Using Sigma Web Framework

This section begins the discussion of actually using the Sigma Framework as a method of presenting data, creating applications, and serving as a methodology and language independent platform for program development. The development of Sigma Applications is presented in the next two sections. First, simple applications will be discussed, and then more sophisticated applications and forms in the sections that follow.

The fundamental purpose of Sigma is to provide a consistent set of rules, procedures, and protocols for rapid development of usable software. As a framework product, Sigma does not enforce any specific programming methodology, or require a specific language to be used. The program's architecture is intended to make development of a web-based framework "simple" for both the developer and the end user.

To that end, Sigma permits the simplest of applications (such as batch files and normal web pages) as well as complex interactive applications to coexist, in modular form, in the framework system. This first section discusses simple, perhaps trivial, application development.

Additional notes

  • Developers can create subdirectories within the "sigma-web" directory, following a strict naming convention, to create navigation tabs.
  • The "sigma-web" directory is not accessible to the browser, except for the Sigma Framework "Web.exe" program, residing in the "s-cgi" directory.
  • The Sigma Framework supports ".txt", and ".bat" files, which are used to display preformatted text.
  • The Sigma Framework supports ".exe", and ".cmd" files, which are used to display HTML screens.
  • The Sigma Framework supports ".html" and ".htm" files, displaying these files, possibly with macro substitution of keywords and content, based upon an external ".zcnf" file.
  • The Sigma Framework macro editor permits macro substitution of tags, including the execution of external program. Macro tags are delimited by "@@" characters, and the special "@@!" delimiter permits execution of external ".exe" programs and batch files.
  • URLs can be encrypted using the "system/sigcmd.exe" utility, or using the Sigma programmer API, discussed in later sections.
  • No capability (or need) exists to decrypt the encrypted URL payloads, which are decoded and deciphered by the "web.exe" program prior to executing batch files or programs.
  • Developers can modify the "s-header.html" and "s-footer.html" files to add HTML "meta" tags, specify JavaScript header items, and specify global program style sheets.

This section contains the following topics:

 

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