Here are some of the terms that course attendees are asking Ayub to explain most in courses. We've published the 'plain English' explanations here, so that everyone can keep abreast of technologies and concepts which recruiters feel are currently in demand. They're in no particular order, just as and when attendees ask about them.
What is Business Intelligence?
A range of computer-based techniques that allow users to analyse data from a company's database (or data warehouse system) and then seek out the business trends that lie underneath. This can help many departments, from senior management to marketing, in key decision making processes. BI allows us to paint a clearer picture from the raw data that resides in our systems.
What is Jython?
Jython is a free and open scripting language that allows programmers to bring together many of the best aspects of Java and Python. For example, Java comes with a whole host of goodies (i.e. class libraries - pre-written code modules) but, although Java is superb in most situations, sometimes it can be cumbersome and long-winded. Python is typically much more leaner and meaner as a language syntax. So a Python program may be more than 50% shorter than the Java program doing the same thing. Python is excellent for fast and furious RAD (Rapid Application Development) environments. So Jython allows programmers to seamlessly merge elements of both languages, thus benefiting from the best of both worlds.
What is SSAS?
In the Microsoft SQL Server database SSAS (or SQL Server Analysis Services) is the part of the MS database that allows data mining functionality to take place for Business Intelligence purposes. It allows BI experts to design and create data visualization models without having to go to third party software to do this. In essence it is the part of SQL Server database that allows OLAP (online analytical processing) to take place.
What is SSIS? In the Microsoft SQL Server database SSIS (or SQL Server Integration Services) is the part of the MS database that allows data exporting and migration to complex data warehouse situations.
What is SSRS? In the Microsoft SQL Server database SSRS (or SQL Server Reporting Services) is the part of the MS database that allows both web-based and traditional paper-based reports to be created for data mining purposes.
What is SSNS? In the Microsoft SQL Server database SSNS (or SQL Server Notification Services) is the part of the MS database that allows administrators to send notifications and updates to users working at a range of end-user devices.
What is SOA? Service-oriented architecture (SOA) is the ability to use the Web as a platform for transactions that involve the sending and receiving of data. When the Web is used as the medium for such processes it means that there is far less rigidity in terms of which applications the data came from, or which type of device the data was sent from etc. An example could be that purchasing of items could be handled from a myriad of devices over the Web. In which case order processing, initiation of manufacturing, transportation of product could all take place without each of the disparate IT systems needing to be physically coupled.
What is WCF?
Windows Communication Foundation is the framework within .NET which allows developers to create Service Oriented Architectures (see 'What is SOA?' above) applications. It provides the end-to-end messaging capability, the security, and the contract rules by which the processes can take place.
What is WPF?
Windows Presentation Foundation is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) builder for developers who want to create bespoke screens for their clients. WPF gives more flexibility than other UI tools and languages and is ideally made for the .NET environment. One cool thing about using WPF (over something like WinForms) to create front ends is that it generates vector graphics, so that any screen generated can be scaled up or down for different devices without distortion.
What is MVC? Model-View-Controller is an incredibly abstract concept to grasp for many non-developers. Firstly it should be understood that it isn't solely a Microsoft or .NET concept. Although many recruiter's ask me about it in the context of ASP.NET MVC, the history of MVC goes back to 1979 and a guy called Trygve Reenskaug.
The philosophy can be equally applied to many other languages such as Java, JavaScript, or Ruby. So rather than a 'technology' we need to think of MVC as a 'way of thinking'. A development framework or philosophy is more apt. Simply put, it urges developers to construct programs with the holy trinity of
'Model' - the basic structure of the code. The object or core. So in a website for example, HTML would be the foundation for building the core model.
'View' - This is a visual representation of the essence of the model. So in a web site written in HTML. We could use CSS to provide the cool skin to our HTML.
'Controller' - It is the software, tool, or technology that allows the user to view and interact with the above two layers. So in a web site, a browser software (such as Firefox) would be deemed the 'controller' in the MVC construct.
Just like OO programming, MVC is a way of thinking about program construction. Either your developers will know what you mean when you ask about MVC, and will site examples, or they won't have a clue. Fairly simple from a recruitment perspective.
What is NAS? Network Attached Storage is a newer way of connecting data storage entities to your IT system. Unlike an
external hard drive or USB device, NAS systems don’t attach to computers, but rather directly to the network’s router. What this means is that there is immediate access to the data via any device that can attach to the router. It also overcomes the issues associated with platform and OS compatibility.
What are OLAP and MOLAP Cubes and Hypercubes? Online Analytical Proessing is a set of tools and techniques used within Busines Intelligence to anlayse multi-dimensional data (data of different types and/or from different sources). It enables CxO, marketing and sales departments to visualise meta-data (data about data) and make clearer decisions. Very often the data that is being analysed is in the form of charts on spreadsheets. So the data is essentially two dimensional. i.e. toys sold versus time of year. However in BI we may need to get more sophisticated with our anlaysis and so would want to cross-reference this with a third variable, i.e. toys sold versus time of year versus store location. This makes it a 3D cube of analysis. If we add more dimensions we get a 'hypercube'. When we get multi-dimensional we tend to use the MOLAP ( Multi-dimensional OLAP)
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