On the server tier, you have full control over how data is accessed and modified, making sure that client applications cannot bypass your rules or leave data in an inconsistent state. And all of that without having to write and maintain a server application yourself.

In your client application, Data Abstract provides a simple yet flexible API that makes it easy to request data, modify it, and send it back to the server – right away or later on. All without messing with HTTP requests, REST or similar low-level implementation details.

Data Abstract lets you use briefcase files to make data available in your local app, even when the user is not connected to the network. You can even let the user make changes to the data, and upload them at a later time.

Data Abstract also completely abstracts away the nitty gritty details of working with various database back-ends. While you can get your hands dirty and for example write custom SQL queries on the server, your client apps will stay completely database agnostic.


Data Abstract for .NET	Data Abstract for Cocoa	Data Abstract for Java & Android	Data Abstract for JavaScript	Data Abstract for Delphi

Data Abstract makes it easy to access data from your apps, no matter what platform you are targeting, or what development tool you are using.

To achieve that, Data Abstract was designed fresh for each of the five development platforms it supports – .NET, Cocoa, Java, JavaScript and Delphi.

All editions of Data Abstract follow a common design pattern around a few core classes such as a Remote Data Adapter and Data Tables, but the infrastructure is implemented natively on each platform, so you don't have to deal with .NET-isms when working in Xcode, or with Java-isms when working on .NET, and so on.

And it goes without saying that no matter what platform(s) you write client apps for, they can all seamlessly communicate with the same server.

Data Abstract is available in three editions:

	Single Platform	Multi Platform	Enterprise
Platforms	1	5	5
12 Months of Updates	V	V	V
Access To RemObjects Talk	V	V	V
Email Support	V	V	V
Royalty Free Deployment	V	V	V
Relativity Server	V	V	V
Full Source Code	V	V	V
Custom Server Development*	V	V	V
Relativity Server Enterprise			V
Enterprise Support			V
License	per developer	per developer	per site or company

*Custom Servers can be built in .NET (for deployment on all Windows, Mac and Linux) or Delphi (for deployment on Windows).

A First Look at Data Abstract

Data Abstract uses the "multi-tier" approach to data access. Basically, this means that your apps do not connect directly to the database, but go through a middle-tier server that acts as a "gate keeper" who controls and coordinates data access.

This has many benefits, from more efficient network transfers, over security and better control, to who can access and modify what data.

Roughly, the architecture of our app can be visualized like this:

Although your client app is what you are most excited about, of course, it makes sense to look at the three tiers in reverse order. So let's review:

The Database

Data Abstract works with pretty much any of the commonly used relational databases available. Out of the box, it supports Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, Interbase, Firebird, NexusDB, SQLAnywhere, AdvantageDB, mySQL, ElevateDB and SQLite, but adding support for a new or more exotic database type is easy and straightforward.

And we add official support for new databases all the time, as well.

Essentially, this means Data Abstract has you covered, no matter what database system you use (or have to use). What's more, in most cases a Data Abstract middle tier can be completely database agnostic – making it easy to switch or upgrade to a different database later on.

With Data Abstract, the database can be hidden behind a firewall and closed to access by anyone except the middle-tier server. This keeps your data safe and secure.

The Middle Tier

We realize that you want to focus on writing great apps, and not spend much time writing your own middle tier. That's why Data Abstract comes with a ready-to-use middle-tier server called Relativity.

You can think of Relativity being to your business logic what, say, SQL Server is to your database, or Apache to your website: it's a ready-to-go server implementation that you can use to host the functionality you need.

You would not even consider writing your own database engine – so why bother writing your own middle-tier server?

Relativity Server is easy to install on Windows, Linux and even Mac OS X Servers (and can be run locally during development, as well). If you're using Amazon Web Services, we also have ready-made images that let you deploy Relativity Server onto EC2 with just a few clicks — no Linux knowledge needed.

Schema Modeler

Once Relativity server is installed, Data Abstract provides a great and visual tool called Schema Modeler that lets you configure your data layer – from connecting to your database to deciding what data to make available. Schema Modeler is available for Windows and Mac.

In the simplest case, all you need to do is select which tables to publish, and you're set. But you can take more fine-grained control, including writing custom SQL queries, hiding fields, making tables available based on the user, and writing custom business logic.

Once you have published the tables you need, they can be accessed from your client app.

The Client App(s)

This is where you shine. The Data Abstract frameworks make it easy to access your data from the client apps you write – no matter the platform and the development tool.

Write iOS and Mac apps using Xcode, Elements or Xamarin.
Write Android apps using Java or Elements.
Write Windows apps using Visual Studio or Delphi.
Write Windows Phone and WinRT apps using Visual Studio.
Write web apps using JavaScript.

On each of these platforms, Data Abstract has your back and makes access to your data seamless and fast.

The APIs

The Data Abstract APIs you will work with are crafted specifically for each of the platforms, but they follow a shared design. We believe that's the best approach, allowing you to leverage Data Abstract knowledge, once obtained, across all platforms, while still getting the fully native development experience on each platform, and no awkward platform-isms.

The core two classes or components you will work with are the Remote Data Adapter that forms the central connection to your middle-tier server, and the individual Data Table classes that let you work with the data you retrieved and manage updates. Both of these are straight forward to use, yet powerful under the hood.

The Remote Data Adapter handles all the gritty details of efficiently and securely communicating with the server – one less thing for you to worry about.

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