What is the GBC?

The Genero Browser Client (GBC) delivers your applications over the Web using the latest technologies for Web application development.

The GBC is a JavaScript client that works with well-known and widely-used frameworks like node.js and sass. Its UI is adapted from concepts of material design inspired by recommendations from Google's material design Web site. This innovative design approach opens up limitless possibilities for you to customize the GBC features and styles according to your requirements.

The GBC allows you to deliver true Web applications developed in the Genero Business Development Language (BDL). With the underlying source written in Genero BDL, the GBC is flexible enough to let you build a full range of Web applications, from simple to corporate applications, with few limitations on what you can achieve.

GBC brings Genero applications to the Internet world with the capacity of integration in a Web site. It provides you with the opportunity of working with state of the art Web technologies.

Why deliver an application as a Web application?

  • Web application deployment is easier and cheaper than desktop application deployment.
  • The end user simply needs a browser. No software needs to be installed on the client by the end user.

GBC principles

GBC has evolved from the earlier Genero Web Client for HTML5. The earlier client used templates and snippet sets to create dynamic Web pages that were rendered on the Application Server for delivery to the client browser. The GBC on the other hand is a JavaScript client. It supports Genero real-time Web applications based on the following principles:

  • Nothing is computed or rendered on the Application Server side.
  • Genero applications are rendered based on DVM instructions (not HTML).
  • GBC interprets the same protocol as Genero Desktop Client (GDC) to build Web interfaces.
  • GBC standard version is directly bundled with FGLGWS package.
  • GBC project sources (JavaScript, HTML and CSS) are available from the download area. You can modify and adapt these to customize your application's features and styles to meet your needs.

GBC can deliver an application to any device, as long as your browser supports HTML5.

GBC and the Genero Application Server

Developing and deploying Web applications requires you to configure the Genero Application Server to launch the application. Existing applications may require some slight modifications in order to work properly given the limitations of what an application can do from a browser. A general knowledge of how the Genero Browser Client operates can be helpful in the planning and deploying of Web applications.

For more information about configuring the Genero Application Server to launch Web applications, see the Genero Application Server User Guide.