How the LANSA repository streamlines application development

In the fast-paced world of application development, efficiency and simplicity are key to creating robust and maintainable code. One common roadblock to achieving these goals is code redundancy. Writing the same code, again and again, hampers developer productivity and introduces the risk of errors. Code redundancy can not only consume valuable time and resources but can also complicate software maintenance in the long run. Not to mention, it can also bloat source code and reduce the performance of an application. Visual LANSA’s repository solves this. 

The Visual LANSA repository acts as a database, serving as a centralized hub for managing, storing, and retrieving information about applications. Developers can reuse the information stored in the repository in any application to radically increase flexibility and efficiency. In addition to bringing a systematic approach to the development process, the repository also simplifies application maintenance because the centrally stored information is easy to find and change. 

Types of information stored in the LANSA Repository

The Visual LANSA repository stores a vast range of information about applications in a central location, helping streamline the development process. It significantly reduces application coding as information is defined just once in a central location rather than being repeated wherever it is used in application programs. For instance, a business rule for a field is defined once instead of in every program that uses that field. 

LANSA repository stores all the information in a non-platform-specific format that enables developers to develop applications for Windows, iSeries, and Linux.  The reusable field and file definitions are available to all LANSA applications, whether these are executed on Windows or IBM i. Other applications can also use these definitions through LANSA’s middleware.

Here are some of the things that can be stored in the LANSA Repository:

• Fields: The LANSA repository contains field-related information, such as data type, length, description, visualizations, default values, column headings, edit codes, prompt programs, and many more. It acts as a data dictionary for the application you are building.
• Files/Tables: In addition, the repository stores information about the files/tables or application database, like file relationships, physical files, file definition attributes, logical views, file validation rules, virtual fields, and many more.  
• Business rules: File/Table and field columns can have validation rules defined that can be applied during updating, adding, or deleting a table record. Examples include Date Check, Range Check, List Check, and Simple Logic Check. These rules are implemented by table. It means that most data validation rules can be automated instead of built into each component. 
• Components: Visual LANSA supports a wide range of application components for web, desktop, and mobile applications. All of these components are written using the same high-level object-oriented language, providing power and flexibility to develop modern applications with rich interfaces. The repository created on Visual LANSA supports higher-level components such as visual styles, themes, cursors, and icons. 
• Resources: The repository contains resources that can be used in your application, such as system variables, multilingual variables, external resources, widgets( Visual LANSA wrappers around external code), ActiveX controls, images, styles, themes, and many more.

How the LANSA repository boosts productivity

With the Visual LANSA repository, developers can accelerate the development process by simply reusing stored application information, including fields, tables, rules, relationships, components, system variables, and more. LANSA’s active repository provides numerous benefits to application developers and end users of applications, ranging from simplifying the development process to enhancing application performance. Let’s dive into the key benefits of building a repository on Visual LANSA. 

• Reduce application coding

The Visual LANSA repository architecture significantly reduces extensive coding whenever you want to build a new application or extend the functionality of an existing application. By defining information and reusable components just once in a central location, such as functions and fields, developers can cut down the lines of their code. They can reuse the defined components wherever it is needed in application programs. Rather than investing time in writing the same code repeatedly in an application program, developers can concentrate on creating unique and value-added features for their applications. It not only also enhances the overall quality of the application, but also reduces the likelihood of errors. 

Consider a scenario where the same validation logic is required for a data field in multiple places while developing an application. Instead of writing redundant code, developers can create a standardized date validation component in the repository using Visual LANSA. Once the component is created, they can integrate it effortlessly into different sections of the application. 

• Simplify application maintenance 

In addition to accelerating the development process, the Visual LANSA repository also simplifies application maintenance. When an update or change is needed in applications, modifying a component within the repository automatically makes the same changes across all applications that are using that component. This feature enables developers to make changes without impacting other parts of the code. It not only reduces the risk of inconsistencies but also makes updates more efficient.

• Facilitate collaboration

One of the key benefits of using Visual LANSA’s repository is its ability to facilitate effective collaboration among developers. By providing a centralized location for storing and sharing information, it enables developers to easily access relevant data and reusable components to build a new application.  Share your work with other developers and track changes made to the codebase over time. 

• Simplify cross-platform development

Visual LANSA’s repository plays an important role in simplifying cross-platform development by offering a platform-agnostic approach to coding. It centralizes the definition of fields, functions, and other reusable components. This professional low-code development solution allows developers to build code once and deploy it everywhere. It means that the code written by the developer can seamlessly adapt to multiple platforms without requiring extensive modifications.

With this solution, developers no longer need to develop and maintain application versions for different platforms. Whether on desktop or mobile, Visual LANSA makes it easy for developers to simplify and automate development on different devices and platforms. By supporting cross-platform development, Visual LANSA saves developers from the complexities of managing several codebases and reduces the effort required to update applications across various platforms.

Streamline application development using the LANSA repository

The dynamic digital landscape is forcing organizations to tap into new technologies. With the rising demand for digital applications, a well-organized repository is a game-changer. From tables, fields, rules, and relationships to components, system variables, and many more, the Visual LANSA repository stores all information about applications in one place. This repository can be shared with developers easily so that everything in it can be reused within the same or across different applications, reducing the amount of code to write. By embracing the benefits of shared application information and reduced coding, organizations can accelerate application development processes. 

Eliminate code redundancy and speed up development in one fell swoop!

Are you tired of code redundancy and writing a lengthy code to develop an application? Gone are the days when software development used to be a time-intensive task. Visual LANSA’s repository makes the development process faster by enabling developers to share and reuse application information. 

Start building your repository on Visual LANSA today and discover how it can streamline your development process and help accelerate your time to market. Contact us today to get a demo and learn how Visual LANSA’s repository can help businesses get applications developed in a quick turnaround time without investing a huge amount of money.