Abstract
Due to data-driven application nature and its increasing complexity, developing its user interface can be a repetitive and time-consuming activity. Consequently, developers tend to focus more on the user interface aspects and less on business related code. In this paper, we're presenting an alternative approach to graphical user interface development for data-driven applications, that allows developers to refocus on the source code and concentrate their efforts on application core logic. The key concept behind our approach is the generation of concrete graphical user interface from a source code based model, which includes the original source code metadata and non-intrusive declarative language extensions that describes the user inter-face structure. Concrete user interface implementation will be delegated to specialized software packages, developed by external entities, that provides complete graphical user interfaces services to the application. When applying our approach, we're expecting faster graphical user interface development.

Abstract
Electronic commerce is currently a world-wide phenomenon, with multiple impacts on the success and evolution of organizations of various business areas, due to its unique features that both challenge and revolutionize traditional entrepreneurial reasoning. However many enterprises have experienced difficulties with their e-commerce initiatives, either due to lack of information, or because of the innumerable difficulties found in the definition of an action plan. Recognizing the importance of a broad and deep understanding of the multiple aspects supporting and constraining e-commerce, a theoretical model that explains electronic commerce initiatives is proposed. The model was developed following a qualitative methodology known as Grounded Theory, whose purpose is to assist organizations in their e-commerce initiatives. The work led to the identification and description of factors that influence the adoption and exploitation of e-commerce in Portuguese organizations.

Abstract
Due to data-driven application nature and its increasing complexity, developing its user interface can be a repetitive and time-consuming activity. Consequently, developers tend to focus more on the user interface aspects and less on business related code. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to graphical user interface development for data-driven applications, where the key concept is the generation of concrete graphical user interface from a source code based model. The model includes the original source code metadata and non-intrusive declarative language extensions that describes the user interface structure. Some Object Relational Mapping tools already use a similar concept to handle interoperability between the data layer and the business layer. Our approach applies the same concept to handle business and presentation layer interoperability. Also, concrete user interface implementation will be delegated to specialized software packages, developed by external entities, that provide complete graphical user interfaces services to the application. When applying our approach, we expect faster graphical user interface development, allowing developers to refocus on the source code and concentrate their efforts on application core logic.

Abstract

Abstract

Abstract
The explosion in the use of computing in learning holds great potential for preschool education, and yet information on common educational practices with computers at the level of preschool education is scarce. This chapter shares two distinct goals: first, to provide context for the practitioner by providing a panorama of the information available on actual field practices and recommendations by official bodies from several countries regarding the inclusion of computing technology in the educational practice at the preschool and kindergarten levels; and second, to present a hands-on technical perspective on the matter of immersion of the computer in the daily practice of preschools in the form of a four-way guide, including the use of computer programming in this manner. At the end, a list of readings and activity suggestions is provided to help the reader put these ideas into practice. © 2008, IGI Global.