LiveCycle
implements a service-oriented architecture that relies on loosely coupled
software services to support business processes and perform operations on
documents. Services run within the service container.
The service container is an extensible component model
based on software-oriented architecture (SOA) principles; components
can be added, upgraded, reused, or removed with minimal administration.
Components are independent units of functionality that plug into
the service container for deploying, orchestrating, and executing
services. The service container coordinates and monitors the components.
The service container can host any number of services and provides
the infrastructure necessary to discover, execute and deploy, secure,
run, and configure the services.
The service container provides a consistent way to interact with
the services within the container, repository, and enterprise integration,
regardless of the invocation method. Services can be called by using
Java APIs, web services, watched folders, or email. Service endpoints
are also exposed as destinations that RIAs can easily call.
This illustration provides a closer view of how the key product
components fit together within the server architecture.
The development area includes Workbench tools and the repository.
Development of forms and Guides (deprecated), process flows, and
related collateral is done in Workbench. The Eclipse-based development
environment can also include Flash Builder (available separately).
You can use Flash Builder to develop RIAs, create custom components
for use in Guides (deprecated), customize Workspace, and more. (See LiveCycle Workspace Help.)
The resultant design assets are stored in the repository, which
provides versioning and maintains resource dependencies. This central
storage and maintenance model promotes the reusability of artifacts,
enables developers to collaborate on application development, and
provides security within the development environment.
The common invocation layer ensures consistent interaction with
the server through various invocation methods. It supports programmatic
and non-programmatic invocation methods, including web services,
Java APIs, watched folders, and email-based invocation methods.
All of these invocation methods are available to use with any service.
LiveCycle provides integration adapters to ensure compatibility
with your enterprise back-end systems. These back-end systems include
user directories, authentication systems, ECM systems, web services,
JMS, Java Remote Method Invocation (RMI), and email.
The LiveCycle service-oriented architecture maximizes the scalability
and reusability of services. It ensures that you can easily add,
remove, and upgrade services. User authentication, service deployment,
and invocation are all managed within a common server infrastructure
to ensure system security and performance.
Using cross-platform clients, such as Adobe Reader, Flash Player,
and Adobe AIR™, you can ensure that your
applications will be easily accessible, immediately usable, and
consistent across platforms and devices.
The Adobe AIR run time lets developers use proven web technologies
to build RIAs that deploy to the desktop and run across operating
systems. Adobe AIR offers an exciting new way to engage customers
with innovative, branded, desktop applications without requiring
changes to existing technology, people, or processes.
