Oracle7 Server Distributed Systems Volume I: Distributed Data

Front-End Client Applications

A front-end application queries a host or server-based database and extracts information for use with report writers, spreadsheets, and so on. It may also provide protocol processing and has access to server-based resources.

The front-end application runs on a workstation and provides a character-based or graphic interface to help the user to access the remote data store(s). These applications can be written in-house or purchased from Oracle Corporation or third-party vendors. Oracle Corporation also provides many tools for the development of these applications.

The function of client-side applications is multi-faceted:

data query (including parallel query)

report writing

third or fourth generation language (3GL/4GL) applications

transaction processing

application development

CASE

decision support