The Web browser has become the standard, universal, intuitive interface, replacing both GUI and text based interfaces as the interface of choice. Yet there are many applications written using GUI or text based interfaces, and those applications represent a huge investment in time and money. Many businesses are completely reliant on those applications, yet are under pressure to provide or use the new browser based interface instead.

Redeveloping those applications into the browser environment, allows those applications to be rejuvenated, and allows the time, money and investment that those applications represent to be retained. Yet attempting to Web enable those applications, without using a powerful, effective, and affordable toolkit, is very time consuming and expensive.

Freedombase allows those existing applications to be ported to the Web in a fast, effective, and affordable manner. When ported using Freedombase, the existing GUI or text interfaces can still be used, and can still be extended if necessary. The Web browser interface can also be developed and extended as required, without requiring changes to the GUI or text interface. The browser interface can be developed rapidly to replace the existing GUI or text interface, or can be developed more slowly over time as resources become available.

Porting existing applications to the Web can be an important step to rejuvenating those applications, and making certain they remain saleable or useable well into the 21st Century. This tutorial introduces Web enabling existing applications using Freedombase.

Please be aware that you can also create entirely new browser based applications, using Freedombase. This tutorial only looks at Web enabling existing applications. Please see the other tutorials for information on creating new applications.

Please also be aware that the terminology used within Freedombase, and generally within these tutorials, may be a little different to the terminology you are used to using. Generally Class means Table or File; Attribute means Field or Column; and System is similar to Application or Account. This tutorial mixes the terminology.

It is recommended that you work your way through the Introduction to the Freedombase Designer tutorial first, and the Getting Started tutorial second, before working your way through any other tutorials. These two tutorials introduce you to the fundamental principles of Freedombase, and will make it easier and faster to understand the other tutorials.