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Chapter 1 ✦ Introducing Curl
Figure 1-1: How more tools increase development complexity
Another benefit is that Curl-based architectures are an extension of the well-studied
client/server architectures that have been around for many years. This means that
you are not on the bleeding edge of system architecture. Instead, you can benefit
from years of industry experience in this area, further reducing risk on your project.
Testing costs
Testing current Web applications is a combinatorial mess. Figure 1-1 applies to
testers as well as to developers. If testers tried to verify a complex application for
every combination of operating system manufacturer and version, browser manu-
facturer and version, JVM version, JavaScript version, and so on, they would never
finish. This is not slighting testers, but recognition that testing is an economic
choice; testing each combination produces diminishing returns. How much are you
willing to spend to be sure? How long is the market willing to wait for your product?
What is the cost if you are wrong?
With Curl applications, the major browser combinations were already tested by
Curl Corporation when it tested Surge. Also, many Curl customers have gone before
you. Yes, it’s a nightmare, but it’s their nightmare. Since Curl version heralds ensure
your applet uses the correct version of Surge, all you need to do is test that your
application works with a specific version of Surge. You can spend more time testing
your application’s features and less on platform combinations.
Operational costs
It is generally cheaper to run Curl applications than applications based on other
Web technologies. However, your saving will depend on how many of the following
bullets apply to your site. Does your Web site:
Number of Interactions
Number of Tools
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
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