 |
1) Existing Data -
Vitalnet utilities import and combine data from isolated data silos.
Vitalnet prefers importing text files.
But if needed, any structured format can be imported.
2) Vitalnet Data -
The walls between data silos are now gone.
Within Vitalnet, the data are integrated into a set of record-level databases,
optimized for rapid analysis, and linked as appropriate.
3) Vitalnet Database Engine (DBE) -
In response to requests from the Vitalnet platforms,
the DBE analyzes the record-level Vitalnet Data, and
sends the results back to the Vitalnet platforms for display.
4) Vitalnet Platforms -
The desktop and browser platforms are totally menu-driven.
No programming knowledge or other special user training is needed.
All the platforms present a consistent interface to the data.
5) Vitalnet Output -
In response to the user's menu selections,
the platform displays the requested table, map, chart, data file, or text file.
6) End Result - The Vitalnet output can be printed, uploaded to a web site,
incorporated into a report, or imported into other software tools.
|
Vitalnet Platforms -
A platform receives input from the user, and displays output in response.
VitalPro
desktop platforms directly incorporate the Vitalnet DBE.
1) VitalPro for Unix and
VitalPro for DOS
are one platform, which runs under either UNIX or DOS.
The ncurses library is used to program the textual user interface (TUI).
2) VitalPro for Windows runs under Windows 98 or more recent.
The win32 API is used to program the graphical user interface (GUI).
VitalWeb
internet platforms run in essentially any browser.
To produce results, a CGI request is sent
to the Vitalnet DBE, running as a CGI server program.
3) VitalWeb Standard
is a single HTML / Javascript web page, auto-generated by a C program.
Pop-up windows help select parameters and display output.
4) VitalWeb Wizard
is a series of dynamically generated web pages.
Each web page is specially created by a CGI program, based on the user's previous selections.
Vitalnet Database Engine (DBE) and Data -
The DBE receives a query from a platform, reads the Vitalnet Data,
and sends back the needed results.
The DBE analyzes record level data, yet still produces results in seconds, even with millions of records.
The record level format provides maximum analytical flexibility.
A platform-independent data format is used,
so the same exact data files can be used on Linux, Windows, and Apple computers.
Storage space is low, for example only about 600 KB for one year of Texas death data.
Vitalnet Source Code -
Vitalnet is written in C.
Any HTML or Javascript is auto-generated by a C program.
All platforms share the same business logic and data definitions,
ensuring correct operation.
As of 12/2007, there were
2,200 functions,
80,000 lines of C source code,
and 180,000 lines in C header files.
Vitalnet is a powerful data-driven framework that can generate any
number of customized executables. To generate an executable, object attributes
are specified in Vitalnet header files. Based on the attributes, a new
executable is automatically generated for a combination of platform,
data scenario, geographic area, and customer.