Overview

TurnObjects is a powerful set of tools that enable developers to create applications with minimal effort. TurnObjects uses a simple configuration file to generate code, manage data storage, and create user interfaces. Time traditionally devoted to write and maintain database code, secure an application, globalize text, and create user forms can be put to more productive use.

A simple example of using TurnObjects is a contact form. Normally a developer would write code to record the information gathered by the contact form. The data fields like first name, last name, comments, etc. would all need code written so that information can be stored in a database. The contact form would also need an interface so that a user can enter the contact data. TurnObjects writes all the database code and creates the interface for the developer. TurnObjects can also create spreadsheet like views to see all the contact data that has been collected and report on it. TurnObjects easily accommodates changes to the system and will adjust the code and user interface when updates are made. The contact form example and how it is implemented in TurnObjects is described in the examples section. This is only one small example. TurnObjects can be used to create much larger and more complex systems.

For more information see the Getting Started and examples pages.

Productivity

The benefit of TurnObjects is that much of the code generation that would normally be done by the developer is now generated by the TurnObjects system. This power and flexibility allows developers to have a website up and running in a matter of hours instead of days. Programmer mistakes are minimized because the system generates the same code every time.

Flexibility

The TurnObject system can be changed at any time, even while the application is deployed. For example, if a user's personal data record needs a new data field, let's say email address. The email address field can be added to the system configuration file and the system would notice the change, recompile itself and update the database to accept the new value. All the forms and grids associated with the person record would also change to accept and display the new email field.

Security

TurnObjects has a built in set of security methods. These methods can assign and authenticate role based permissions for any item in the system. These methods are also built into the web controls so that securing an application is just as easy as creating one.

Globalization

All TurnObjects can be globalized for translation into other languages. For example, if a user's browser is set to prefer Spanish and a translation for Spanish has been added, the system will show the interface with Spanish text. Text on built-in interface elements (forms, grids, etc) is globalized as well. Globalization in TurnObjects conforms to methods that developers already use to globalize other .NET 2.0 applications. A resource file (.resx) with translations for each language can be added for each TurnObject and a TurnObjects.resx file holds all the built-in interface element translations.