Data access, security, simplified development functions enabled through new offerings Developer tools for SMBs and enterprises will be posted to IBM’s alphaWorks site on June 30, with the offerings geared toward automated development, data access and security.The alphaWorks site features pre-released, experimental technologies that may or may not be released as full products eventually. Developers have free access to tools on the site.One tool, the Web Access Data Client Developer, generates Web-based data access to databases such as IBM Cloudscape. An Eclipse plug-in, the tool was developed by university students as part of IBM’s Extreme Blue internship program. “It’s kind of a forms-based approach to access data from a database,” via a Web client, said Gina Poole, IBM vice president of developer relations.Another tool set, the Security Lifecycle Management Tools for IBM Tivoli Access Manager, enables users of Rational tools to build applications that link to SSO (single sign-on) functions provided by the Tivoli offering. “This is a set of code samples that exploit the plug-in interfaces of the Eclipse framework,” Poole said. The Security Lifecycle Tools also plug into Eclipse.The Availability Monitoring Toolkit being introduced enables developers to check availability of resources such as messaging middleware or an application server when developing an application to leverage these technologies. It, too, is an Eclipse plug-in. ADIEU (Ad hoc Development and Integration tool for End users), meanwhile, provides forms-like, simplified development. “It requires no knowledge of Java or J2EE,” Poole said. Developers can build Web services and applications using a collection of “cards,” which provide single-function applications in a forms-based environment, according to IBM. Software DevelopmentDevelopment Tools