions which have proven record of uninterrupted data delivery. In short, performance and security are the two most significant qualities associated with Oracle databases. Some of the other crucial advantages associated with Oracle are the ability to perform every transaction in an isolated manner, durability of result, recycle bin option, capability of handling large sized data.

• SQL Server: Convenience of use, availability and a well organized integration for Windows operating system makes SQL Server one of the best options for firms that make use of Microsoft products. Interestingly, SQL Server 2008 is considered by Microsoft as the most preferred platform for delivering solutions on business intelligence. With this database system, clients do not need to interact directly with the raw data tables but they are required to connect with an intelligent data manager over the server. In case there is some problem with the client machine, the underlying tables are not affected.

• DB2: This database system is flexible enough to operate on UNIX, Linux, Mainframes and Windows and has also proved to be a very cost-effective option. The most striking feature of DB2 is that it enables clients to compress the database size for several kinds of data including indexes, row data, XML objects, temp tables and binary objects. This in turn enhances performance and efficiency of the disk.

• Sybase: Enjoying around four decades of success, Sybase still continues to be a primary driver within the enterprise market. The increasing popularity of Sybase is triggered by its solutions delivered in partnership with the mobile device market. The major advantages of Sybase databases include capability of handling large query loads, intelligent query processing, quick aggregations and data comparisons, and enhanced productivity because of reduction in query time. In case of Sybase database system, the entire indexing and database occupy space lesser than that occupied by raw data.

• MySQL: This database system started its journey as a niche product for developer and gradually became a major competitor so far as the enterprise database market is concerned. Presently, MySQL drives thousands of commercial websites as well as a plethora of internal applications of the enterprise. This database system can be used very conveniently and ensures extreme security for sensitive data. Other advantages of MySQL include speed, scalability, the capability of supporting a number of development interfaces and the ability to run on numerous operating systems.

There are a number of databases which currently exist in the enterprise marketplace, each with its own distinctive features. The five databases discussed here are recognized amongst the best bespoke database development technologies that the industry has produced and which are immensely reliable for enterprise data.

We provide database development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert database application developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Top 5 Web technologies which can wow you

The last few years saw the triumph of HTML5, the gradual maturity attained by CSS3, the launch of Rails 3.0, as well as the extensive popularity of @font-face selector (which is in fact a component of CSS3), amongst different other technologies. In other words, web technologies have become increasingly popular and a lot of developments have taken place in this field around the last decade, a phenomenon that is still going on. Here we bring to you the top 5 web technologies you can bank on in the years to come. These technologies have in fact proved themselves to be trendsetters, having a notable impact on development of applications and websites.

• jQuery Mobile: JQuery is considered identical to JavaScript largely due to its ease of use, extensibility and robust project leadership features. Aiming to be an effective web framework for Smartphones and tablets, optimized for the touch screen aspect, jQuery Mobile is amongst the most popular projects, and is expected to carry forward the concept of cross device, cross platform web development to the next step. As an increasing number of developers are inclining towards HTML5 for creating apps, a strong JavaScript framework for the mobile becomes an enticing solution. In fact, jQuery has the potential to turn into the most effective mobile JavaScript framework.

• Web Browsers with Hardware Acceleration Capabilities: IE9 (Internet Explorer 9) is tremendously swift as it makes use of hardware acceleration and DirectX 10 technologies, which has the potential to increase the capabilities and speed of the browser to a great extent. The IE9 platform provides enhanced support to the native audio and video capabilities of HTML5 development. Microsoft has brilliantly crafted this browser version to bank on the most recent GPU chips and multicore processors bringing in the latest hardware.

• Server Side JavaScript and Node.js: Node.js is in fact a toolkit which enables the composition of event driven servers within JavaScript. This implies that users do not need to wait for sluggish I/O operations to get over before starting with other operations. In case of Node.js everything happens in the server side JavaScript. This is very significant for things which call for high speed, such as real-time web applications, file uploading, streaming, web crawlers and so on. Node.js expectedly marks a beginning of an extensive inclination for server side JavaScript.

• Synchronized Clickstream Sharing: There are a number of ways to share information or other stuff that you are coming across in the internet. There has been a huge explosion of social media sites and other publishing systems available online, all the more due to the mass incorporation of share buttons coupled with the continuous acceptance of desktop clients, bookmarklets and widgets, which all turned sharing into a very convenient task. Synchronized Clickstream sharing is most likely to become the next step, so far as sharing personal online experience is concerned.

• NoSQL Databases: NoSQL is in fact a very casually defined term that describes database engines which usually do not operate according to the conventional relational database architecture that is largely being used. No SQL databases are considered as alternative databases, and some of the notable ones in this group include Apache Cassandra, Amazon’s Dynamo, Google’s Big Table, CouchDB, MongoDB, Riak and Voldemort. NoSQL databases can effectively handle big data, which is a significant benefit keeping in mind the increasing volumes of data that businesses need to store. Moreover, NoSQL databases are very economical as they make use of groups of low-cost commodity servers for handling the ever-increasing transaction and data volumes. The flexible data models make room for convenient change management.

There is probably no culmination point for the developments taking place in web technologies. As innovative and original technologies are crowding the marketplace on a regular basis, more and more interesting technologies are expected to woo users with their exceptional features.

We provide HTML5 games development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert HTML5 developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Top 10 Upcoming Trends in Medical Device Software Company

So far as Information Technology is concerned, the healthcare sector is rapidly emerging as one of the most popular business domains. Some years back, the healthcare segment was not so much adapted to the use of information technology, but now this sector has huge potential, the reason why the IT sector is increasingly inclined towards the healthcare market. In fact, the IT sector has been actively involved in the extensive integration of clinical, financial and operational segments of the private hospitals or other health departments. IT continues to play a significant role in making things simpler, smoother and hassle-free for clinical professionals, medical staff, executive and others involved in the field of medicine.

The Emerging Trends

Medical software is a very significant segment of software engineering. Many software companies are facing the challenge of living up to the expected quality assurance and hence the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) compliant software solutions are being outsourced for medical devices like Activity Monitors, Glucometers, Pedometers, Pill Bottles, Weight Scales and Thermometers. These medical devices are used for controlling or monitoring purpose and are very often regulated by regional or local laws, including FDA and MDD (Medical Devices Directive). The laws mainly regulate the system level testing and software development process. In an effort to innovate and at the same time comply with the existing regulations, medical device software companies have adopted certain trends. Here we will discuss some of the emerging trends.

• Electronic Technologies: The growth of silicon technology continues to trigger developments in this area. Trend setting developments are expected to take place in the domains of wireless systems, robotic devices and IT systems within the next decade. The advances are mostly related to computer aided diagnostic systems, electronic medical record devices, internet-oriented medical systems, virtual medical coaching systems and networking systems.

• Artificial Organs: The emerging trends in case of artificial organs relate to tissue-engineered materials, neurosensory systems, glucose level monitoring systems, electro-stimulating systems and bio-integrating prosthetic limbs.

• Biological Products: So far as biological products are concerned, emerging trends have been witnessed in the drug delivery system. This will have a positive impact on the safety and efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry.

• Invasiveness Reduction Technologies: The upcoming trends in invasiveness reduction technologies revolve around imaging systems and devices. Medical device software companies are coming up with innovative devices like advanced MR, optical imaging and ultrasound, based on the concept of image-oriented therapy. Innovations are also rampant in the field of minimally invasive therapeutic products, such as implants and radiotherapy systems. Software companies are also leveraging Phototonics, especially in the field of optical diagnostics and therapeutic devices.

• Technologies for Decentralized Care: A potential development in this area is the home and self-care systems, which ensure that patients can play a significant role in the maintenance of their own health. This leads to increased efficiency and reduction in healthcare costs.

• Demographic Technologies: This emerging trend is seen to have the potential of producing a number of new devices within the next decade. There would be development of categorical products for the older population and a comparatively younger population.

• Detection Systems: Early detection has always been one of the crucial points of discussion in the medical domain. Digital disease detection systems along with effective data management techniques are expected to bring positive developments in medical detection.

• Diagnostic Technologies: Medical device software companies are working hard to come up with improved systems to ensure better computer aided diagnostic procedures, especially in the field of genetic diagnostic systems.

• Patient Monitoring Systems: Remote monitoring systems are increasingly becoming popular. The most significant improvements in this area are remote cellular and web viewing as well as real-time transmission of data to hospitals from ambulances. Hence there is an upsurge in the Patient monitoring systems development.

• Clinical Decision support System: This when properly leveraged may prove to be a tremendous boon for the medical industry. The interactive system is designed to facilitate the analysis of patient’s data by medical practitioners and other health professionals.

The emerging trends in medical device software companies may potentially lead to impactful developments in the field of healthcare. When properly leveraged, the developments will indeed prove to a boon for healthcare providers as well as patients.

We provide healthcare software development services. If you would have a need for mobile health app development or would like to speak to one of our expert developers, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

10 Must-Know Things about SharePoint 2013 for All IT Pros

The release of SharePoint 2013 has been considered a great launch from Microsoft’s closet. It is derived from the earlier editions of SharePoint launched in 2007 and subsequently in 2010 to offer better support for mobile users, big data and public-centric websites. Let us probe into some crucial aspects of this latest release of Microsoft that all IT professionals need to know.

What’s so stunning about SharePoint 2013?

• Enhanced branding for better web presence: Gone are the days when lots of time had to be spent brooding over confusing designer assets, complicated style sheets and complex packages. The process has now become much more convenient. Presently, any web designer having adequate skills in CSS, HTML and JavaScript will be able to brand a public-facing as well as internal SharePoint site within a short span of time. This in turn leads to the reduction of expense for internal support. Moreover, the utilization of SharePoint as a platform for public-centric websites becomes much more cost-effective.

• Improved hosting for public-facing websites: Previously, it was indeed difficult to host a public-facing website over the SharePoint 2007 platform. The same site could be hosted on SharePoint 2010 with more convenience and with the brilliant capabilities of SharePoint 2013, the process evolved significantly. The latest release incorporates the ability to dish out pages for a variety of devices such as tablets, mobile phones and so on. The latest version of SharePoint also includes a large number of features with respect to search engine optimization, such as friendly URLs, XML based sitemaps, SEO setting by a variety of site collections as well as robots.txt support in order to delineate areas outside the boundary of search engine crawlers.

• Augmented business intelligence: SharePoint 2010 started off with a brilliant platform for big data reports and business intelligence and the capabilities witnessed considerable expansion with the release of SharePoint 2013. Now, SharePoint is equipped with the tools to provide enhanced business analytics and insights. The assimilation between Excel and SharePoint has also become tighter. Moreover the latest version also comes with a potent PowerPivot program which allows you to work with a plethora of columns and rows directly within the memory. Again, features like Dashboard Designer, Visio Services and PerformancePoint Services all function in unison to present a handsome picture of business metrics and health.

• End-user training: The latest version of SharePoint is equipped with an innovative feature that enables a particular group of site collections to operate under the 2010 version during installation of SharePoint 2013 code. In other words, the SharePoint 2010 code is being run within the 2013 version, which facilitates compatibility maintenance and testing with all applications and custom codes built over SharePoint.

• Enhanced mobile support: As SharePoint sites were being utilized in different categories of businesses, the issue of poor SharePoint performance in mobile devices was something that Microsoft had to cope with, so far as the earlier editions are concerned. Presently, we have the HTML5 coded view alternatively called the “contemporary” view which is tailor-made to ensure rapid access across BlackBerry, Android, iPads, iPhones and Windows Phone devices. New support is also available for push notifications, therefore the 2013 version can conveniently reach out as well as push any message into the device depending upon a number of factors.

• Machine translation services: This is one of the most innovative features of SharePoint 2013, which performs content translation automatically. In case an individual or entity requires content to be translated over and over again into several languages, then this Machine Translation Service is of immense help to the content creators.

• Simplified licensing: This facilitates the accessibility of features that were earlier allowed only after payment of extra license fees. An important feature, Fast Search, was available at additional price with the 2010 version but now it is assimilated within the 2013 edition and comes at no extra fee or license.

• Cloud readiness: The 2013 version of SharePoint is developed to make room for cloud services. It can operate totally in the cloud by means of Office 365 and constitutes all the major aspects of SharePoint on-premises.

A couple of concerns about SharePoint 2013

• Migration: It is a known fact that migration towards anything new has its own woes. When it comes to SharePoint 2013, you cannot adopt it unless you are already operating on the 2010 edition, until certain third-party tools are purchased.

• Distinct product editions: To maintain the cloud readiness, Microsoft has come up with two flavors of the product: SharePoint Server, that can be installed on own datacenter and premises and Office 365, which operates within the cloud (in Microsoft’s datacenters). This leads to a series of overlapping elements with respect to the capabilities and features, but Microsoft hopes to cater to all categories of client requirements.

Like every product that is launched into the market, SharePoint migration 2013 might bring with it a few worries. However, keeping in mind the striking and beneficial features of SharePoint 2013, the product indeed has a long way to go.

We provide sharepoint cms customization services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert sharepoint developers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Poor Practices that Damage Efforts of Test Automation

Every upcoming development methodology places considerable importance on testing, which includes Test-Driven Development, Feature-Driven Development, Behavior Driven Development, etc. Although automating tests has prevailed since long time, a number of development organizations still fail to get it right with the process.

Well, the reason can mostly be owed to the inherent bad practices that have been running across the wide range of testing and development methodologies. Here is a quick look at some of the poor practices and useless habits that has been restricting a number of organizations from gaining the real worth and benefits of automation of several software –

• Avoid assuming that test automation is simple and can be taken up by anyone: Since the tools comprise record-and-playback features, it is believed that anyone familiar with the mouse can run successful automation of tests. A part of such belief can be blamed on the high dependency of the industry on the subject criteria more than the objective criteria of the test automation tool. The matter that the appearance must be made easy in terms of just pointing –and–clicking the way to ROI for easy sale of the test automation to the mass is never stated right. Assuming that you can send anyone for automation-training for developing the required expertise is a bad idea. On the contrary, you must take time and put up a team that understands diverse programming concepts and software development process.

• Record-and-Playback: Did you ever think about what makes record-and –playback so popular in the industry? Well, simply because it helps the team feels productive, even though the team is undergoing a futile exercise. Record-and-playback allows your team to design test scripts that can be thrown away. Even if the script fails to work, there is hardly any reason to worry. All you need to do is re-launch the recorder and start the process all over again. Always remember that if test automation had been that easy, the need of its specialists would have never existed.

• Framework Test and Job Security: Having an expert automation specialist is not always a good idea, as there is a disadvantage for the same. Relying on just one person for designing and maintaining a test framework for a team of testers is never a good idea. If you are in the field of software development, you must be aware of the term “spaghetti code”, which involves a complicated control structure. The concern that comes up is who will be maintaining the framework, in case the specialist goes missing from action. It is important for you to design a simple framework that is well-documented and can be maintained easily. This would save the team from losing out on any expertise of the framework.

• Keyword-Driven Testing: So, it is almost understood that automation-testing is not an easy task to accomplish. Building a library of code related to table based functionalities might help the accounting or the QA team to go ahead with the automating process and that too successfully. If you are considering going ahead with the idea of implementing keyword-driven testing, you must always focus on listing the skill set of your team. This particular method works only when the team is blessed with the technical knowledge of maintaining, enhancing, and executing the framework. However, it is not being said that keyword-driven testing is a bad idea. It is not required for the entire team to be involved in the process.

Test automation of software is never an easy task to take up. Designing efficiencies or building expertise into the process of development is a tough task to achieve. However, doing the same mistake continuously will make this topic remain on the cycle of software development. Avoid looking for an ultimate solution to test automation. On the contrary, consider relying upon a realistic and practical approach of building automation library that is robust and can be reused. It is also important for the automation library to provide good ROI.

In such a scenario, to leverage the maximum benefits of automation testing, scouting for a list of automation testing companies is the most helpful. Once you get a list, it would be helpful to understand their expertise in then find an overlap with your needs.

We provide automated regression testing services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert automation testers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Advanced Tools and Techniques for Mobile Application Development

For every person in this world, cell-phone is a need. Every application is designed in a way to meet world-class business standards. There are a variety of applications in various fields including business, entertainment, utilities, hospitality sector, games and much more, these apps are made sure to fit to various screen sizes be it iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, laptop, palmtop etc. It has many great features which makes it all the more demanding.

Advanced Features of Mobile Applications

There is a great demand for apps as it benefits the business, like builds relationships, increases exposure across mobile devices, generate repeat business, reinforces your brand, increases visibility, increases accessibility, connect you to consumers and enhances social networking strategies. Big businesses like Target and Gap, Amazon, eBay, also started promoting their brands and merchandise with Mobile Apps a few years ago. Auto dealerships, hair salons, realtors – a whole host of industries – jumped to mobile apps in quicker time. All this has progressed as mobile apps are the most affordable and effective way to reach out to customers these days. Mobile application development has many advantages; firstly it has one-touch access to your contact information. Secondly its fast, one can easily access to inventory, get notifications of special events, launches and schedule appointments. Thirdly, one can freely have one-to-one chat. Fourthly get directions and location information easily and much more.

Smart features and functions are embedded that are unique to mobile devices, such as mobility, personality and flexibility, mobile applications are able to provide end-users’ added values, including anytime, anywhere access, the ability to pinpoint users’ locations and flexibility in arranging tasks. Convenience and efficiency are the main advantages of mobile applications both for customers and the company’s employees. They are the two primary fundamental objectives that end-users expect mobile applications to provide.

The demand for having an iPhone or iPad app has increased necessitating the needs for businesses to think beyond the PC. There are around half a million iPhone applications available on the web which has 20 billion downloads every month. Most mobile applications are not only portable but also support multi-tasking, multi-touch and multi-language features. They run across multiple platforms though developed by a single code. There are certain tools and techniques, which helps mobile application development achieve the need of modern apps.

Cross-platform Mobile app development tools

Everyone is aware about the next 'in- thing' today, that is multi-platform applications. iPhone or Android app developers take a number of cross platform development techniques and successful developers search for the right tools and approaches to suffice appropriate requirements and use cases. Top tools used for cross-formatting mobile application development are:

• RhoMobile: An open-source framework written in Ruby. OS, which includes Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian, iPhone and RIM, creates native apps for all kinds of tablets.

• PhoneGap: is another great framework uses standard web development languages such as HTML and JavaScript. It now powers over a 1,000 native app per month.

• Appcelerator: This platform uses web technologies and develops great apps for desktop, mobile and tablet applications. It offers cloud-based services for packaging, testing and distributing software applications developed on the Titanium platform. Supports programming languages like HTML, PHP, JavaScript, Ruby and Python. At present influences over 1,000 native apps per month.

• Sencha Touch: It supports BlackBerry, Android, Kindle and iOS. It develops around innovative HTML5, mainly its components deal with touch functions. As it is HTML5 based, it has the capability to way in apps at the same time as offline.

• MoSync: Is multi-platform mobile app developer SDK tool, which is based on custom web programming. This SDK comprises of compilers, libraries, runtimes, device profiles and other functional tools.

• Whoop: Is a WYSIWYG editor that allows one to play around by simply drag and drop mobile app elements onto it. Apps can be exported in numerous formats, depending on the OS, incorporating Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Android, iPhone and more.

• WidgetPad: Is a mutual, open-source environment for development of Smartphone apps. This program mainly utilizes customary web technologies like JavaScript, HTML5 and CSS3. Enterprises are focusing on porting existing desktop applications to mobile and creating new mobile applications for use within the enterprise to improve employee productivity.

• AppMakr: Browser-based platform designed to create iPhone app quickly and easily. It manages existing content and social networking feeds to produce a variety of different approaches for apps. It includes features such as push notifications, location- details GeoRSS, custom CSS and JavaScript capabilities.

• GENWI: This is a Smartphone publishing platform allows to create and manage on all popular mobile devices, including iPad, iPhone, Android and HTML5 apps. It delivers rich graphics, photos, video, audio and other forms of interactivity. Apps can include various revenue-generating capabilities for businesses, like ads, coupons and in-app subscriptions.

• Mippin: This platform allows to create apps for Android, iOS and Windows. It provides flexibility in designing apps and makes it available in the iTunes, Android, Windows and Amazon stores.

• SwebApps: It easily deploys, tracks and updates native mobile app for any business. One can easily create iPhone and Android app online. Once it is available for download via the iTunes Store or Android Marketplace one can easily update content in real time.

• MobiCart: An e-commerce store which links with PayPal to allow any business or consumer with an e-mail address which securely and conveniently receive payments online at a low cost.

• MobBase: This app builder allows RSS feed to keep fans up to date on band news and events, one can easily browse apps to find information on upcoming shows, buy tickets and get directions. It has a huge following fan of singers and band.

• IPFaces: iPFaces is an open source framework developed by Edhouse for simple creation of native application for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, BlackBerry and devices . This framework is for simple creation of native, form-oriented network applications for mobile devices.

Building Mobile apps can be an effective way to differentiate your brand, opens new revenue channels and deepen relationship with customers. Above tools can help developers come up with the customized apps that are best suited for any business. Good tools help new developers easily get started and make experienced developers more productive in deploying great customized apps.

We provide mobile app development services. If you would like to know more about our android app development expertise, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

Impact of mHealth on Healthcare

All these can be done through applications available on smartphones and tablets from remote locations. mHealth solutions offer huge benefits when properly designed and implemented. For e.g. they make it possible to deliver better healthcare care at lower cost, reduction of costs for healthcare systems, expansion of various types of healthcare software development services, support for outcomes. It also helps in empowerment of patients to take greater ownership of their health. The success of mHealth is linked to intense pressure to deliver good care outcomes within increasingly tight budgets.

There are some sections of people in the care industry who have questioned whether mHealth can actually effectively contribute in a convincing manner for non-communicable diseases like screening / diagnosis, retention and follow up, system’s co-ordination. It’s currently estimated that there are 40,000 mobile health applications that are providing wireless users with unequalled access to information and capabilities. The market is becoming comfortable with telemedicine technology and even demanding it. The savings that have been proven to be achievable by the introduction of mobile working are difficult to be ignored.

mHealth technologies faces some issues and challenges in its implementation. To start with, one of the major concerns has been that of having to optimize the user interface in order to ensure that users have an error free and convenient working experience. There are other issues like network connectivity, access to a central server, coordination of individual devices with a central coordinating office and systems integration.

Some researchers have also indicated that in low and middle incomes countries, there is seems to be lack of evidence to indicate the improved benefits, both in terms of operational and better healthcare, of using mHealth services. Protection of data is also a matter of concern. Since the system makes it possible to store, access and transmit sensitive personal data of patients, it is highly imperative that necessary actions are taken to ensure that data is secure and unauthorized individuals are not permitted admittance. There is an Act brought in place to handle this concern. It requires data transmission to be encrypted and secure to prevent it from being intercepted and accessed. Also it has made it mandatory to encapsulate the information so as to ensure that people had restrictions, given their nature of interaction in the care process, to accessing sensitive patient information.

Moving beyond the promise and the hoopla created around this field, mHealth by all means can only meet its potential if it were to be fully integrated into general health programs i.e. the various pilots phases have to be give way to wider and bigger scale of implementation and subsequently acceptance at regional and national levels. Having said that, there are a few essential elements which have to be made available for this field to succeed. Two most important amongst those are internet connectivity and ubiquitous access to information. The other important factors include secure data handling, options for social networking, availability of web and native applications and most importantly training to the stakeholders involved in the roll out.

Also, with time as mobile health systems move towards scale the current set of guidelines and strategies need revision to reflect the new demands of the changing landscape. There needs to be more affirmative actions on the part of the government and leadership of e-health programs for not only development of capability and capacity but also its adoption and implementation. For e.g. in US, regulatory guidelines have put mobile apps that control devices critical to a patient’s health or measure factors, such as vital signs, have been subjected to fall under federal oversight whereas fitness, wellness, and medical resource applications are not.

We provide healthcare software maintenance services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert healthcare mobile app development company, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Best Practices for Effective Load Testing

This testing generally estimates an application’s maximum functional capability, whether the existing infrastructure can support the application, the application’s sustainability as measured against peak user load and the count of concurrent users that the system can support along with scalability to ensure accessibility for more users. Since a number of components are involved, load testing requires an effective strategy in order to ensure a successful outcome. Let’s discuss the main steps of load testing before we proceed to look into the best practices. These will be helpful when you seek to differentiate between Load Testing Services providers.

Major Steps of Load Testing

• Planning: It is very important to plan a target load in order to determine whether the application is able to support that load. While planning it is best to make use of a calculator to estimate how many concurrent users are required to attain the target load level. Moreover, proper test account data should be created during the planning phase.

• Configuration: In order to derive the best results, the load test should be properly configured. For configuring the test, you need to consider certain basic things like where your web traffic would be coming from, the number of users coming to the site, how the user load should be applied, whether the test should be conducted with virtual users instead of real users, where within the site users are spending maximum time and how much time users spend on navigation.

• Scripting: One of the major components of load testing is an appropriate load testing script that enables the simulation of real user behavior over the website in an accurate and efficient manner. For scripting, you need to chart out a scenario outline, recognize a practical range of pause times amidst steps and decide whether the script will call for parameterization or randomization.

• Execution: During the execution of load testing, you need to focus on certain metrics that are usually captured while running a load test. Some of the most useful metrics are number of page views, number of successful transactions, types and number of errors, page load times and throughput. While running a load testing, there should be a constant scope of communication among all the responsible parties, namely the developers, database administrators and system administrators.

• Analysis: The aim of any load testing is to find out whether the website or application is facing any capacity or performance issues. If such things happen, you are required to analyze the test result to identify the probable causes.

Best Practices in Load Testing

• While carrying out the different steps of load testing the following best practices can be considered to maximize the success rate.

• While running a load test, ensure that the environment is identical to what it is during recording of the test. If there are any changes in the operating environment, you might need to rerecord the tests.

• In case load tests are conducted on a Siebel application, comprising a list applet, care should be taken to ensure that the list’s expected state is identical during the recording session and the execution session.

• Wherever possible, it is good to break scenarios into a number of smaller components so that the tests are focused. The transaction definitions should be granular enough to enable the identification of performance issues.

• The HTTP message bar traffic needs to be eliminated from transactions. Place the requests for message bar within your script exterior to the transaction blocks.

• If you are planning for iterative actions, ensure that the application is in its base state and the next iteration can begin from there and get completed productively. Moreover, iterative actions should be made self-sufficient.

• Data value parameters should be set up in such a manner so that they are specific for every virtual user. Again, each virtual user should possess a particular data subset within the database.

• Ensure that the position and role of the user are compatible, so that the user can carry out the essential actions.

By appropriately following the best practices, the common pitfalls that clients face during load testing can be conveniently avoided. This ensures better and more successful test results.

We provide software performance testing services. Our certified load testers can help increase the robustness of your application. To know more how, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Emerging method of healthcare – Telemedicine

There seems to be a strong feeling amongst people in the field of medicine that we are at the beginning of a new change in which telemedicine, broadly defined, will become an essential part of mainstream healthcare. This will ensure that patients will be able to receive the appropriate care, at the appropriate site, by the appropriate provider at the appropriate time – all this will be done avoiding duplication and reducing waste. Thus Telemedicine is expected to move to the forefront of medical efforts for any improvements to be made in care efficiency and quality. It is a common thought shared by experts in the field of healthcare that telemedicine now should be considered an integral part of the system and used in conjunction with other information technologies like electronic and personal health records to derive its maximum benefits. Thus every new healthcare program or initiative has to be approached with a telemedicine angle in mind. As more people understand the value technology brings to virtual health efforts, the use of telemedicine will become more widespread.

The things mentioned above may sound very logical and something which should be done without wasting time for the obvious benefits that it stands to offer. However, there are quite a number of impediments to be faced. For instance, quite contrary to the belief that this approach is a new one, this field has been around for almost 50 years now. One of the major reasons for its slow progress has been the right amount of push which has been missing from the government for most of the part of the last two decades now. There is a complete lack of a roadmap or a strategic plan. This is because the industry has no assigned governing bodies overlooking its operations and roll out like the ones supporting electronic health records. The Meaningful Use development incentives do not include Telemedicine under its fold even in its third and last stage. Although there are bodies which have openly claimed to promote wider adoption of telemedicine to expand care to remote areas, improve care and cut costs, there has not been a solution figured out to handle the reimbursement part of the puzzle. Researchers conducted had predicted close to 2 million patients worldwide standing to gain by 2017 by the adoption of telehealth. At the same time independent experiments conducted have shown this approach not to make any significant difference in treating patients suffering from chronic conditions. Also, the treatment part put aside, there have not been significant improvements in their reported quality of life or anxiety or depression symptoms.

Inspite of the fact that there are some issues which are yet to be addressed in this approach, there is a widespread belief that Telemedicine is one of those new ideas whose time has come. There might be loopholes which are identifiable, but there is enough scope for them to be plugged. Telehealth is going to thrive because there are perennial issues which it addresses like the rise in the care costs, shortage of good quality providers and the ever increasing demand for care. Going by the recent news available telehealth is becoming more of a priority for several states across the United States of America. Infact a Bill has been introduced which plans to expand reimbursement for telehealth services in federal programs. A standard is also to be created for medical software development licensure in telehealth. This will be done to ensure that no medical benefit is excluded solely because it is furnished via a telecommunications system. It is also to allows insurance companies to reimburse physicians who consult with rural doctors using telemedicine.

Like with all new approaches there are areas which need attention and problems which need addressing in order to derive the best benefits out of the system. But that the widespread use of telehealth and telemedicine will bring about a major change in the field of healthcare and medicine – making it affordable and convenient besides bringing about tremendous improvements in reach in the remotest of locations. The federal and state governments on their part should now do everything in their capacity to help the sector draw the fullest benefit out of this approach and change its stance of becoming a roadblock in its progress which it has to a large extent till now.

We provide healthcare software development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert healthcare software developer, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

10 Smart JavaScript Techniques to Improve Your UI

As an easy-to-learn yet powerful language, Javascript is hugely popular among all website developers and designers. You can also avail the benefits offered by different Javascript frameworks through a variety of tools, templates, plug-ins and resources. These techniques further help you in keeping the users engaged without writing lengthy codes. Some of these simple techniques will further enhance the look and feel of websites that will constantly attract the regular as well as potential users.

Smart JavaScript Techniques that can boost the Performance of Your UI

1. jQuery Hover Sub Tag Cloud: Many users want to views the sub-tags associated with a particular tag while hovering the mouse over it. You can use the jQuery Hover Sub Tag Cloud to make the tag clouds more stylish and comprehensive without writing any additional code. The technique will display the sub-tags associated with a particular tag in a pop-up box that will be shown each time a user hover over the main tag.

2. Opacity Change: You can make the browsing experience of the website visitors more enjoyable by distinguishing between different elements. For instance, the color or look of a specific content can be changed, so that a user can easily identify the content he has already clicked on. The Opacity Change technique enables you to easily incorporate opacity changes for a specific element to achieve a number of objectives.

3. jQuery Image Upload and Auto Crop: Most web applications allows users to crop the photos uploaded by them. Many users even use specialized apps to crop the images before posting those on a website. You can use the jQuery Image Upload and Auto Crop tool to make it easier for users to crop the images after uploading these. As the script is developed based on jQuery framework, you are not required to write additional codes, or use image libraries.

4. Password Strength Meter: Every user wants to keep his personal information secure and inaccessible. Users often explore options to choose the strongest password for their online profiles and accounts. You can make it simple for the users to evaluate the strength of the password entered by them by using the Password Strength Meter. The tool will help users in identifying the strength of the password while completing the registration form. Based on the information, they can combine letters, numbers and special characters to beat the hackers.

5. Magic Zoom: While browsing through a web store, customers love to see the image in detail. Some users even click on the image to see a much larger picture. You can use Magic Zoom to allow users to easily see the detailed image, while accessing e-commerce websites. The tool will enable the website visitors to view the image through a magnifying glass, and observe its features in detail.

6. JQuery Autotab: While completing an online registration form, users often use tab to access the next input field. You can use the jQuery Autotab to make it easier for the users to filling out the web form. For instance, when a user enters his social security number, the autotab will automatically move the focus to next input. The technique further enables you to improve the user experience by adding autotabs to variety of web forms.

7. Javascript Login Form: Often a website designer has to explore options to make the login page more engaging. The Javascript Login Form is designed by integrating a beautiful Photoshop layout and jQuery. The techniques make it easier for designers to impress user by displaying a simple and concise login page that does not include input boxes. Along with saving space, the simple login form will further display the login form only to the registered members.

8. Context Highlighting Web Forms: Many web designers find it a daunting challenge to design an interactive web form. In addition to looking stylish, the web form must allow users to enter the details within a few minutes. As a script, Context Highlighting Web Forms allows you to optimize the look and feel of signup forms. As a potential user can see the status of signup form completion, he will feel motivated to join the website.

9. Sliding Top Panel: You can optimize the user experience by deciding the information that needs to be hidden. As a script, the Sliding Top Panel offers a number of benefits provided by the Javascript Login Form. With the technique, you can enhance the appeal of your web forms by packing the unnecessary information away neatly. The user will be provided with certain options that he can use to access the additional information.

10. Social History: Each website, nowadays, must be promoted to get online visitors on a regular basis. So, companies often required website designers to include links and buttons to make it easier for users to promote their blogs or website. Many developers write lengthy codes to promote the website on several popular social networking platforms. But you can use the Social History techniques to display the promotional button or link based on the social networking website visited by the user recently. The feature will automatically show the option to users based on his choice of social media.

A Javascript developer can also use Javascript techniques and patterns to improve the size as well as appeal of his codes. Some simple JavaScript functions can also be used to make the UI more engaging and interactive.

We provide java web development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert java developer, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

7 Striking Benefits of Using ColdFusion’s latest version

At present, ColdFusion 10 has the potential to provide inherent support for HTML5 as well as to power up the performance leveraging Tomcat synchronization and improved caching. Loaded with the latest hotfix set up machinery and scheduler, the Enterprise Edition of ColdFusion 10 empowers enterprise developers to enhance productivity, while at the same time amplifying the encryption and authentication techniques, thereby imparting more security to websites. 

ColdFusion web application development not only remains significant to existing developers but it can help out any web developer with its smart inherent solutions and the fundamental advantage of productivity. For instance, the Enterprise edition of Cold Fusion 10 can build up organization ready applications of Java EE at a very rapid pace. Let us explore the top 7 striking benefits of using this latest version of ColdFusion.

Potential to incorporate more security for applications: With the help of ColdFusion 10, developers are able to rope in more security for servers against CSRF or Cross Sites Requests Forgery and XSS or Cross Side Scripting, by leveraging inherent functions that serve to sanitize the user input. There is a power packed log-in functionality that can fortify the validation of applications. With this increasingly secure profile, default secure settings can be enabled within the server.

Moving a step further with the latest HTML5 Charting and Web Sockets: With the help of the exceptional integrated support for HTML5, web developers are presently able to craft a large number of applications that range from E-commerce, Online Podcasts, Web based games, Social Networking, Online Collaboration and Enterprise Dashboard. The inherent support available for the HTML5 Web Sockets allows web developers to circulate data among numerous clients or carry out an end-to-end data push utilizing concurrent server response. They can make use of the support offered by the integrated functionality to instantaneously make use of HTML5 Web Sockets, even with no preceding information regarding the protocol. It is also possible to access a huge storehouse of client side, interactive HTML5 charts as well as conveniently put them into practice using the integral CFCHART tag. A superior user experience can be created by tailoring charts, including those that are set up on Adobe Flash technology.

Performance enhancement with Enhanced Caching, Tomcat Integration: An inherent application server (Apache Tomcat) substitutes Adobe JRun and allows developers to make use of the dynamic and immense support provided by the developer community. Moreover the latest web standards as well as the usual security updates can be easily accessed. Developers are able to cache segments of pages consisting of occasionally updated data and enhancing custom handling through creation of manifold cache areas on the fly.

REST and HTML5 facilitate easy Mobile Application Development: Developers are able to effortlessly publish the ColdFusion constituent in the form of a REST or Representational State Transfer web service having integral support for every HTTP method, including XML and JSON serialization as well as de-serialization. It is possible to craft a convenient platform for mobile applications by means of the innovative REST support. Moreover, effective and powerful bidirectional communication is provided by Web Sockets.

Revamped Scheduler for better task management: With the help of the ColdFusion 10 developers are able to administer tasks in an increasingly organized, scalable and granular manner through running tasks within a cluster system. By making use of application specific tasks, grouping, chaining and event handling, developers can exercise more flexibility and control.

Convenient creation and publication of WSDL-oriented Web Services: ColdFusion 10 incorporates support towards SOAP 1.2, WSDL 2.0 specification, and document literal wrapped style as well as refurbished Web services support by means of AXIS2 engine.

Enhanced productivity by means of language enhancements through scripting support: The improved scripting support offered by ColdFusion 10 enables developers to rapidly come up with comprehensive applications, whereas language enhancements serve to boost the readability and code quality. Better flexibility and control is rendered by closures.

As we can see, the latest version of ColdFusion almost offers a new dimension to web developers. In fact, this full-fledged server side software creates a platform for highly scalable applications.

We provide coldfusion development services. If you would like to hire coldfusion programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

What is ASP.NET? -Top 9 Advantages of ASP.NET

When choosing a programming framework to build our own website, the most important things which you should keep in mind are the benefits the framework brings in terms of security and scalability, the support it offers and the reliability it offers in terms of its community of developers. And ASP.NET framework incorporates of these and has a keen eye for precise performance. It is known as Active server pages which is the advanced version of ASP. This framework is responsible for web application development supporting inheritance, polymorphism and other standard OOP features. With the help of this open-source framework, developers build robust applications using DLL class libraries and other latest features of the web server.

Hence it does not come as a surprise that ASP.NET powers thousands of applications which are used world-wide. Be it a small business website or be it a mammoth backbone application for any large enterprise being used across geographies and accessed over distributed device network, ASP.NET powers them all. Since it provides all the features you could possibly require, you could build dynamic web applications which are easy to envision, create and maintain.

Let us look at the top 9 advantages which make ASP.NET the most sought after technology amongst programmers and why customers want .NET application development done.

Greater Speed: ASP.Net can build websites quicker by making use of richer controls which can create calendars, wizards, grids on the fly.

Higher Scalability: ASP.Net has some great scalability features built into it, including maintaining session state across servers and multi-processor load balancing, thus building interactive and scalable products.

Code Less: It is complemented by a rich toolbox and designer in the Visual Studio integrated development environment. It has some easy ways of deploying applications like WYSIWYG editing, drag-and-drop server controls. This powerful tool provides automatic deployment by making use of its advanced features. ASP.NET uses the multi-language abilities of the .NET Common Language Runtime, allowing Web pages to be coded in VB.NET, C#, J#, Delphi.NET, Chrome, etc.

Efficiency of web server: The web server continuously monitors the pages, components and applications running on it. If it notices any memory leaks, infinite loops, other illegal activities, it immediately destroys those activities and restarts itself.

User Authentication: ASP.Net supports forms-based user authentication, including cookie management and automatic redirection of unauthorized logins. ASP.Net allows for user accounts and roles thus providing a high degree of granularity for controlling access to objects and pages.

Object and Page Caching – ASP.Net objects and pages can be cached to dramatically increase performance. The caching system is very advanced, allowing you to specify what needs to be cached and what doesn’t and when to recall the cached information rather than perform a new request. Thus making it easier for the programmers.

Open Source: Its vision is to create a best practice architectural framework, leveraging the ASP.NET MVC framework with NHibernate and whole other Open Source libraries. All processes are carefully controlled and managed by ASP.NET, so that if the process is dead, the new process can be created in its place, which helps to keep your application constantly available to handle requests.

Enhanced Reliability: ASP.NET automatically detects and recovers from errors such as dead locks and memory leaks to ensure that your application is always available. For example, when a memory leak is detected, ASP.NET automatically starts up a new copy of the ASP.NET worker process and directs all new requests to the new process. Memory Leak, Dead Lock and Crash Protection are all controlled by this platform.

Security: The data-validation and authentication is well executed under ASP .NET framework. Using .NET inheritance, base classes can be developed which can serve the authentication purpose before displaying the information to a user. One can customize the page information regarding what the current user is entitled to view. If any page’s displayable data is not secure, that information can be secured by content encoding in ASP .NET framework. ASP .NET does a better performance by early binding and compilation, native optimization and catching facility which decrease security risks.

All smartphone apps and modern web apps are built in ASP.Net as it has many interesting application features, functionalities which are easier to use. It has gained a steady market due to its mass acceptance among corporate houses for providing reliable, customized solutions with custom web application development. Upgrading to ASP .NET will help us build richer and interactive applications. Therefore in the coming years it will give us more secure and versatile online applications dominating the web in a smarter way and helping our business to grow.

We provide .Net development services. If you would like to know what makes us expert dot net developers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.