Here is a table of some of the attributes of some of the methods for
developing host-client services for computational biology that I
recently put together. It may be of use to you and others contemplating
services such as access to various databases. I'm sure that it is
incomplete and welcome comments. -- Don
Some Client-Server Protocols for computational biology services
Term Terminal session with server computer.
Mail Electronic Mail exchange
Tel.Serv. Define a new Telnet service (like SMTP, FTP, NNTP, POP, ...)
X-Win X-Windows
Attributes:
Client software tailored to service (each Mac/PC must have special software)
Term Can be
Mail Preferred
Tel.Serv. Required
X-Win. No (? just X-window "server" on Mac/PC/Unix workstation)
Current range of users with hardware and access to service
Term Widest
Mail Wide
Tel.Ser Medium (growing -- tcp/ip network access)
X-Win. Limited (growing)
Interactive
Term Yes
Mail No
Tel.Serv. Yes
X-Win. Yes
File or data transfer
Term client or special software (ftp, kermit, copy/paste)
Mail client software must handle
Tel.Serv. client software must handle
X-Win. ??? client software or copy/paste?
Graphics
Term encoded or special (e.g., Tektronics)
Mail encoded
Tel.Serv. encoded
X-Win. Yes
(encoded means text format such as HPGL, Postscript that must be translated
by client software to display; client terminal software often includes
Tektronics emulation for graphics)
Fixed client-server protocol
Term Sort of (user manual)
Mail Yes
Tel.Serv. Yes
X-Win. No
(Fixed means that client software must be updated w/ each change to service
protocols)
Special features or problems
Term old standby, dial-up service is possible
Mail can't reliably return mail directly to Mac/PC
Tel.Serv. client needs tcp/ip network connection, ???
X-Win. tcp/ip network, high network overhead, new technology
Example software
Term GCG on Vax, HyperGCG stack
Mail Genbank Search Hypercard stack
Tel.Serv. POP, NNTP, SMTP, FTP, etc. with Mac/PC clients (HyperFTP,
Net Newsreaders, POP mail ...)
X-Win. Worm Community System, Fly data browser
--
Don Gilbert gilbert at bio.indiana.edu
biocomputing office, biology dept., indiana univ., bloomington, in 47405
