In June 2006, the management team of QAT was gathered at a company picnic when the question came up “When you can cut development time at least in half using Wizard, why are there still Gen shops that don’t use it?” After a long pause of no response, one member chimed in “I don't know, why don't we ask them?” We decided then and there on that hot summer day to do just that.
We polled Gen customers across the globe and to your credit you responded with great feedback. Below you will find the most commonly stated reasons. From there we set out to do something about it. Much of this ultimately found us relinquishing a good deal of the control to you – control that in the past was kept under lock and key at QAT.
We are very pleased with the results. For those of you who participated, “Thank you!” We think you will find that we listened. Full Client Control – that's what you will find with today's QAT Wizard. Here are our responses to your feedback.
| You said… |
We answered… |
| We want to understand how much productivity can be realized from the Wizard and how do the results differ for new and existing projects. |
It doesn’t really matter if it’s a new or existing project. If you can properly use a pattern for a transaction, you will cut development time by at least 8-15 times using QAT Wizard. You may get even better results, just like we do, once you really understand the methodology and have some experience with the product and pattern development. |
| We’re not doing new development, only enhancements. We have to be able to meet our own code and view standards. |
Since QAT Wizard can be fully customized to your standards, you can create code with it that fully meets your rules and specifications and works seamlessly with existing application code as well as for new projects. This also enables you to redevelop old nonstandard code and clean up problem areas without breaking your budget. |
| We want to be able to have complete control over patterns and the associated interviews. |
This new release focuses on allowing the client to take full control over the pattern model and the associated Wizard Interviews that control the Wizard so you can precisely match your own standards and application styles. |
| We want to be able to create new patterns and not just be limited to customizing the QAT Pattern Model. |
The client is now able to create entirely new patterns. The Pattern Developer Guide details how to develop a custom pattern model for QAT Wizard. |
| We want to be able to modify the interview ourselves. |
The client is now able to create entirely new interviews for the Wizard. The Wizard Interview Manager is a visual design tool used to develop the Interactive Wizard Interview. The designer can choose from several types of options for prompting the developer through the interview. The designer also has the ability to enable and disable features to customize the pattern code it copies according to the choices made in the interview. The interview is interpreted by QAT Wizard so it can be tested as the interview is being developed. |
| We wish there was a way for the developer to customize code without being limited to using the available features and techniques in the Gen Action Diagram. |
This release of the Wizard adds a new capability called Wizard Actions
Wizard Actions are directives that you encode into the Action Diagrams using a combination of Notes and Action Diagram statements that direct the Wizard Plug-in to perform various customizations for you. The Wizard Actions start with a particular Action Diagram Note statement with a specified syntax. Some Wizard Actions require specific Gen statements to immediately follow the note in order to direct the Action at a specific view or other model object. Wizard Actions include Deleting Views, Setting Group View Sizes, and Prompting For Hard Coded Parameters. |
| After we develop our patterns, we need a way to test all the various options our new patterns support. |
A new automated Pattern Test Harness was developed into the starter pattern model that integrates directly to the Wizard Interview in a special mode that allows the tester to make the same choices they will be presented with during the Wizard Interview. This allows for each pattern to be tested with any combination of features defined.
In order to automate the logic to enable the patterns to retrieve these current settings (i.e. Enabled Wizard Features) so the test can execute as if those features were selected during the Wizard, we created a plug-in that generates this specialized Wizard Feature action diagram logic into the pattern procedures and action blocks automatically.
Between the new automated test menu and the new plug-in to generate the Wizard Feature logic, we've greatly simplified the task of developing and testing patterns for QAT Wizard. The new pattern test menu and code generator can now be launched directly from the QAT Wizard control panel. |
| We are concerned that the resulting objects will be dependent on the product. We don’t want to be tied to using QAT Wizard forever and for everything like happens with so many products. We want to just be able to use it where it makes sense and have the results work completely independently. |
The resulting objects are not dependent on Wizard or the pattern model. The code that is generated from QAT Wizard stands completely on its own, just like handwritten code. |
| If we spend the time to develop and use patterns for our development, we want to be sure that they aren’t going to become obsolete with product updates. |
The patterns developed for QAT Wizard stay applicable to all future releases of QAT Wizard. Product upgrades are focused on features, not the manner in which the customer pattern model is coded. |
| We want to be able to get started quickly and need training for our developers. |
Your new purchase of QAT Wizard includes our Fast Start package. We will get you started by spending up to one week customizing the pattern model for you including spending two days with your development staff to gather your standards. Once we have your pattern model customized, we will return and spend three days on-site training your lead developers. You will also receive 20 hours of premium support to answer your development questions by phone, email, and web meetings after we leave. |
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