The logic that drives Oracle’s applications development software division is the need to make it easier for programmers and users to use Oracle products. As such software packages such as J Developer make strategic business sense as the user will have everything they need. That way they engender a type of brand loyalty since given the ability to create applications that can run on Oracle products, the end user will not feel the need to rely on other brand products to satisfy their needs.

J Developer is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that developers can use to create applications. The integrated features of this Oracle software can prop up the entire life development cycle of the application The main advantages of this IDE lie in the fact that its completely free of charge and offers development features in HTML, SQL, XML Java, JavaScript, PHP and BPEL. Oracles J Developer simplifies the whole process of application development by offering the developer a more declarative and visual approach to the whole process. This visual, declarative approach of the J Developer lets programmers visually alter code layout and properties by simply regenerating key code components.

There area a variety of benefits that application developer’s can enjoy by simply using J Developer. Firstly, this free Oracle software is compatible some of the more popular open-source tools and frameworks. It is slightly similar in design to other popular IDEs such as Visual studio and Netbeans. This simply means that the learning curve is simplified and programmers that are familiar with other IDEs will find it relatively easy to use J Developer. The close knit nature of the IDE also means it’s easy to integrate underlying database components; be it data or objects, into the application code. Thanks to the visual component of J Developer, making alterations to code is also simplified.

There are a number of platforms that Java application developers can opt to use when building applications, including eclipse, Netbeans and J Developer. Most developers however, would directly opt for J Developer. Aside from the above practical advantages, this Oracle software also offers the developer functional advantages along with simplicity. J Developer dual functionality also allows for the development of desktop apps along with Java based applications. Furthermore, it comes in several editions that give the developer choice in terms of what functionalities to install. After all it would be a waste of time (and more importantly space) to install features that are most likely never going to be used.

The main challenge when trying to fix WebLogic Server and memory issues is getting processes in place one at a time to handle the problem until the system becomes more stable. The next step involves you changing your process so as to enable it to incorporate best practices in your development life cycle which helps you avoid similar problems in the future. Technical commitment to the project is required when trying to identify and solve the issues at hand. Solving your WebLogic Server and memory issues requires you to begin your efforts with the fundamentals. It is generally recommended that you think about creating small independent work groups to kick start WebLogic Server and memory issue repairs in the following areas:

JAVA:   This is the foundation of the WebLogic server application. The best place to get information on a poorly performing application is from that application itself. Start by getting thread dumps from your applications then move on to profiling the memory.

Networking: Most modern applications use a network. As such when searching for the cause of the problem it is important to remember to look at the network. Placing a NIC card in promiscuous mode or using TCP dumps can assist you in establishing network related problems. Looking at all the layers in the network including NICS’s (Network Interface cards) on boxes, Load Balancers, firewalls and any other traffic routing applications is also a good idea.

N- Tier: N-Tier applications typically depend on other systems. As such having a good understanding or familiarizing yourself on how all applications work assist you in trouble shooting issues by looking at the big picture.

Operating systems: Since applications run on operating systems, performance issues can be the result of improperly configured systems. Looking for systems logs, CPU context switches, full disks and memory use helps identify operating system related signs of WebLogic Server and memory performance issues.

Databases: If your application uses a database it is important to keep an eye on the database and its processes for potential issues related to long running quires and log files.

In more cases than not WebLogic server and memory performances issues can be found in one of the above fundamental areas. Understanding these key fundamental areas plays a huge role in helping to successfully identify and solve application problems.

Step One: Downloading the plug in

This step involves you downloading and extracting the plug in (which will be in .zip format) some where on your computer. Once you have accomplished this, the next thing you need to do is open the containing folder then locate the plug-ins in the Windows “win\32” folder. The “win\32” folder will contain more than one version of the plug in. In order to select the right one you will need to follow Oracle’s Apaches configuration table 3-2. Once you’ve determined and located the appropriate plug-in the next thing you need to do is copy it on to the APACHE_HOME\modules folder.

Step Two: Editing the httpd.comf file

The httpd.comf file needs to be edited after successful installation of the plug in. In order to do this you need to locate the installation directory, open the “conf” folder and double click on the file to open it. The file you require should open in Notepad. If this does not happen you can alternatively open Notepad first then try accessing the file from there. Once you have accomplished this you need to add the line “LoadModule weblogic_module modules\mod_wl_20.so to the file so as to ensure that the Oracle WebLogic Server modules will be included in the Apache web server.

Step Three: Defining web logic parameters

The next step involves you defining Oracle WebLogic Server parameters by entering an IfModule to block the file. For configuration of a clustered WebLogic server you will be required to define only the WebLogic Cluster parameter. In cases where the WebLogic Server is not clustered you will need to define both the WebLogic Port parameters as well as the WebLogic Host parameters.

To do this you will need to type in <IfModule mod_weblogic.c> on the first line. On the second line you will need to enter: WebLogicHost myweblogic.server.com (Replacing “myweblogic.server.com” with your actual server). On the third line type in: WebLogicPort 5001, (similarly replacing the WebLogic port number for the actual one). The last step to defining WebLogic parameters requires you to close the block by typing <IfModule>.

Step Four: Setting up proxy request.

This is the final step to configure Apache Web Server to work with Oracle WebLogic Server. To proxy request by MIME enter the line MatchExpression to the IfModule block (e.g. “MatchExpression *.abc”.

Step One: The first thing you need to do is enlist yourself for computer application courses. This is so as to enable you to attain knowledge on systems architecture so as to learn how to use a WebLogic server in addition to the various systems related to it. Based on you current experience, it is probably a good idea to start of by learn or refreshing yourself on the basics before taking up an actual applications coarse.

Step Two: Once you’re made the decision to take up the WebLogic course the next step involves you identifying a suitable learning institution or school. It is probably a good idea to take your time researching your options so as to ensure you select the best option that not only fits you needs and requirements but integrates well with your life or daily schedule. Once you’ve identified and school signed your self up for the course the next phase involves you delving in to the Web Logic program framework and all its enhancements and abbreviations.

Step Three: This step comes towards the end of your WebLogic course studies and involves one getting a better feel for the WebLogic architect career through vital hands on experience gained from internship. In order for you to get a good serious stable position in the field you will need at the very least one year of entry level experience as a WebLogic assistant. Your university or college career center can be a great help in pointing you in the right direction.

Step Four: This step involves you diversifying your educational background as so to enable you to become a WebLogic architect. Learning about information sources such as web services, mainframe applications and databases is a good start.         

Step Five: Familiarize yourself with script involved in WebLogic. You should be well versed in factors that contribute or cause system failures or errors and have a good understanding of the different kinds of servers that support WebLogic design. Familiarize yourself with web portals, how they relate to WebLogic and how these relations can affect your clients.  Staying up to date with technological advancements through obtaining the latest BEA systems software is also a vital part of becoming a good WebLogic architect.

However, as with everything, there is always need for change. A legacy system may present problems and limitations to the organization, and stubbornly holding on to it may result in major repercussions, not only for the organization, but also the users who interact with it.

One of the limitations of many a legacy system is the fact that it runs on old hardware, which may be obsolete. This can result in a lack of efficiency in that the legacy system in question may be too slow with relation to processing speed demands. Even finding spare components to replace those that may have gotten spoilt may be extremely difficult. Furthermore, though said spare components are found, constantly maintaining a legacy system can be counterproductive in the fact that the profits generated would have to be ploughed back into a depreciating asset.

However, should the owners of the legacy system be dead set on using the system, they may be lucky enough to manage to find a method of integrating current hardware technology with the system. Usually there are emulators and backward compatible components that can aid in doing so, allowing the legacy system to live to fight another battle.

Regardless of finding a way to keep the legacy system online though, there would normally be problems with regards to maintaining it other than the hardware aspect. This is due to the fact that the creators of the legacy system (usually belonging to the previous generation) have probably left the organization, or have forgotten the system specifics. It is even more so difficult if they left inadequate or no documentation behind on the legacy system. Thus, if a problem develops that cannot be solved; it can have unprecedented drawbacks because no one would be able to solve it.

Due to the fact that it is usually built on out dated technology, a legacy system may prove to be fertile playing ground for hackers galore. This is especially tempting if the legacy system governs a nuclear power plant, airport control system or even military facility. The fact that information technology has significantly developed, it would be child’s play to find the workings of a legacy system. It can even be worse, if the attack is orchestrated by those within the organization who know the limitations of the legacy system in terms of security.

With that in mind, organizations not willing to lose these old generation systems choose to try and bring them into the future with the help of current technology – especially with regards to the hardware aspect. If there were a way to emulate the legacy system while using current technology, it would make the process of legacy integration easier. Also, if it were possible to use technology that can allow legacy systems to interact with modern hardware components, then legacy integration would be made practically effortless for the experienced software technician.

However, in spite of how these methods of legacy integration sound simple and inviting, there are several obstacles that typically present themselves. For starters, considering that the creators and designers of the legacy system may not be there anymore to assist with the system, it may be difficult to fully understand the system.

Furthermore, after years of maintenance, upgrading and several changes, the system will not be as it was originally designed, and the documentation if any may not be complete, or may even be out dated. This makes the task of legacy integration even more complicated. It brings to question, which aspects will need to altered or forgone altogether, and at what risk.

Another aspect to keep in mind before performing a legacy integration procedure is to ensure that the data will similarly be integrated. Any loss of data would be unacceptable considering that it cannot be replaced. Especially data that is decades old. Furthermore the destination system of the legacy integration must be able to handle the data. This means that it must be able to freely manipulate all aspects of the data, ensuring continuity in the system.

In addition, the legacy integration procedure must ensure that all parts of the system are still connected. Any “terminal” that interacts with the system, must still be able to attach itself to the system, and be able to complete the original tasks that it used to perform before the legacy integration.

Furthermore, security on the new system must be top notch, security breaches cannot be tolerated. Before the legacy integration, legacy systems may be vulnerable to current hacking methods and thus the new system must be able to protect the system from these issues. There will also be sections of the system that will have to be significantly altered to attain this result.

Legacy systems are computer components that are still in use despite the fact that they are running on old technology, including old school hardware features. They are still used because they form a large, rather bulky yet very important part of the organization in terms of the work they get done, and also their complexity. Furthermore the costs an organization would incur should they attempt to switch to a newer system are exorbitant enough to be discouraging. Therefore replacing a legacy system can turn out to be costly both monetarily and also productively.

With that in mind, organizations not willing to lose these old generation systems choose to try and bring them into the future with the help of current technology – especially with regards to the hardware aspect. If there were a way to emulate the legacy system while using current technology, it would make the process of legacy integration easier. Also, if it were possible to use technology that can allow legacy systems to interact with modern hardware components, then legacy integration would be made practically effortless for the experienced software technician.

However, in spite of how these methods of legacy integration sound simple and inviting, there are several obstacles that typically present themselves. For starters, considering that the creators and designers of the legacy system may not be there anymore to assist with the system, it may be difficult to fully understand the system.

Furthermore, after years of maintenance, upgrading and several changes, the system will not be as it was originally designed, and the documentation if any may not be complete, or may even be out dated. This makes the task of legacy integration even more complicated. It brings to question, which aspects will need to altered or forgone altogether, and at what risk.

Another aspect to keep in mind before performing a legacy integration procedure is to ensure that the data will similarly be integrated. Any loss of data would be unacceptable considering that it cannot be replaced. Especially data that is decades old. Furthermore the destination system of the legacy integration must be able to handle the data. This means that it must be able to freely manipulate all aspects of the data, ensuring continuity in the system.

In addition, the legacy integration procedure must ensure that all parts of the system are still connected. Any “terminal” that interacts with the system, must still be able to attach itself to the system, and be able to complete the original tasks that it used to perform before the legacy integration.

Furthermore, security on the new system must be top notch, security breaches cannot be tolerated. Before the legacy integration, legacy systems may be vulnerable to current hacking methods and thus the new system must be able to protect the system from these issues. There will also be sections of the system that will have to be significantly altered to attain this result.

The main challenge when trying to fix WebLogic Server performance and memory issues is getting processes in place one at a time to handle the problem until the system becomes more stable. The next step involves you changing your process so as toincorporate best practices in your development life cycle, which may help you avoid similar problems in the future. Technical commitment to the project is required when trying to identify and solve the issues at hand. Solving your WebLogic Server performance and memory issues requires you to begin your efforts with the fundamentals. It is generally recommended that you think about creating small independent work groups to kick start WebLogic Server performance and memory use improvements in the following areas:

Java:   This is the foundation of the WebLogic server application. The best place to get information on a poorly performing application is from that application itself. Start by getting thread dumps from your applications, then move on to profiling the memory.

Networking: Most modern applications use a network. As such, when searching for the cause of the problem, it is important to remember to look at the network. Placing a NIC card in promiscuous mode or using TCP dumps can assist you in establishing network related problems. Looking at all the layers in the network including NICs (Network Interface Cards) on boxes, Load Balancers, firewalls and any other traffic routing applications is also a good idea.

N- Tier: N-Tier applications typically depend on other systems. As such, having a good understanding or familiarizing yourself on how all applications work assist you in trouble shooting issues by looking at the big picture.

Operating systems: Since applications run on operating systems, performance issues can be the result of improperly configured systems. Looking for systems logs, CPU context switches, full disks and memory use helps identify operating system related signs of WebLogic Server performance and memory utilization issues.

Databases: If your application uses a database it is important to keep an eye on the database and its processes for potential issues related to long running queries and log files.

In more cases than not, WebLogic server and memory performances issues can be found in one of the above fundamental areas. Understanding these key fundamental areas plays a huge role in helping to successfully identify and solve application problems.

I’m sure there is a reason why we don’t point out that making use of reusable code is one of the best safeguards against WebLogic Server performance problems, because reusable code has already been tested. Tools like ResQSoft® Engineer make extensive use of reusable code to reduce bugs and improve software performance, by testing and refining the code from one project to the next.

Have you ever watched some of those live-drama,‭ ‬police operation documentaries or films back in the‭ ‬1980‭’‬s,‭ ‬1990‭’‬s and early‭ ‬2000,‭ ‬where in a scene you find a cop tagging the owner of a vehicle and identifying a criminal merely by punching an ID on a hand-held unit or a small computer system mounted‭ ‬in‭ ‬the police car‭?

Back then,‭ ‬it may have seemed like a leap in technological prowess for the law enforcement agencies.‭ ‬The shocking truth, however,‭ ‬is that the system that facilitated the flow of information from State Law Enforcement offices to the police units in the field‭ ‬was probably dependent on aging programs that were developed decades earlier.‭

Before choosing to modernize these aging systems,‭ ‬police and military agencies kept different records‭ (‬both paper and digital‭) ‬for known offenders,‭ ‬convicted felons,‭ ‬including data on juveniles and those on parole.‭ ‬Eventually the systems give rise to a potential risk that,‭ ‬if left unchecked and mishandled,‭ ‬questions are raised concerning the accuracy and the duplication of unorganized data,‭ ‬questions that could ultimately affect civilian security activities and public safety,‭ ‬in the long run.‭

The solution‭ ‬-‭ ‬modernize those legacy systems.‭

Today,‭ ‬some of these obsolete or legacy systems have been given an overhaul,‭ ‬and have been modernized for more robust integration with other state agency information systems,‭ ‬which includes the correlation of data from prison institutions,‭ ‬parole and even the justice department and courts systems,‭ ‬as well as revenue systems and social services‭; ‬all-in-all to offer a faster,‭ ‬more accessible,‭ ‬and more accurate sharing of information for police units,‭ ‬to better serve and protect the public.

In a push for developing a more comprehensive system for law protection agencies and the justice department,‭ ‬IT personnel from different states have started drafting plans to modernize the other sectors in the police and military departments that would allow:

1. Faster and more accurate web-interface and cross-referencing of offender management systems.‎
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2. On-demand accessibility and global sharing of important security data.

3. Disaster recovery and more secure offsite-backups with‎ ‏99.9%‎ ‏availability or better,‭ ‬24/7.

4. Active user groups and better channels for police units to report and for citizens to read on important information from their local security agencies.

5. Cost-effective solutions to upgrade and maintain new systems,‎ ‏after modernizing them.

This new tactical and strategic approach will help facilitate information not only on past or current offender data,‭ ‬but will also provide crucial details‭ ‬on all the interactions of offenders with State government agencies,‭ ‬upon demand.‭ ‬The old systems are simply too difficult to interface well with one another.

Modernizing legacy applications is a fast and proven method to making sure you keep the critical data from your existing system,‭ ‬while reaping the benefits and savings of a newer and more modern system.‭ ‬Law Enforcement Agencies‭ ‬who have done so‭ ‬have certainly benefited from these efforts.‭

Firstly, the organization must inquire and decide on the legacy migration method they wish to carry out. There are several legacy migration methods that organizations can choose from; straight migration, migration by extension and upgrade inclusion migration.

Should they choose to perform a straight migration, they will be moving the current legacy system as it is, without any upgrades whatsoever to the system. This method of legacy migration is mostly done by an organization that is completely satisfied with their system and how it handles operations. It focuses mostly on improving efficiency in terms of performance of the system and reducing the maintenance costs of the legacy system.

Another method of legacy migration is by extension. Regardless of whether the organization is completely satisfied with the current system, there may be a component that cannot be upgraded and thus requires an additional aspect added to the legacy system. With the system running inefficiently, there is cost to the organization. An extension to the system makes the legacy system more cost effective.

And finally there is legacy migration with the inclusion of an upgrade. Unlike that of the extension, the features of the legacy system are moved into the new system, and some new features are added on. Furthermore, the old features are reviewed. Usually this is done because the objectives that the legacy system was reaching have significantly changed and requires the upgrades to capture the entire scope of change. Another reason could be that the inefficiency of the legacy system’s features bite into the profits of the organization. Upgrading would result in more cost efficient running of the system.

In addition to establishing which method of performing legacy migration there are other aspects of the legacy system that should be captured before performing the legacy migration. It should be identified, i.e. the users that will come into contact with the system. One should question whether they will all be able to complete what they need to after the legacy migration. Establishing their roles comes in second to identifying them. Sometimes, without identifying those who are significant to the system, it can be migrated and the wrong audience is considered making the legacy migration an entire flop. Then comes those who are not to be included into the system even after the legacy migration. This is the system security aspects. There should be no loopholes to the system that will allow unauthorized entry to the system. Identifying these parties will simplify blocking any routes for infiltrating the system.