Re^3: What's a good alternative to browser-webapp-webserver for remote apps?

In general, they follow the old client-server model because of the need to have a custom protocol for updating the graphical elements. This generally entails some sort of half-model-plus-protocol that replicates most of the model information on the client. This allows the server to send very little information to the client for a large effect on the client. Having written one of these in AJAX, this takes either

A large amount of duplication of effort across two languages
Two completely different applications that both speak the same protocol

Neither of these is simple to maintain. This is why those MMORPGs suck, have few features, or have a monthly cost.

My criteria for good software:

Does it work?
Can someone else come in, make a change, and be reasonably certain no bugs were introduced?

Comment on Re^3: What's a good alternative to browser-webapp-webserver for remote apps?

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Re^4: What's a good alternative to browser-webapp-webserver for remote apps? by nefigah (Monk) on Mar 30, 2008 at 04:09 UTC
This is why those MMORPGs suck, have few features, or have a monthly cost. Or all of the above :) I'm a peripheral visionary... I can see into the future, but just way off to the side.	[reply]
Re^4: What's a good alternative to browser-webapp-webserver for remote apps? by rudder (Scribe) on Mar 30, 2008 at 16:14 UTC
This generally entails some sort of half-model-plus-protocol that replicates most of the model information on the client. Ok. So, I'm guessing that means maybe something like: `player:position_x=120;position_y=83;orientation=52.2 ...` [download] and so on for other objects or events in the game (though probably in some more condensed format). Having written one of these in AJAX, ... Just curious: what format did you choose for sending your data back and forth? XML? Plain text? Something else?	[reply] [d/l]
Re^5: What's a good alternative to browser-webapp-webserver for remote apps? by dragonchild (Archbishop) on Mar 31, 2008 at 19:10 UTC
Definitely in some more condensed format, though that condensing can often be provided by mod_deflate / mod_gzip. We used JSON which is a proper subset of YAML. Very nice format to work with when chatting with Javascript. It also compresses very well. :-) My criteria for good software: Does it work? Can someone else come in, make a change, and be reasonably certain no bugs were introduced?	[reply]