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Frequently Asked Questions about Jetfire
What is a workflow?
Simply put, a workflow is a repeatable pattern of work. We define workflow as computer program (class) aiding in the execution of a repeatable pattern of work.
A workflow describes the work being done. This is often referred to as work, job, calendar item or the workflow. ‘Workflow’ is used to describe this meaning throughout Jetfire.
Wikipedia defines a workflow as “a reliably repeatable pattern of activity enabled by a systematic organization of resources, defined roles and mass, energy and information flows, into a work process that can be documented and learned. Workflows are always designed to achieve processing intents of some sort, such as physical transformation, service provision, or information processing.”
What are the components of a workflow system?
Five key Components of a Workflow Ecosystem include:
- Workflow Designer
- User Interface
- Data Persistence Layer
- Data Report Generator
- Workflow Engine
Details are available in a white paper, Attributes of a Complete Workflow Eco-System.
What is Jetfire?
Jetfire is a programming language and tools that take the complexity out of application programming. One class of application programming is called workflows. Jetfire is to Workflows what Lotus 1-2-3 was to spreadsheets.
Jetfire is a free language and application framework that aims to increase the speed and ease with which workflows are created. The framework offers skeleton code frameworks (scaffolding) to aid in designing new applications. The Jetfire framework is an open source project written in the Jetfire programming language. Sample applications using the Jetfire framework are developed using the Model-View-Controller design pattern.
The Jetfire language has been implemented in .net C#. The Jetfire language binaries are freely available for developers to use in their projects.
The fundamental Jetfire principles include Convention over Configuration (CoC) and Don't repeat yourself (DRY).
Who should use Jetfire Workflows?
Jetfire Workflows are a great tool for programmers developing systems that run on Websites, PCs or even PDAs that require great flexibility. A Jetfire system allows Power End Users, who truly understand their application to maintain the workflows and even implement new ones.
Why a Workflow Language?
A special-purpose language offers the simplest environment for programmers allowing for rapid program development. Jetfire is equipped with a workflow-specific library.
What does a designer get with Jetfire Workflows?
Jetfire Workflow components include:
- Jetfire language, used to write workflows
- Jetfire System and Workflow libraries (embedded code)
- Jetfire code libraries
- Jetfire Dashboard, used to write Jetfire Workflows
- Jetfire Web Service, used to access
- Jetfire Web Parts, used to automatically display Jetfire Workflows
“I wrote a workflow, now what?”
Once a Jetfire Workflow is written, add it to the Jetfire Website. The web pages are made of Jetfire Web Parts that display your workflow template, allow you to create a workflow based on the template and edit the workflow.
Update the workflow and see the updates reflected in the Jetfire Web Parts.
How do you implement Activities for a Workflow?
Jetfire uses state-based workflows familiar to most programmers. In this model, the workflow transitions from state to state (for example from ‘active’ to the ‘completed’ state). Another model is activity-based workflows. Jetfire implements each activity or sequence of activities as a separate Workflow or Class.
Jetfire Workflows are light-weight.
Does Jetfire have a Visual Design Tool?
Not yet. We chose to refine the programming model before moving to a Visual Designer.
Are the Web Parts AJAX-enabled?
These Web Parts are not AJAX-enabled. These Web Parts are ‘make-change; save-change’ controls.
Who are your competitors?
Many companies offer workflow application platforms. None offer a simple to use approach like Jetfire.
Why is Jetfire unique?
Jetfire Workflows offer a simple programming language that makes it easy for Power Users to build workflows.
What is the Sales Model?
Jetfire Workflows are open source. They are available under the GPL License.
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