Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) is a high-level language that allows developers to focus on business logic, instead of specific technologies, as they create complex business applications for deployment in any of several environments (including the Web).




Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) is a high-level language that allows developers to focus on business logic, instead of specific technologies, as they create complex business applications for deployment in any of several environments (including the Web).

EGL-generated code can access DB2, Oracle, or Informix databases on AIX, iSeries, Linux, Windows 2000/NT/XP, or UNIX System Services. Applications written for one target platform can be converted easily for use on another.




Enterprise Generation Language (EGL) is a high-level language that allows developers to focus on business logic, instead of specific technologies, as they create complex business applications for deployment in any of several environments (including the Web).

EGL-generated code can access DB2, Oracle, or Informix databases on AIX, iSeries, Linux, Windows 2000/NT/XP, or UNIX System Services. Applications written for one target platform can be converted easily for use on another.

The image shows a sample EGL Web application displaying dynamic data from a Cloudscape database.



Unlike other 4GL languages, EGL applications can be written in a single file using a simple text editor. Alternately, to take advantage of code reuse, multiple files with import statements can be used.



Although EGL is not an object-oriented language, some of the concepts are similar to Java. The concept of rich data in EGL is similar to classes in Java, and functions in EGL are similar to methods in Java.



EGL mixes easily with JavaServer Faces (JSF) technology. You can attach EGL actions to web page controls and events (such as form buttons) created with JSF.



An EGL Web project contains:

  • Preferences: settings used during application development;



An EGL Web project contains:

  • Preferences: settings used during application development;
  • A build file: technology settings; created and managed for you by Rational Developer;



An EGL Web project contains:

  • Preferences: settings used during application development;
  • A build file: technology settings; created and managed for you by Rational Developer;
  • Packages: named collections of related source parts.



A package typically contains the following types of files:

  • Library: collections of related data Records and functions that govern the access and manipulation of a single data source, such as a relational table or file;



A package typically contains the following types of files:

  • Library: collections of related data Records and functions that govern the access and manipulation of a single data source, such as a relational table or file;
  • Program: complete procedural instructions;



A package typically contains the following types of files:

  • Library: collections of related data Records and functions that govern the access and manipulation of a single data source, such as a relational table or file
  • Program: complete procedural instructions;
  • PageHandler: functions and data to support a single JavaServer Page.



Here is a quick demonstration of the creation of the EGL Web application shown earlier in this tour.
  • First, create the packages and data parts;



Here is a quick demonstration of the creation of the EGL Web application shown earlier in this tour.
  • First, create the packages and data parts;
  • Next, create a library;



Here is a quick demonstration of the creation of the EGL Web application shown earlier in this tour.
  • First, create the packages and data parts;
  • Next, create a library;
  • Finally, create a JavaServer Page (JSP).



Here is a quick demonstration of the creation of the EGL Web application shown earlier in this tour.
  • First, create the packages and data parts;
  • Next, create a library;
  • Finally, create a JavaServer Page (JSP).

Instructions for developing this Web application are included in the Tutorial Gallery.



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;
  • Improved string processing;



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;
  • Improved string processing;
  • New variables and structures types;



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;
  • Improved string processing;
  • New variables and structures types;
  • Miscellaneous syntax enhancements (only some are shown here);



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;
  • Improved string processing;
  • New variables and structures types;
  • Miscellaneous syntax enhancements (only some are shown here);
  • A Parts Reference view and an EGL search mechanism for accessing parts quickly;



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;
  • Improved string processing;
  • New variables and structures types;
  • Miscellaneous syntax enhancements (only some are shown here);
  • A Parts Reference view and an EGL search mechanism for accessing parts quickly;



Some of the new EGL features in Rational Developer 6.0 are:

  • A wizard for creating data parts directly from relational database tables;
  • A wizard for creating Web applications that create, read, update, and delete table rows from relational databases;
  • Improved string processing;
  • New variables and structures types;
  • Miscellaneous syntax enhancements (only some are shown here);
  • A Parts Reference view and an EGL search mechanism for accessing parts quickly;
  • EGL development in the Web perspective.



Before you can develop EGL applications, make sure to enable the EGL tools in the workbench (Window > Preferences > Workbench > Capabilities)
No image.

This concludes the Enterprise Generation Language tour. To learn more, refer to the Tutorial Gallery or the Information Center.