Difference between revisions of "ITasks"

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[[File:itasks-logo.png|right]]
 
[[File:itasks-logo.png|right]]
At the '''ICFP 2007''' conference we first presented '''iTasks''' [http://www.st.cs.ru.nl/papers/2007/plar2007-ICFP07-iTasks.pdf],
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The iTask system ('''iTasks''') is a task-oriented programming toolkit for programming workflow support applications in [[Clean]].
a multi-user workflow system for the web. Since then the system has evolved from a small library on top of the [[iData]] framework to
 
a full fledged workflow language embedded in [[Clean]].  
 
  
Using '''iTasks''' workflows can be speficied using combinators in a very high level declarative monadic style. Workflows consist
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With this toolkit, interactive systems can be specified using combinators in a very high level declarative monadic style. Programs are constructed by combining typed 'tasks'. These tasks produce results that can be passed as parameters to other tasks. Tasks are constructed by combining
of typed tasks that produce results that can be passed as parameters to other tasks. Workflows are constructed by combining
 
 
single steps sequentially or in parallel.
 
single steps sequentially or in parallel.
From iTask specifications, executable workflow support systems are generated automatically.
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From iTask specifications, executable web-based workflow support systems are generated automatically.
  
Lately we have been working on version 2 of iTasks that takes the quality of the generated workflow support systems
 
to a higher level and aims to offer end-users working on tasks a more user-friendly experience. We have presented this new incarnation
 
of the iTask system at the '''IFL 2009''' conference, and we are working on getting it ready for an alpha release.
 
 
[[File:itasks2-gui.jpg|thumb|The iTask2 GUI]]
 
[[File:itasks2-gui.jpg|thumb|The iTask2 GUI]]
  
 
This latest version features:
 
This latest version features:
* A highly declarative API for specification of dynamic workflows
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* A highly declarative API for specification of interactive systems as task compositions.
* A rich Ajax client interface for working on tasks
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* Automatic generation of web-based user interfaces for entering and updating and viewing data.
* Automatically generated editors for entering and updating data in workflows.
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* Automatic data persistance
* A JSON based service API for spawning and interacting with running workflow instances
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* Automatic instant synchronization between different clients using html5 push technologies.
* The possibility to change running workflow instances
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* Easy creation of JSON webservices
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* A builtin HTTP1.1 webserver
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* Integration framework for common client-side javascript libraries (for example google maps)
  
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== Installation ==
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Download and unzip a [[Download Clean | Clean Development Release]]. It contains iTasks by default. Clean 2.4 is not supported in combination with iTasks.
  
== Download ==
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Mac and Linux users should follow the installation instructions provided in the README.txt.
The iTask system is actively developed, but has no regular release schedule. We provide alpha builds on request or on special occasions such as use during courses.
 
  
The latest packaged release we created for a course can be found at:
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== Documentation ==
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Documentation of iTasks is still mostly done in scientific papers (look for iTasks on the [[Publications]] page).
  
http://www.cs.ru.nl/~baslijns/iTasks-prereleases/BR-2010.zip
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== Browsers ==
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The iTask system works with most modern browsers. IE 9 is a known exception, we are working on that.
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Using the iTask system with Firefox can be very slow. This is caused by a delay that is added by Firefox for all events for localhost. There are several solutions and workarounds:
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* Find out what your current ip address and use that instead of '''http://localhost/'''.
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* Better: use '''http://127.0.0.1/''' instead of '''http://localhost/'''.
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* best: change the settings of Firefox.
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# type as url: '''about:config'''
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# search for '''v6''', you will see '''network.dns.disableIPv6'''
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# toggle the value of this parameter to '''True'''.
  
 
== Read more ==
 
== Read more ==
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* [[ST_Publications|Papers about iTasks]]
 
* [[Workflow examples]]
 
* [[Workflow examples]]
 
* [[ITasksProjectIdeas| Ideas for projects to improve iTasks]]
 
* [[ITasksProjectIdeas| Ideas for projects to improve iTasks]]
* Rinus' iTask pages [http://www.cs.ru.nl/~rinus/iTaskIntro.html].
 

Revision as of 09:27, 28 April 2016

Itasks-logo.png

The iTask system (iTasks) is a task-oriented programming toolkit for programming workflow support applications in Clean.

With this toolkit, interactive systems can be specified using combinators in a very high level declarative monadic style. Programs are constructed by combining typed 'tasks'. These tasks produce results that can be passed as parameters to other tasks. Tasks are constructed by combining single steps sequentially or in parallel. From iTask specifications, executable web-based workflow support systems are generated automatically.

The iTask2 GUI

This latest version features:

  • A highly declarative API for specification of interactive systems as task compositions.
  • Automatic generation of web-based user interfaces for entering and updating and viewing data.
  • Automatic data persistance
  • Automatic instant synchronization between different clients using html5 push technologies.
  • Easy creation of JSON webservices
  • A builtin HTTP1.1 webserver
  • Integration framework for common client-side javascript libraries (for example google maps)

Installation

Download and unzip a Clean Development Release. It contains iTasks by default. Clean 2.4 is not supported in combination with iTasks.

Mac and Linux users should follow the installation instructions provided in the README.txt.

Documentation

Documentation of iTasks is still mostly done in scientific papers (look for iTasks on the Publications page).

Browsers

The iTask system works with most modern browsers. IE 9 is a known exception, we are working on that.

Using the iTask system with Firefox can be very slow. This is caused by a delay that is added by Firefox for all events for localhost. There are several solutions and workarounds:

  1. type as url: about:config
  2. search for v6, you will see network.dns.disableIPv6
  3. toggle the value of this parameter to True.

Read more