ZaneRay began using Java for web development not long after the Servlet API (for building server-side applications) was unveiled. The advantage of using an object-oriented, network-ready, cross platform development environment for building networked applications was immediately obvious. While the Java API is rich in functionality, we knew we could better serve our customers if we extended it into a toolset that fit our specific development requirements.

The idea of the Z-Foundation was to create a set of software components that would offer large blocks of functionality, but remain low level enough that our developers would be extending its functionality instead tearing down and retrofitting ungainly components. Our tasks typically consist of interfacing with existing legacy business components and meeting other complex design requirements where an "E-commerce-in-a-Box" solution would create a major remodel effort. Besides offering faster development, the foundation needed to fit some of our other development philosophies:

• » Separation of application logic from its presentation (typically HTML) as much as possible. While there are plenty of exceptions, good page designers may not be the same people as programmers and vice-versa. We wanted designers to be able to work independently of programmers.
• » Centralized management of business logic. Keep the business logic from getting scattered across HTML pages (as can happen with other environments like ASP or Cold Fusion).
• » Functionality is extensible. Take advantage of the Java object environment. Build components whose functionality is easily extended with business logic. Extend proven objects instead of building new ones.
• » Configurable by non-technical personnel. Have the ability to change application behavior without altering code.
• » Platform/Database/Application server independent. Make the choice of hardware and supporting software a non-issue.

The result of developing the Z-Foundation has been faster delivery of applications with more consistent results. The foundation is already third generation, with proven production results. We continue to evolve it as the face of web development and Java evolves.

The Z-Foundation is a set of Java classes, an API for developing Java web applications. Portions of the API consist of "wrapper" classes around core Java functionality that reduce or eliminate programming of often repeated tasks. Other portions provide generic functionality designed to be extended with business specific logic. There are pieces that process forms, manage database connections, and handle page presentations. While the Z-Foundation is a developer's toolset, it has been designed to reduce or eliminate programming, so efforts can be better spent on creating custom functionality, not writing low-level code.