NextApp has announced the availability of the open-source AJAX-based Echo2 Web Framework and commercially-licensed EchoStudio2 Visual Development Tool.

Echo2 unifies AJAX technology with a practical server-side framework to create a next-generation web application platform. For web application developers, Echo2 provides a familiar and powerful component-oriented framework that promotes event-oriented design similar to traditional thick-client user interface toolkits like Java Swing or Eclipse SWT. Echo2 leverages AJAX technology to deliver rich internet applications that create a user experience normally reserved for desktop-based applications.

"The concept of AJAX has ignited interest in using the web for applications that might have traditionally required a thick-client interface," said Tod Liebeck, Chief Software Architect of NextApp. "While AJAX can deliver web interfaces that rival desktop apps, it requires expertise in a diverse array of technologies including XML, HTML, and JavaScript. Echo2 handles all of the AJAX heavy lifting, allowing developers to concentrate on building business applications using familiar server-side Java development
techniques."

Echo2 features in a nutshell:

* Applications are developed in server-side Java using a component-oriented and event-driven API that works like a user interface toolkit.

* Rendering is accomplished entirely via AJAX, using a single HTML document. Server-based updates are rendered in the smallest form possible, only updating portions of the HTML document that have changed.

* Applications can display true modal dialogs, where the application will disallow input outside of the modal area.

* Server push technology enables an application to control client browsers outside of the traditional web request/response cycle.

* An extensible component development API allows the creation of reusable AJAX components.

* Support is provided for modern web browsers including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Konqueror, Safari, Mozilla, and Netscape.

EchoStudio2 extends the Echo2 platform with a visual development nvironment built on top of the popular Eclipse IDE. Developers can visually assemble Echo2 components into complete user interfaces using the EchoStudio2 Form Editor, and build application themes using the StyleSheet Editor tool.
Applications can be launched and debugged entirely from within the EchoStudio2/Eclipse environment.

The Echo2 Web Framework is distributed under the Mozilla Public License, providing royalty-free development for open-source, proprietary, and commercial applications EchoStudio2 is commercially-licensed software available as a 30-day free trial download at the NextApp website