Elements of REBOL Lightweight Distributed Computing

Back to first section: About REBOL's Technology

• Distributed Code Model
  REBOL application code is system independent. REBOL's standard cross platform runtime environment provides an improved application deployment model. Applications easily intercommunicate code between servers and clients, even peer to peer. Processing is accomplished more efficiently because the server is no longer bottlenecked with tasks that can be performed on the client, such as analyzing data, building user interfaces, and responding to the user.
• Common Data Model
  REBOL allows all kinds of data to be shared across all systems and applications. Unlike literal data models, REBOL allows semantic content to be preserved through its symbolic and dialectic methods. Code and data are transmutable, creating maximal expressiveness with less effort and time.
• Pervasive Internet Protocols
  The REBOL kernel includes 14 standard Internet protocols built-in. These protocols are immediately useable without deep knowledge of the protocols. REBOL communications is achieved through standard Internet protocols such as HTTP that require no changes to existing network infrastructure and are used by nearly all organizations.
• Extensible Messaging Format
  Combining REBOL's Internet protocols with its data and code models produces an extremely flexible messaging format. Messages can include semantic content. REBOL's dialectic interpretation methods provide great power.
• Synchronization
  Using REBOL/Express, applications, documents, data, and icons are automatically synchronized between machines. Information and applications are always up-to-date. If you use multiple systems, the same information and files are available across all.
• Offline Operation
  REBOL applications operate even when offline, allowing you to work anywhere at any time, even when you are not able to connect to the Internet.
• Tiny Applications
  REBOL applications are extremely small. Most applications are less than the size of a single web page. These applications download faster and are easier to create, update, and maintain.
• Integrated Security
  All connections are authenticated and certified. Only valid users can connect to your server. All applications and information are encrypted during transfer. Local file sandboxes, encrypted files, and compression are also available.
• Application Components
  A range of pre-developed application components eliminate the need to write code for common functions. These components can be combined, customized, or branded to provide the precise look, feel, and functionality desired.
• Powerful Language
  The REBOL language provides a next-generation lightweight architecture that serves as the basis for all REBOL modules. The full power of the REBOL language is available to all applications. You can rapidly customize applications or create new applications in a fraction of the time compared to other web-enabled or proprietary systems. REBOL allows distributed applications to be written and debugged in days and does not require complicated, time consuming, and costly heavyweight methods.
• System Independent
  Applications operate identically across all major platforms. You save effort and cost by creating applications and services only once.
• Remote Administration
  User access and application administration is centralized by the server but can be administered remotely through any client that has administrative privileges. Administration requires a low level of expertise and minimal effort.
• Quick to Install
  The server and client systems are very compact and can be downloaded and installed in seconds. The client system can be sent as an email attachment, downloaded from a web site, or even delivered on floppy disk.
• Uses Existing Network Infrastructure
  REBOL uses standard servers and Internet protocols. The system can be brought on-line using an easy-to-install module for standard Web servers.
• Legacy Interface
  REBOL can launch existing applications, can call dynamic libraries directly without requiring additional C or C++ code, and can communicate with legacy applications using standard Internet protocols or TCP.