FileMaker Best Practices for Developing Accessible Solutions

Many enterprises, nowadays, use FileMaker to create custom solutions without putting any extra time and effort. The cross-platform relational database application further enables users to update or modify their databases simply by dragging new elements into the forms, screens and layouts. The current version of FileMaker also comes with capabilities to make the data accessible to users on a variety of conventional and mobile devices. However, the programmers must consider and implement several best practices to build robust and accessible solutions with FileMaker 13.

Best Practices for Developing Accessible FileMaker Solutions

Enhance the Code Readability

FileMaker currently does not provide a comprehensive code editor to developers. So they miss the convenient options to write clean and structured code. However, the programmers have option to external editors and snippet along with several keyword expansion tools. It is always important for the code writers to rite cohesive code that can be encapsulated and reused without any hassle. In addition to using strongly named grouping conventions, they are further required to handle all probable errors, while avoid using additional dependencies.

Make the Layout Mode More Accessible
The accessibility of a FileMaker solution also depends on its layout design. The programmers can connect field labels to the active field by using the Accessibility Inspector. As the field labels will be read by the screen readers, it is important to include navigation and buttons in the tab order. Further, each button must have short and simple text labels. The screen reader can read the text label of each button, so no title or label needs to be added to the button text. Instead of displaying the status bar, the layout buttons can be used to get enhanced control and accessibility.

Optimize the Images
While designing the layout, developers must avoid using images. Similarly, the decorative objects also need to be avoided if they provide no relevant information or function. The Accessibility Inspector allows them to describe images in the container fields. However, each text object must be spelled correctly to be read and understood by the screen reader. It is also a good idea to opt for pop-up menu style instead of the drop-down list style. Similarly, instead of using the drop-down calendars, the programmers can display calendar icons within the field. The existing tooltips also need to be copied and pasted into the Title field in the Accessibility Inspector.

Opt for List View Layout
While creating FileMaker solutions, programmers have option to choose from both List View and Table View layouts. But they can enhance the accessibility of the solution by using the List View layouts, while hiding the Table View layouts. Further, they need to use the field objects instead of merge text when working with the List View Layout.

Optimize the Application’s Search Capabilities
The accessibility of a FileMaker solution can be further increased by optimizing its search capabilities. Nowadays, users access database solutions from a variety of devices including computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets. So the solution must find the relevant data based on the search keywords entered by users, and display the search results quickly. It will become easier for the solution to find data when the fields are identified, and results are read out clearly. Thus, each field must be described in a clear and unambiguous way to enhance the FileMaker solution’s search capabilities.

Work on the Application’s Look and Feel
The look and feel of the FileMaker solution will also impact its accessibility level. So the layout must be optimized by applying high-contrast themes. Similarly, the users must have option to increase the zoom level of the document window. You must opt for interface designs that will appeal to all types of users. It is also important to avoid using videos, animations portals, and tab control to make the solution work faster. While using the FileMaker solution, designers can be prompted for the next action through custom dialogs. The dialogs can also be used to give error alerts.

Each updated version of FileMaker comes with enhanced capabilities and new features. Each developer needs to implement these best practices by keeping in mind the features provided by the most recent version of the cross-platform relational database application.

You can hire filemaker certified developers from top filemaker development companies in India who can help you for your requirements within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide filemaker development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our filemaker certified developers, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solution.

Best ways to wireframe iPhone apps

User demands as well as requirements have to be deeply considered when developing mobile applications or iPhone apps. Apple has a high standard set for its apps and as such a lot of thought along with planning has to be invested to ensure the success of the apps. To make the design process successful, the app building must be properly planned as well as wireframed. Proper wireframing helps save money regarding development as well as design, build functionality along with structure, gather effectively invaluable early feedback and expand basic initial ideas. Given below are some ideas that will help you in this process. However, the very first thing that needs to be done here is downloading the iPhone Wireframe UI Kit which is available in dark blue, beige and blueprint varieties.

Focusing on user experience- Make the wireframe as bare as you possibly can since it is the user experience that should be judged, instead of the look. If you are confident then use real grids and dimensions. Try to determine realistically the amount of content that can be fitted in a single screen as that makes or even breaks the concept. If there is time constraint, then it is best to be as close to the actual product as possible. High fidelity mockups can have a huge influence on other decisions like content fitness, navigation complexity, overall value, usability, etc.

App views planning- Any design may have various kinds of views. Content, photo gallery, table listing, numerical dial pad, etc may be included in the app. While designing, think what will be needed; it may be a good idea to actually make a list of the things which must be included in it. Start from root view, or in other words, the very first view that is seen by users after they have downloaded the application. Remember that the list of views needed by the app should feature only unique interfaces.

Colors- Efficient wireframes generally favor the use of subtle tones like soft blues or gray. Idealistically speaking, the shades should be consistent as well as neutral so that the strong colors do not distract and the structure is the main point of focus. Determining the varying use of colors may be difficult, so use it at your own discretion, and at your own risk. Create a color structure and according to that change or alter the hues so that they suit your taste.

User interface- There is no need of interactivity for creation of good iPhone app but majority of them include that. So plan out how to provide it. The very few elements needed are keyboard and popup modal messages. Plan about the different kinds of submit buttons as well as e-mail fields, password, username. Use appropriate labels as well to explain users the kind of information to be inlcuded. The design often includes icons; you can choose standard icons for representation of key actions. Also you should have a clear idea about the actual dimensions for the buttons.

Fonts- The kind of font to be used is also a decision to be taken. Generally Helvetica Neue is used on iOS. In fact, by default it is available on Mac. Android users can use Roboto as well. The typography is not a section for you to worry about; Blokk font may be used with irregular blocks representing text. To stop it from looking strange, the perfect line-height and font size must be set.

Some of the tools which may help you in this endeavor are Wireframe.CC, Fluid UI, Balsamiq, HotGloo, MockApp, Proto.IO and Framer. All of these help you out, making the wireframe designing an incredible as well as fulfilling process. It also makes the entire process simple. You get a chance to realize how the creation will actually look and feel but without any restrictions related to finer-detail elements, paving the way for an easy development cycle, by understanding the required elements for good programming.

You can hire developers from top iPhone apps development company who can help you build highly engaging and addictive iPhone apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide iPhone applications development services. If you would like to hire iPhone developer from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.

Business Value and SharePoint

Most organizations adopt new technology platforms only after evaluating their business value. Many reports have highlighted how an organization can avail several benefits by creating a well-designed intranet solution using SharePoint 2013. But the design and implementation of the intranet solution need to be customized according to the organization’s specific business needs and objectives. At the same time, the business as well as technology departments must understand the full capabilities of the web application development platform from Microsoft to get higher ROI by optimizing content and document management through a customized intranet solution.

Driving Business Value with SharePoint 2013

Create Intranets Accessible on Several Devices

The modern professionals use a variety of devices to access their corporate resources. In addition to desktops and laptops, users also access the document on smartphones and tablets. So the intranet must be scalable enough to allow employees to access documents on devices of their choice. SharePoint 2013 allows organizations to create customized and scalable intranets that allow their employees to access the information on any device. Further, the platform is compatible with major operating systems and web browsers.

Bring the Distributed Teams Together
Nowadays, most professional service organizations work with remote teams. An organization can easily curtail overheads by working with teams located in different regions. But it must facilitate quick and interrupted communication between the members of the in-house and distributed team to carry out the business process without any hassle. SharePoint is widely used by enterprises to create secure and effective intranet solutions that can be accessed simultaneously by multiple users. The intranet will further acts as a central location where employees can access the required documents and information anytime and anywhere.

Share Internal Documents Securely with Various Stakeholders
Each enterprise also has to share internal documents with various stakeholders to facilitate the decision making process. Each stakeholder in a project must access the internal document immediately to facilitate key activities like project planning, resource sharing, documentation, collaboration and approvals sign off. The custom SharePoint solution provides a secure environment to modern businesses to share a variety of content with various stakeholders. In addition to members of a remote team, the solution can also be used by partners or clients to access the required information. The solution further help users in avoiding the complexity associated with document sharing.

Easy to Find the Required Information
Along with being secure, the SharePoint solution further makes it easier for the stakeholders to find the required information immediately. Microsoft has updated the web application development framework with both Bing and fast capabilities. These features enable end users to quickly find a specific document, along with reviewing the search results while initiating or after the search.

Realign Business Processes
The complex projects often require organizations to restructure and realign their business process. While realigning business processes, the strategy must be communicated to different departments in a detailed and unambiguous way. For instance, the details of a sales deal must be clearly conveyed to the sales, finance and project management departments. The native SharePoint applications make it easier for enterprises to realign key business processes. Each time a department initiates in change, it can submit the information into the system on a daily basis. The solution will further inform other stakeholders about the updates and changes by sending notifications. Thus, business process realignment can be done smoothly without affecting the core activities of an organization.

Microsoft has further released SharePoint 2013 with a set of new features to deliver enhanced business value. The business and technology departments of an organization must avail these capabilities to create customized and scalable technology solution that complements their needs and objectives.

You can hire developers from India's top companies in sharepoint who can help you build your projects within allocated budget and time schedules.

We provide sharepoint custom solutions development services. If you would like to know more about the experience of our sharepoint site branding experts, please get in touch with Mindfire Solutions.

Best Practices for Ruby on Rails Applications

Developers across the world rely on Ruby on Rails to build robust and high quality web applications within a shorter timeframe. In addition to being highly flexible and compatibility with multiple platforms, the web application development framework further makes it easier for developers to adopt agile development and avoid repetitive coding. However, the developers also need to understand and implement a number of best practices for Ruby on Rails applications write and maintain their code in a cleaner and efficient way.

Widely Used Coding Best Practices for Ruby on Rails Development

1) Bundle Your Code into Plugins and Gems
The web application framework allows developers to access a variety of rubygems. So the developer can always use the rubygems developed by others to solve relatively general problems. You can always consider reusing the existing code by extracting it into a plugin or gem. Also, the gem or plugin can be used more widely. You can further simplify the application design by extracting code from it. Similarly, you can consider using existing gems and plugins to avoid writing lengthy code.

2) Shift Logic Code from Controllers to Model
You can always optimize your coding by having most of the logic code on the models. It is also a good idea to move the logic code from controllers to model. The coding can be further optimized by keeping the controllers clean as these controllers remain loaded constantly. On the other hand, the models are loaded only based on requirements. So your application will use less memory when the logic code is moved from controllers to model.

3) Use Scope Access
The availability of an object can be easily determined by using scope access. Instead of using Finders, you can use scope access to gather the information directly from the object. Also, the coding can be modified to use Scope access for most of the objects created for the current project. Thus, code access will help you in reducing the number of calls, and faster execution.

4) Use Local Variables rather than Instance Variables
Ruby on Rails enables developers to access the @variable in views. Many developers even use the element in various parts of the code without evaluating the requirements. You can always optimize the coding by eliminating the instance variables. It is also important to check the instance variables, and convert them into local variables. The local variables can be further transferred smoothly from the view to the partial as part of :locals.

5) Eliminate Empty Helpers
You can always move all the Ruby code to the helpers by creating relevant methods. These methods can be called from the view to effectuate your coding. However, you must remember that additional helpers are created each time you create controllers. Despite being concise, the helpers will be loaded each time the application is launched. So the additional helpers can affect the loading time of the application negatively. You must check these helpers, and remove the helpers without any method to reduce the loading time of your Ruby application.

6) Organize Your Logic through Non-Database-Backed Models
While adopting the MVC approach, each developer has option to use both database-backed and non-database-backed models. Like other MVC development frameworks, Ruby on Rails also allows developers to use both models. However, you can always opt for the non-database-backed model to keep your logic clean and organized. Also, the virtual models can be used to adopt a RESTful controller design that facilitates data access from multiple sources. These practices will make it easier for the controller code to interact with these models.

Each Ruby developer has options to implement many coding best practices and techniques to shorten development cycles. At the same time, he can further create new best practices for Ruby on Rails applications based on his own experience and skills.

You can hire developers from top ruby on rails development India companies who can help you build Ruby applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide rails development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert ruby on rails developers from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Advantages Of Developing An Android Mobile App

Android can be described as an open source platform of development and is considered one of the most important as well as significant operating systems for mobile devices. Of late, there has been an epochal increase in the number of developers who have been working on Android apps. Now, developing android mobile apps has always been associated with a wide array of advantages. This frankly speaking, has prompted a number of young developers to work and develop the latest Android mobile apps. Let us discuss the advantages one by one.

A Low Barrier to Entry

An Android app is associated with low barrier to entry. The interesting part is that none of these apps is associated with any expensive license fee or any kind of development tool(s). Besides, it is also possible to develop these applications in hardly any time. This significantly reduces the cost involved. However, the primary costs involved can be divided into three categories – development as well as testing expertise, test devices along with royalty fees (in case someone decides to distribute it by using any 3rd party store).

These Apps act as an ideal platform for the companies that are new to mobile

These applications are generally scripted in Java, which is made up of a rich array of libraries. Hence, any developer who has a considerable extent of knowledge regarding Java will be able to install these apps and have them up and running without any hiccup whatsoever. Software developers with considerable amount of knowledge on Java are frequently available. This makes development of android apps pretty easy.

A wide range of distribution mechanisms

Unlike the mobile platforms, these apps can easily be distributed in a number of ways. Besides having the option of using unlimited number of third party application stores, users can also create their very own channels of distribution – for the purpose of vertical market application as well as for developing new app stores.

The platform is open and at the same time free of cost

Another extremely significant advantage of Android mobile app development is that it is open source, and hence does not need any license or royalty, thereby considerably reducing the cost. Besides, as the inherent architecture that Android SDK comes up with is an open source one, the users can get familiar with the upcoming releases without any delay. Also, they can effortlessly leave their feedback for the Android designing and development team to stock of, if and when needed. It is this what makes this particular platform so robust as well as convincing, particularly for the manufacturers as well as wireless operators of handsets as it provides better chances to the developers, so far as monetizing is concerned. The platform is also a vertical market application or device that can be perfectly customized as well as optimally integrated. In fact, experts are of the opinion that it is the best option a user can have.

It is the best Inter-application integration mobile platform

As per the experts, it is the best and the most user-friendly mobile platform, when it comes to inter-application or inter-process architectures. It helps those who are looking to have a suit of applications or are looking forward to integrate and cross promote them. Android provides an indisputable edge over other platforms as most of the other platforms would allow various backward processes. However, it would provide a perfect platform that will foster trust as well as relationship between various applications to offer the users a superior experience that is well-knit and well organized.

Android Software Development Kit (SDK) offers a perfect platform for an individual Android Code developer. The process of integration of the device-specific native SDK platform and a commercial development solution helps the users to attain optimal efficiency and yield the highest quality of results.

This SDK platform, which is available from Google free of cost, especially the Java APIs, provide the application developers a wide variety of highly useful materials that include extensive documentation, samples, tutorials, the best guidance for practice, an all-inclusive range of tools that come in handy for a wide variety of development purposes.

You can hire developers from top custom android development company in India who can help you build mobile apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide android application development services. If you would like to hire android app programmers from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

What Can You Expect More From Wordpress In Future

The development process of WordPress has come a long way, with the incorporation of a number of value added features of various dimensions as well as approach in its version 3.7. Again with time, all these value added features have broken up, making way for separate plugins. These plugins have operated individually till they were once again integrated into core.

With a constant transformation under way, WordPress in the future is likely to come up with a wide variety of features and there is enough scope of speculation regarding what types of features will be incorporated in the coming versions of WordPress. In fact, experts are of the opinion that the upcoming versions are likely to be different from the previous versions in terms of usability, along with forms.

A Revamped Dashboard

The future version is likely to come up with a plugin that will make the dashboard look sleeker as well as more robust. While one of the most significant issues that has plagued the WP dashboard till now is that they come up with a number of widget ready spaces. This forces the users to drag the widgets underneath the fold. Plugin of the new version will solve this issue as it will help the users to ditch this typical drop and drag facility and take the help of a user-friendly selection menu along with a button. This will understandably make dealing with the widgets much easier when it comes to managing them on various mobile devices, especially for those which are not custom built for the typical drag and drop option.

Redesigning the Theme Section

The THX38 plugin that the new versions are expected to come up with, is perfectly designed to revamp or rejuvenate the appearance of the theme section of the Dashboard of the WordPress. The objective of this plugin is to replace the traditional text-heavy pages of the WordPress with something that will be visually more appealing. This new plugin also puts more emphasis on the Theme Customizer. Besides, when it comes to themes that support it, the customiser plays the role of the main interface. In the further future versions, the Customizer is expected to become the unifying page for “theme options” that will be applicable for any theme.

A Universal Admin Search

The new OmniSearch plugin is designed to remove all the different search systems within the WP dashboard. As things stand now, for searching comments, the user at first will have to navigate through the comments tab. The same thing will have to be done for the posts, media as well as pages. The Omnisearch plugin collaborates all these results and offers the users the option of searching for all of them simultaneously.

New Look Structure of Dashboard

Then there is the WPDash plugin that is perfectly designed to remove the clutter and consolidate the information for creating a greetings page that is not only more streamlined, but is less bloated as well, especially when it comes to logging into the WP Dashboard. The plugin also makes the first page widgets, responsive and make the overview of the website more approachable, customer-friendly as well as cleaner.

Superior Search Functionality

As things stand now, the functionality of the standard WP search procedure asks for a considerable extent of improvement. Particularly, when we are speaking about storing an increased volume of content as well as information. At present the user needs to search in the following order – tags, followed by categories, then custom fields, and finally shortcodes. This is expected to change and there will be an advanced option by the virtue of which the user will be able to search for definite phrases, along with quotes, tags, custom fields, search comments, shortcodes. They will be designed in such a way that the user will look for information by relevance instead of date, matched partial words, and so on.

They are expected to come up with an improved search result page, with the search items highlighted and made bold to catch easy attention. The search results will return detailed information – instead of just excerpts or a paragraph or two.

WordPress is a fantastic platform, that facilitates free as well as open source blogging along with a CMS that is based on MySQL and PHP. With more value added and advanced plugins being added, it is likely to become more attractive and user friendly in the coming days.

You can hire developers from top wordpress application development companies in India who can help you build products within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide wordpress website development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert wordpress developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Tips to keep your PHP code well documented

Right now, PHP can be considered as the most popular language in the world of web development. Some sites like Facebook, Wikipedia, etc as well as some of the biggest open source projects of the world, like Drupal and WordPress, use this language. In this language, there are no fixed rules as such; the content can be almost anything but the actual codes as well as tags are most important. Due to its permissive nature, common mistakes may be made, which may pose problems in the behavior of the program. The key here, is to make the codes clean, easy readable as well as well documented. So, here are some tips which will make sure that the ultimate code turns out to be perfectly documented and functional.

Naming of classes, functions along with variables- The code pieces can be named in whichever way you want. This factor should be used to your full advantage so that the code is kept understandable. Always make sure that clear names are chosen instead of making up strange abbreviations or using names which may be ambiguous. There is no need for you to be scared of making typos when using longer names; as it is you will be warned by your IDE about inconsistencies like unused variables in the code. Proper naming will surely help you figure out whatever goes on in the code.

Method visibility- Method visibility is another concept worth noting. If you want to write an object-oriented code that is high in quality then the class methods should be assigned with proper visibility. This helps show the code representing the part of logic which should be inside the class; this must not be exposed to the other classes that are there in application. It also exposes some class methods for public access, which helps us call from outside the specific class, so that communication with other application parts may be maintained. Codes including properly-set method visibility, aid other developers to quickly find out the working method of the class developed by you. Anybody will be able to figure out the few public methods that can be referred to in the code. The logic that private class methods handle and which should not be touched, is also noticed easily. Again, your IDE interprets such hints. The editor used by you, in all probability, will be able to show you class methods enlisted as well as their visibility.

Type hinting- Interface/ class names or callable/ array keywords may be put next to function parameter. This restricts the making of wrong function call. However, anyone who reads the code will be able to use it as important information. The function body does not have to be examined to know about calling of the function.

Importance of comments- If a complex script is developed but there are no comments, an error might come up when someone wants to reuse it some time after. In this case, it will take a huge amount of time to fix the problem since just trying to understand the code it will turn out to be a time-consuming task. Here comments can help since they are not only extended but almost all developers understand them. All docs can be seen at conclusion but there will be some specific special parameters that will start with @. During this format, a tool may be used so that the documentation may be exported as a html, pdf or another file even from IDE that is been currently used. Comments act as additional explanation which helps people know whatever is going on.

Over-commenting the code- The code should be properly documented through comments in the scripts but there is no need for commenting in each single line. The source code's complicated parts should have comments so that they may be revisited later to remember everything but the simple things like MySQL connection should not have comments. Most times, good codes are self-explanatory.

Apart from these tips, inserting custom text in doc block will also help by serving as function or class documentation. This will be a good option, if documentation for the project has to be made available from outside the code. So, be patient and incorporate these tips which will help you become better developer with time.

You can hire developers from top custom php development companies in India who can help you build products within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide php web development services. If you would like hire php developers from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Filemaker – Expanding Reach With HTML5 Solution Builder

The FileMaker Platform comes up with a number of user-friendly ways that help the users in providing various solutions. The list of added advantages that it offers, starts with Excel Data. The users can drag as well as drop the data in the FileMaker solution. Users can also view the Getting Started tours that are available in the FileMaker Pro along with FileMaker Go. This will provide an extensive overview of the way the products operate. FM also comes up with various highly useful tools that include Resource Center as well as a range of inbuilt Starter solutions for quickly creating different customized solutions that can satisfy the specific business needs of the clients.

Users can drag and drop the excel Spreadsheets for importing data from the Excel into FileMaker Pro instantaneously from Quick Start Screen. They can even save the data back into a typical Excel Sheet and send it via email to others in hardly any time.

Besides, users can import various data types as well and they include Tab, CSV, or XML and merge them into a definite database. In fact, there are as many as 16 Starter Solutions which are ready-to-use and come up with FileMaker Pro by default, for giving the solution an utterly professional look.

Contracts, assets, CMS along with Invoices Starter Solutions provide a fresh as well as innovative look, especially in the version 13 of FM. Features also include scanning bar codes, propovers, as well as slide controls.

The previous version of FM – version 12 emphasized more on iOS clients. However, the new version 13 comes up with an advanced database solution builder that has expanded its reach with the help of FileMaker WebDirect. It is a database tool that helps the users in creating customized HTML 5, along with a wide variety of browser-based solutions.

The earlier versions helped the web service providers offer various web based solutions with the use of PHP tools, that were specifically designed to help dealing with various data, viewing and using them for a wide range of purpose. All said and done, these were not rich as well as bi-directional solutions. This has changed with the introduction of the FileMaker WebDirect.

Introduction of FM WebDirect now helps users to collate each and every customer requirement. Besides, it also ensures browser accessibility. The users, especially those who work on laptops, can drag any image into a particular field. This image can subsequently be pushed or forwarded to all the users.

This has minimized the need of knowledge about PHP or JavaScript. Also, it has minimized the need of knowledge about writing CSS style sheet. In fact, the entire stuff is based on browser technology with no plug-ins as well as add-ons. The entire thing will operate in the definite browser.

Initially, the version 13 of Filemaker is designed to support the desktop browsers, and this support later on will include mobility solutions of open FileMaker on non-Apple Tablets as well as phones. There are plans to extend the support to all varieties of devices that are used by the users.

The newly developed iOS version of FileMaker comes up with upgraded as well as increased support for more number of iOS behaviors. These behaviours include popovers, gesture navigation, as well as slide controls. It can also understand and measure rotation and can adjust the layout for various aspects automatically. The database record takes the help of a special type of keypad that is specifically designed for entry of telephone numbers.

Besides, users can also use iPad for scanning the bar codes and snap photos that they can later on include in the records. FileMaker also supports a huge variety of virtual keyboards, which is one of the most attractive features.

Let us now in short discuss the value added features:

Redesigned Layout and Report Assistant
It creates various layouts as well as reports that are specifically optimized for iPads as well as iPhones. It comes up with predefined dimensions of screen, views, along with themes that make it easier when it comes to designing different types of iOS devices.

Popovers
This creates iOS-stylized popovers on devices like iPad, iPhone as well as desktop to collate fields, and links, along with other types of information, without the need of moving to any other windows or dimensions.

Slide control
It creates multiple-panel slide controls for managing images as well as other types of data in separate slide panels within the same layout. It also helps users to swipe for navigating between various panels on the FileMaker Go and click for moving between different panels in the FileMaker Pro.

New sets of iOS keyboards
It helps the users to choose one out of seven new keyboards for matching the type of data that one would like to collect. The new keyboard types include phone numbers, URL, email, and a lot more.

Bar code scanner
It helps the users to automatically scan bar codes with the help of iPads as well as iPhones with FileMaker Go. Users do not need to install plug-ins. They can access the scanned data from their laptops as well.

You can hire developers from top filemaker database development companies in India who can help you for your requirements within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide filemaker development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our filemaker certified developers, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solution.

Web Components for Web Development - Is It Known or Still Foreign to Most?

Developers frequently explore options to optimize the internet application’s look, feel and performance. The innovative technologies like web components make these easier for them to add a higher level of interactivity and visual richness to the websites and recyclable widgets by using multiple components. Thus, the term web content can be defined as a collection of components used widely for website development including images, bitmap, JavaScript or PHP.

In addition to allowing developers to bundle styles and markups into custom HTML elements, the web components further facilitate encapsulation of HTML and CSS to avail enhanced code security. So the web components are used widely by modern internet developers to build websites and recyclable widgets with the help of HTML, JavaScript and CSS. If you are not familiar with web components, it is a good idea to understand some of these commonly used web components.

Five Essential Elements of the Web Components

1) Templates
Similar to other software development projects, website development also needs a solid blueprint. The web components provide the blueprint for a project through the tag. The tag enables programmers to store specific markup on the page that can be reused and cloned subsequently. The developers familiar with handlebars, moustaches and similar libraries can understand and use the tag immediately. As the markup inside a template are not recognized by web browsers, it becomes easier to include non-executable tags for images, videos and audio having external sources.

2) Decorators
Unlike other web components, decorators are yet to have a specification. The decorator components can, however, be used in a number of ways. Normally, decorators complement the rich visual and behavioral changes by applying templates. In addition to overriding and enhancing the way existing elements are presented, the programmers also have option to use CSS to customize the decorators. Thus, each user can define his own decorator simply by using a markup and a scripting language.

3) Custom Elements
The custom elements can be defined as advanced DOM elements that can be defined by programmers. However, the custom elements, unlike decorators, are both ephemeral and stateless. So the programmers can use custom elements to encapsulate state, along with providing script interfaces. However, each author must understand some of the important differences between custom elements and decorators. A custom element can be defined through the < element > tag.

4) Shadow DOM
Most web developers use iframes to ensure that the user experience is not affected negatively due to HTML and CSS. Despite being useful, iframes cannot be used for building complex and large internet applications. As an innovative web component, Shadow DOM enables programmers to avail the features and advantages of iframes including style and markup encapsulation. The developers can further use Shadow DOM to strictly control the interaction between content and styles. The programmers can crate Shadow DOM simply by selecting an element, and then invoking its createShadowRoot method. The action will return a document fragment that can be filled with desired content.

5) Imports
Both custom elements and decorators can also be loaded from external sources. The < link > tag is used to define if the custom element or decorator will be loaded from external sources, along with the URL of the external file. The user agent can further interpret the decorators and custom elements. But the import property of the < link > tag will help the scrip in accessing the DOM. Further, programmers are required to use the CORs attribute to describe if the definitions are designed to run across multiple websites and internet applications.

The programmers can use web components to easily optimize the application’s look, feel, performance and security. The JavaScript component will help them in improving the website’s appearance, whereas other components will enable the application to interact with server smoothly. At the same time, the programmers can use plug in components to provide comprehensive security to the application by blocking unwanted traffic.

You can hire developers from top software development company India who can help you for your requirements within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide custom software development services from India. If you would like to hire offshore developers from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solution.

UDK for iOS - Is this the future of iPhone app development?

Developers often find it a daunting challenge to rapidly build iPhone apps that meet the choices and expectations of users. They also look for advanced and innovative tools to build the applications on time and on schedule. Nowadays, Unreal Development Kit (UDK) is used widely by iOS developers across the world to build a huge variety of custom 3D games and applications.

The kit further uses a powerful object oriented language along with the UnrealScript programming language. Along with facilitating code development in UDK, these programming languages further offer special features required for building iPhone apps and games. Despite providing the features of Unreal Engine 3, UDK is still available as a free download for noncommercial usage.

What Makes UDK for iOS Essential for iPhone App Development?

Complements Development of a Huge Variety of Apps and Games
The nature and requirements of individual iPhone app varies. Many enterprises, nowadays, prefer building custom 3D applications and games to get higher ROI. The Unreal Development Kit provides the tools required to develop complex iOS applications. A user can simply have a look at the apps and games already developed using UDK to decide what makes it the perfect solution to build complex and robust applications for Apple devices.

Options to Create Executable for iOS and Windows PC
Most developers use Mac hardware to create the perfect environment to create iPhone apps. The UDK allows them to build the applications without investing the Mac hardware. However, Mac hardware is required to submit the applications to the Apple App Store. Also, the UDK development environment runs seamlessly on Windows PC. So the developers can use the kit to create executable for both iOS and Windows PC. The feature further contributes towards creating the development environment without investing in new hardware and tools.

Comes with Features of Unreal Engine 3
The UDK is the free version of Unreal Engine 3. So it supports all features of Unreal Engine 3. Epic has designed the innovative game engine technology to complement the development of next generation of mobile applications and games. In addition to operating across ten platforms, Unreal Engine 3 also comes with a set of advanced content creation tools and core technologies. The programmers can use these tools and technologies to create the environment and infrastructure build high quality iPhone apps and games.

Supports Multiple Apple Devices
Along with iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, the tools provided by UDK can also be used to create applications for iPad and the 3rd and 4th generation of iPod touch. However, a developer must install iOS 3.2 or later to run Unreal Engine 3 smoothly. Also, the kit is not compatible with the older versions of iOS. So the programmers must upgrade to the latest version of iOS to build robust apps by targeting multiple Apple devices.

Free for Noncommercial Use
As noted earlier, the Unreal Development Kit is the free version of the Unreal Engine 3. Thus, developers can use UDK for noncommercial purposes without paying any charges. The features make UDK just like any other open source mobile application development framework. Epic further updates the UDK at frequent intervals to complement the latest trends in mobile application development. At the same time, the developers also have option to get a Commercial UDK License to build commercial applications for iPhone. Also, a single commercial license allows developers to build several commercial apps and games using the UDK.

In February 2014, UDK 2014-02 - version 12097 was released with a set of additional features and functionality. These features will make it easier for developers to build robust iPhone apps without writing lengthy and complex code. Also, the updated version of UDK will help them in meeting the ongoing trends in iOS application development.

You can hire developers from top iPhone development company who can help you build highly engaging and addictive iPhone apps within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide iPhone app development services. If you would like to hire iPhone developer from us, we would be glad to assist you at Mindfire Solutions.

Testing web applications with Selenium- Some major problems

The open source software known as Selenium is used as one of the tools for automation testing of web applications. It certainly provides the testers with a good option for their purpose but one thing that discourages a lot of people when they want to use this is the fact that selenium has quite a number of problems. Often, handling this may be a challenging experience due to multiple problems that may arise, making creation of functional tests an extremely difficult process. In fact, most people complain that the tests can be flaky, sometimes working and sometimes not working. However, the problems should not deter you from using the tool as the advantages are too many to ignore. It is not really unstable or flaky but the main challenge which must be solved to tackle the problem is information. Most of the problems can be sorted out with proper knowledge. Here are some of the problems along with their solutions.

Flaky external services- Relying on such services often lead to failure of all tests. This happens especially when you use production backends or rely on infrastructure that is outside the control of your team. The best way to solve this is not to rely on such services which cannot be controlled by your team. You can start in-process servers by the use of something such as webrick in Ruby or Jetty in Java world. The external services can be spotted by watching the running of tests which will show the actual problem underlying. The flakiness can also be minimized through performing of health check before you run tests. Check if all relying services are running properly or not.

Poor test isolation- This may happen and you may see that the tests are working fine when they are being run alone but during build they fail randomly. To solve this, resources should be isolated as much as possible. Data should be set up within tests so that you do not have to rely on the 'set up datastores' step in the build. Try to set up database for each developer or use something such as SQLite or Hypersonic as an in-memory, light-weight and private database. If users are required to log-in for the applications then several user accounts should be created which are reserved just for the tests; provide a locking mechanism as well so that you can ensure that just a single test is carried out with the use of a specific user account.

Identifying elements- Another very common problem in this is the way of identifying XML/HTML elements that must be observed as well as manipulated. While designing, the application should be made for easy identifying of elements through adding of 'id' which is well-named and attributes to unique elements; along with class attributes that are well-named for repeated structures such as tables or lists. By virtue of attributes you can refer directly to the interested elements easily. You can also start simplifying the locators by creating locators that rely on the essential parts.

Problems in timeouts- This is a very common problem. There are times when the timeout is not long enough, thus the tests fail under load. For that, the best thing that you should do is not use timeouts at all. When using, they should be used by generous setting or using them together with notification from the UI being tested.

During problems with selenium testing, it is best to do some research as well as analysis to find out the main cause so that you can understand the reason for such behavior. Most often the problem is minor and can be solved through the proper resources. No matter what the problem, these days there are plenty of resources to take advantage of. There are several videos, blogs, documentations, user groups, chat rooms, conferences, forums, books, etc which can aid you so that you can use the tool successfully.

You can hire testers from top custom selenium testing company in India who can help you accomplish testing with the selenium tools within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide selenium automation testing services. If you would like to discuss with an expert selenium tester from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Top 3 Ruby On Rails Based CMS For Commercial Use

Ruby on Rails, which is at times simply referred to as Rails, is actually an open source WAF or Web Application Framework, that runs through Ruby – a premium programming language. Rail is a full-stack framework, that facilitates creation of pages as well as applications that collate information from web servers, query databases, and most importantly, create innovative, creative templates. The framework comes up with a unique routing system that does not depend upon the functionality of the server.

CMS, frankly speaking is one of the most adorable computer systems, that helps in seamless publication, editing, as well as modification of contents from a particular central interface. CMS is highly user-friendly. Besides, it also allows the end users in seamless management of contents. PHP based Content Management Systems like Joomla, Drupal, WorkPress are playing pivotal roles at present in the web world.

Ruby on Rail has also impacted the world of CMS or Content Management System in a great way as well. The CM System based Rails are getting more and more popular, as these tools are extremely durable as well as robust, with a wide range of functionality in the world of Content Management System.

Let us deal with three most popular Ruby On Rails based CMS, that are specifically designed for commercial use.

Refinery CMS

Top in the list of Rail based CMS, is the Refinery CMS. Truly, it is the most popular CMS that is based on version 3.2 of ROR. It is free of cost and is an open source software. That means, it can be downloaded for free and the users do not need any license for downloading.

It helps the users to have a complete control over designing, making the layout, and JavaScript through core extensions. This CMS architecture helps the user with an array of highly advanced as well as state of the art tools that help the users to add or change the functionality or getup of the front-end in a perfect and effortless way.

By default, this particular Rail based CM System comes with a wide array of views to the site front-end. It also gives the users the option of customizing designs as well as layouts with the simple process of overriding. The architecture of Refinery CMS offers a string of extremely easy ways when it comes to adding extensions for managing a variety of sections in a website.

This particular CMS is highly easy to install and the users can start posting in hardly any time. This user interface is extremely attractive as well as bright and catchy. It can easily attract the attention of the users.

Browser CMS

It is based on ROR version 3.2 framework and is the second best in terms of popularity. This ROR Content Management System offers a string of features that can only be detected in the commercial Content Management System. This ROR based Content Management System comes up with an architecture that provides a free hand to the users in terms of designing pages. The UI is extremely user-friendly, so much so that even someone who is technically not that sound, can manage it without any difficulty whatsoever.

The CM System comes up with a string of developer-friendly features that include templates that contain more than one editable area along with a standard CRUD interface for managing different types of contents as well as core modules. The section based safety or security feature in the Browser CMS would allow 2 secured access levels – CMS users and the public users.

The Browser CM System would support the functionality of page caching, that would decrease the load on the server. The Direct in Context Editing feature will allow the users to browse contents and make modifications to the pages.

Locomotive CMS

This is the third most popular ROR based commercial CM System. It comes up with Wagon, which is an extremely powerful command line tool, that helps to develop the site in a seamless way. This system offers a wide range of developer-friendly attributes like in-line editing, perfect multi-site management, Liquid templates along with customized content types.

It also helps in effortless multi-site handling and all the user needs to do is to point the name of the domain to the server of the Locomotive CM System. Copying files or setting up new database is not needed. The UI of this system is extremely user-friendly. It also gives the liberty of adding as well as editing the contents without even interfering into the design or the getup of the site.

You can hire developers from top ruby on rails development company in India who can help you build Ruby applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide rails development services. If you would like to hire ruby on rails developers from our team, please get in touch with us.

Automated Testing with Selenium and Cucumber

The choice of web browser varies from one user to another. So an internet application must be accessible on several web browsers to become popular. As a key part of the development lifecycle, programmers have tone ensure that the app will work flawlessly across a set of widely used web browsers. The cross-browser compatibility of an internet application can be checked through extensive regression testing. But regression testing requires additional time and resources.

Therefore, organizations prefer using effective test automation tools like Selenium and Cucumber to avoid expensive and time-consuming regression tests. The tools enable developers to create several fully automated test suites that will run against a set of web browsers. Also, they have option to run the automated test suits as part of the build pipeline or schedules build process. Regardless of the approach, the tools are effective in detecting bugs quickly and along with providing rapid feedback.

Web Application Testing with Cucumber
As a widely used test automation tool Cucumber facilitates behavior driven development. The developers can use Cucumber to describe the expected behavior of the internet application in plain text. Despite being written in Ruby, the tool supports several programming languages including Java, Ruby, C#.NET, Python and FLEX. So it becomes easier for developers to test applications written using any of these supported programming languages.

The entire Cucumber testing process can be divided into six broad steps. But the programmers are not required to write any code while fixing a bug in, or adding a new feature to the application. They can simply describe the expected behavior in plain text. When the feature or bug is tested through Cucumber, the tool will highlight the successes and failures. Based on the failures, programmers can write code to fix the bugs. As Cucumber requires test cases to be written in advance, it helps managers and business analysts to verify if the key requirements are met.

Web Application Testing with Selenium
Selenium provides developers with a set of tools required for testing different aspects of an internet application. The tool is further used widely by developers for browser testing automation. So Selenium is effective in evaluating the performance and behavior of an application across a set of supported web browsers. Selenium also comes with a suite of tools that run seamlessly across widely used operating systems and web browsers. The testers can further control these tools through a number of frameworks and programming languages.

Along with web browser automation, Selenium can also be used to web-based administration tasks. As the tool supports most web browsers, it becomes easier for developers to include the tool as part of the browser’s native components. An organization also has option to choose Selenium IDE, Selenium WebDriver or Selenium Remote Control according to the nature and requirements of each web application development project.

The IDE can be used as a simple Firefox add-on to perform simple record and playback with the web browser. In addition to creating bug reproduction scripts rapidly, the IDE also creates script for automation-aided exploratory testing. On the other hand, the Selenium WebDriver and Selenium Remote Control are used to optimize browser-based regression automation. These suites further help developers in distributing and scaling test scripts across different environments.

A constant increase is noted in the number of organization adopting behavior based development approach. The agile methodology further helps developers in rapidly test how an internet application works across multiple browsers. Both Cucumber and Selenium must be used together to effectively check the application’s cross-browser compatibility. These tools must be used together for automated behavior driven development testing to curtail the overall development cost and time.

You can hire testers from top selenium web testing companies in India who can help you accomplish testing with the selenium tools within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide selenium automation testing services. If you would like to discuss with certified selenium testers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Moving from Python 2.7 to 3- Some pros & cons

It has been quite some time that Python 3 has been introduced in the software community, but due to some technical glitches, it was not widely accepted. Earlier, it did not have the basic Python libraries like SciPy and NumPy but now they have been imported. In fact, it is an incremental release and that is why the casual programmers may not have many new features to use. But it has now ironed out the glitches as well as quirks which were there in the earlier versions, making the syntax consistent. So before moving to version 3, here are some pros and cons to know about.

Pros

Using compatible syntax- There are many common features between versions 2.7 and 3 due to backporting which essentially allows you to use them in the old scripts, subsequently making the transition very easy. Like % operator that works in version 3; only the format method is different, and that gives increased flexibility.

Unicode support- The version’s text model has been revised which makes the primary string type totally Unicode-capable. Thus the models used in Unicode-capable Windows APIs, JVM, .NET CLR, etc. and Python 3 are brought closer. Its interpreter core is more tolerant to paths containing Unicode characters, which leads to less chances of problems when running scripts on Windows from home directory if, for example, the user name has non-ASCII characters. In fact, the support is more deeply embedded in the language itself. Since a huge variety of Unicode characters are now allowed, developers can use other languages, apart from English when naming; they do not have to use names which suit the fixed character set.

Set literals- Sets in the version have new literal syntax. {1, 2, 3} can be written instead of the set([1, 2, 3)]; the former is quite clean. In fact, both work perfectly, but using the new one gives less problems.

Abstract base classes- Support to make abstract base classes is contained by abc module; in it a property or method may be marked as “abstract” on base classes and implemented in subclasses. This is for definition of interfaces with the creation of classes which has no concrete method(s). One example of the concept is the mathematical class hierarchy.

Cons

Using ported libraries- The pure libraries may be converted semi-automatically to Python 3 but those depending on C extensions are really hard to port. Many libraries have been already ported, but there are some which have not been ported yet. However, this may not be of much problem if the project is small.However, in case of large scale projects this might pose a problem.

Differences in builtin functions- All functions of the previous version are not compatible or rather related to the Python 3 counterparts. Like when you use filter function, an iterator is returned in version 3 but the previous versions return a list. The same is applicable for .keys method.

Filesystem access- It is assumed by the software that all the filesystems have encoding, but then as a matter of fact, there is no encoding in many Linux systems as well as OS X. In fact, different rules for Unicode normalization are applied for filesystem on OS X than for applications. So the filename has to be normalized manually to separate encoding when filenames have to be compared in file system.

Beginners in the world of programming can benefit if they learn Python 3, especially if they do not know C. All in all, there is no huge difference between the implementation of Python 2.7 and 3. In fact, the usage of version 3 seems to be a complicated procedure for many, especially if the project is a big one and there is less time for unit testing. When unit testing is conducted the ultimate code turns out to be well tested as well as reproducable. Porting to Python 3 will yield in plenty of minor and innocent changes, but this will make it more dangerous, making it necessary to test particular and individual functions in the scripts. This will ultimately lead to profit in the long run, but you will have to waste some of your precious time which could have been devoted in bettering the application and other such things.

You can hire programmers from top custom python development company who can help you build products within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide python development services. If you would like to hire python developers from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Avail Maximum Benefits Through Open Source PHP CMS Development

If you are looking for flexibility, speed, robustness, customization, developer and customer friendliness, Open Source PHP Content Management System is the best answer. It is one of the most powerful web based content management systems as well as frameworks, that runs under PHP along with MySQL. In fact, PHP CMS is used on thousands of web sites all around the world.

Now what makes Open Source PHP CMS such an adorable tool for designing and preparing websites? Let us look into some of the benefits that the Open Source PHP Content Management System comes up with.

The cost involved is excessively low

The users will be able to obtain the source codes absolutely free of cost. Besides, the technical support that is provided along with the system is, in most of the occasions, far cheaper than the commercial CMS that is available in the market, making the cost involved exceedingly low.

Optimal Flexibility along with features that can easily be customized

The codes are readily available and this easy accessibility of the codes denotes the fact, that this particular system is adaptable to the fullest extent, so much so that it can fit into the needs as well as requirements of any type of business, irrespective of the niche or the domain.

Technical Support

Various types of technical solutions to the CMS problems can be availed through a community or section of web developers, who are expert as well as experienced enough to provide advice along with in- depth technical support on any type of issue(s).

Open Platform

The system comes up with an open source platform mechanism, that is specifically designed to use any type of open source (OS) programming language like Python, PHP, Java and so on. All the popular and time-tested software platforms come up with an array of support as well as information, which can easily be accessed by the developers as well as the content editors.

Excellent Ability of Sharing Resources

Open source PHP CMS also comes up with the ability to share various resources between different business organizations including the public sector units. The advantage of this is that, in subsequent times, this helps a lot when it comes to saving time, reducing the costs involved and last but not the least, giving productivity a shot in its arm.

Integration

The system comes up with a unique ability to extend as well as personalize or customize the OS CMS. This indicates that the user can integrate the system with other software systems, including XML.

Trial Evaluation

The system can well be downloaded for evaluation before it is implemented. This particular qualification provides the developer amplest opportunity of testing the system and comparing it with other systems from the qualitative point of view, before taking any final decision. It also comes up with the community support option where users and people can leave comments and feedbacks that come in very handy so far as perfecting the system is concerned.

Instant Resolution of Errors

These systems, by the virtue of their type or category, and nature, are absolutely open to suggestions, feedbacks and opinions that are left by the community of supporters. That is why, if and when there is any issue raised by any community member, effective solutions are provided at the earliest. Open access to the source codes clearly indicates that various issues that crop up quite often can be taken care of and resolved by the developers.

Hence, this can well be mentioned, that OS PHP CMS Development is able to provide a string of advantages to the developers as well as the end users.

You can hire programmers from top php application development India companies who can help you build products within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide php website development services. If you would like to discuss with a certified php developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Own Cutting Edge Web Applications with .Net MVC Development

Despite being based on ASP.NET, ASP.NET MVC framework is open source. The web application development framework is used widely by developers to build robust enterprise apps by coupling three distinct roles, i.e., model, view and controller. The lightweight and highly testable framework can be integrated smoothly with ASP.NET features. Thus, it becomes easier for programmers to create robust and customized web applications at a rapid pace. The MVC model allows developers to design applications with the business, display and input control layers.

The logic part for the application data is handled through the model, whereas the view handles the display part of the application. At the same time, the user interactions are handled through the controller. As these three layers can be separated from each other, it becomes easier for programmers to concentrate on one aspect while building complex enterprise applications. There are also several advantages that make ASP.NET MVC framework the best option to build own cutting edge web applications.

Why ASP.NET MVC Effectuates Cutting Edge Web Application Development

Easy to Manage Complexity
The frequent changes in the choices and preferences of end users have made internet application development complex. But each organization wants to launch the website as early as possible to beat completion. So the programmers find it a daunting challenge to build complex enterprise applications on schedule. The ASP.NET MVC framework makes it easier for developers to manage complexity. As each application can be divided into the model, the view and the controller, they can focus on a specific aspect to effectively manage complexity.

No Need for Server-Based Forms
Many developers even use the framework as an alternative to conventional ASP.NET Web Forms. Along with being highly testable, ASP.NET MVC further allows them to avail ASP.NET features including authentication and security. However, the MVC application does not require view state or server-based forms. So it becomes easier for developer to control the behavior of the application fully and tightly.

A Single Controller to Process Application Requests
The framework further processes the internet application requests through a Front Controller pattern. The pattern allows them to process all requests through a single controller. At the same time, the design of the application can also be optimized by supporting a rich routing infrastructure. The programmers also have option to create a common base class for all page controllers to enhance consistency and testability, while eliminating code duplication.

Better Control on the Behavior of the Application
Nowadays, most organizations build complex enterprise apps in a distributed environment. As the members of a distribute team work from different geographical locations, it becomes difficult for them to control the behavior of the application fully. The ASP.NET MVC framework makes it easier for the project manager to divide complex enterprise applications into the model, the view and the controller. Further, the business, display and input control layers can be separated from each other. So a particular team can focus on a specific aspect of the application, and control its behavior fully.

Facilitates Test-Driven Development
A gradual increase is noted in the number of organizations adopting test-driven development. In addition to validating the correctness of the code, test-driven development further drives the application design. As the test cases are written in advance, the developers have to concentrate on the effect of specific functionality on the end users. As the primary objective of the programmers is to pass the test, they need to focus on a particular task at a time. ASP.NET MVC framework facilitates test-driven development by enabling code-writers to focus on a specific task or aspect of the application at a time.

The programmers can further use Visual Studio 2013 to create a single ASP.NET project by Integrating ASP.NET MVC with Web Pages and Web Forms. The integration enables developers to optimize the look, feel and performance of the internet application by availing features of these three distinct frameworks.

You can hire programmers from top custom .net development company who can help you build dynamic web portals within allocated budget and time schedules.

We provide .net web development services. Please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions if you would like to hire .net developers India.

HTML5 - Growing in dominance in the mobile market

Various devices like PCs, Smartphones and tablets are used to access many kinds of mobile applications. HTML5 is at the center of attention these days, especially among those who want to create apps which will work on a variety of gadgets and all web browsers will support them. When applications are developed in HTML5, then codes are provided across a variety of platforms and you will not have to write the complete application right from the very beginning for each and every platform. This makes HTML the preferred choice for making the entire interface or at least most of it anyway.

A combination of the technology along with CSS3 as well as JavaScript can yield some seriously incredible results. In fact, in case of mobile devices, any modern operating system requires a modern web browser that is HTML5 compliant. The main mobile platforms- Android as well as iOS follows this for their base.

Lightweight apps- For simple apps with simple functionality, this platform may be the best bet. Through this platform, building of apps that do not need any device interrogation, robust native application or performance can be done easily. In fact, this is used as a base for many newspaper apps.

Frequent updating- Often organizations that plan for deployment of apps that require frequent update cycles, become wary of the time that may be required for users to go through the upgrading process in their phones. In this area, HTML5 has a huge advantage as centralized deployment as well as instantly available updates are allowed by the platform.

Cross platform- If an application has to be delivered for a variety of mobile devices, but within a limited budget and time, then this platform is the best way to make it happen. Later on, if the such a need arises, then the web application may be replaced with a native application. In fact, according to surveys and reports, 64% of professionals involved in business technology rates this support very critical and important.

Prototype of Native apps- You may have plans of replacing apps-based native framework subsequently. This can be done with the use of web-based mobile apps as the base, since developing a native one from scratch will prove to be a costly affair. But the designing needs a considerable amount of planning, testing and reviewing, especially if functionality is to be brought to the mobile device by the app; more so, if the users are familiar with the large scale applications of the enterprise. On the other hand, developing a good app with the help of this framework before investing in native development is easier, as deployment and development become faster as well.

Mixing it up or hybrid apps- There is a lot of debate about which platform stands out to be the best for the development of an application- HTML5 or Native. However, recently, most developers have resorted to using the best advantages of both the software packages. People are finding that instead of building an app solely with a single technology, it is best to combine both for the best user interface. This helps the developer to use the best and appropriate tools for a particular feature. There may be downsides to this as the developer must be able to handle both. However, after the challenges are overcome, the application will be able to function across all kinds of web browsers as well as devices; according to predictions made by experts, the future of the mobile apps will depend upon this hybridization.

Whether functioning as framework or acting as a basis for mobile web apps, HTML5 is no doubt the future of mobile application development. It will continue to be a primary driving force by virtue of its functionality as well as cost and resource-saving nature. In fact, with further evolution of technology, it will not be surprising to find more and more HTML5-based elements in native applications as well in the days to come.

You can hire developers from top HTML5 development companies in India who can help you develop applications within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide HTML5 web development services. If you would like to hire HTML5 developer from our team, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.

PHP key features that makes web app development smoother, faster & easier

PHP means PHP Hypertext Preprocessor and is HTML's embedded scripting language like JSP or ASP, combining elements of Java, Perl and C. Many programmers and companies use this language as daily coding ritual; the code snippets as well as the open source frameworks help the developers. However, understanding the base PHP classes, functions and methods is a huge advantage. Here's taking a close look at some of the key features of the language which will make web application development easier, smoother as well as faster.

json_decode and json_encode- PHP has two extreme functions by using JSON or JavaScript Object Notation strings which is a standard that is text based and normally functions for sending and receiving of data with simple, easily legible structure. There are two functions which can help you manipulate the data from and to JSON. When utilizing json_encode the first argument is set as the data and then this converted data string will be returned by PHP, then used for output on API or even included in HTML template so that the JavaScript code can read it. json_decode is its opposite.

PDO Class- PHP Data Object or PDO is exclusively used for connection with MySQL databases by providing a good layer of abstraction around database driver sets. This essentially means that no matter what database is being used, with PDO support the same functions can be used for the performing of the same database actions. The code becomes more portable for using the web application on a variety of databases without any additional development time. Several standardized functions are provided by PDO Class like creation prepared statements, creating transactions and allowing escape variables if the need so arises.

Glob () for file-finding- Glob() may be referred to as scandir() function's more capable version. This allows you to search files with the use of patterns. Multiple types of files can be fetched by using this as well. In fact the files can be actually returned with path according to the query generated. For full path of each, the realpath() function can be called on returned values.

Generating unique IDs- Sometimes there arise certain situations which might warrant the generation of unique strings. To achieve that people often use the function md5() which is not really meant for that. Instead of that a PHP function called uniqid() may be used for that. Several characters at first may seem to be similar despite the strings being unique; this is attributed to the relation with server time and generated string. A good side effect to this is that each newly generated id comes in alphabetical order which aids in the sorting. Chances of duplicacy can be reduced by passing second parameter or prefix so that entropy can be increased. Nevertheless the strings generated by the function will be much shorter than md5(), saving a lot of space for you.

Unit testing- Automated code testing within the app is enabled through this. For all major projects some unit testing may be added. All reviewed PHP frameworks either use PHPUnit that is like the de facto testing suite for PHP or have their very own methods for unit testing.

Templating- This is the way codes can be organized within views. It attempts to find out the best way for code organization within the view. Before MVC frameworks a good solution was Smarty Template.

The features given are just the tip of the iceberg. PHP results in endless possibilities which may be best harnessed only if the features can be grasped fully. The learning curve may be steep and long but truly worthwhile. PHP can form a good foundation for ecommerce systems, bespoke platforms, content management systems, etc. Being armed with PHP and its features, will help you tackle the new challenges that the web development world brings to you everyday.

You can hire programmers from top php web development company India who can help you build products within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide php application development services. Please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions if you would like to hire php developer India.

How Far Can Online Businesses Go With Coldfusion?

With online businesses taking over the conventional brick and mortar trade, the need of the hour is to come up with new tools that would help in promotion as well as development of various types of online businesses in a seamless and unabated way, much in tune with the changing dynamics of the market and trend of consumerism. When we speak of that, it is ColdFusion that clearly enjoys a significant edge over other tools that are creating a buzz in the domain of online business or e-businesses as they are called.

Truly as per the experts, ColdFusion has the ability to go a long way in developing online businesses. In other words, online businesses will be able to taste astounding success with the proper use of ColdFusion.

Firstly, the tool is not at all expensive, and this indicates that businesses can have a significant amount of savings with the successful implementation of this software. In fact, if we look at the monthly subscription amount that ColFusion shopping cart asks for, it is generally $100 a month or less even with all the value added features that are needed by an online store for successful operation. Now, that amount, frankly speaking is meagre, when compared to some of the other e-commerce software packages available in the market. This gives the ColdFusion a tremendous shot in its arm, so far as its acceptability in the realm of e-commerce is concerned.

The presence of a buying cart designed as well as developed in ColdFusion comes to the aide of the business merchants in a great way, especially when it comes to processing the orders in a seamless way. Online shopping carts that come up with multiple online payment methods are an added asset for these e-businesses, especially in reaching out to a wider spectrum of customers, who are looking forward to shop and make payments in a different way.

In the modern world of e-Commerce, a trustworthy, safe as well as secure online shopping wagons is the keyword to success as this goes a long way in creating the brand value of the product or service offered.

Let us look into some of the ColdFusion shopping cart solutions that help businesses in more than a way.

cf_ezcart

This particular cart from ColdFusion is extremely user-friendly as well as easy to integrate. Besides, it is search engine friendly. This is what makes the difference at the end of the day.

SiteDirector

This online buying cart is powerful, safe as well as user-friendly. Extreme flexibility and robustness coupled with the presence of a number of value added features make this Adobe ColdFusion software highly adorable.

Cartweaver

Cartweaver 4 is supposedly the principal buying cart developed with the help of PHP. This cart can be manned easily by experienced as well as the ones who are navigating for the first time. The cart uses CFBuilder, Eclipse, Adobe Dreamweaver along with some other code editors. The cart works with ColdFusion as well as PHP. From the functional point of view, this makes the tool, especially the 4.02 version a versatile platform for e-commerce.

Slatwall

This is an extremely effective open source platform for B2B as well as B2C enterprises that offer a wide range of e-commerce solutions, flexibility as well as enterprise level functionality. It also comes up with a user-friendly administrator interface that allows managing applications like promotions, product management, customer service, 3rd party integration and the likes. Besides, it also features up-selling along with cross-selling option for the products or services, messaging that are promotion-based, customer service, shipping calculations etc.

CFWebstore

This is yet another entirely integrated web storefront which helps customization of template and creation of a customized store. The cart is available with some value added features like membership functions, option for processing batch orders, role based admin, delayed capture of CC and more.

If we think about the presence of shopping cart tools and their role in providing safe and secure e-commerce solutions, what we have discussed is just the introduction. ColdFusion comes up with a wide variety of solutions, that are specifically designed to serve online businesses of various niches. Hence, there is simply no doubt that with successful implementation and use of ColdFusion, online business will never be the same again.

You can hire developers from top custom ColdFusion development company in India who can help you build your website within allocated budgets and time schedules.

We provide ColdFusion development services. If you would like to speak to one of our expert ColdFusion developers, please reach out to us at Mindfire Solutions.