Applet - program written in Java language running in WWW environment. Code of applets is transported through the network and running in the Java capable browser on the client machine. Applets will be specific case of client application.
Central Server - part of the system which task is to pass events between demons according to established Virtual Connections. Central Server maintains a connection to the database storing user profiles, privileges and all system events.
Client Application - each of the applications residing on participant host and connected to the collaboratory system. Client applications are connected to the system with use socket connection to the demon. Client applications communicate with each other with use of application-specific protocols. The collaboratory system passes the messages to all the applications of the same type belonging to one virtual connection.
Control Application - one of client applications. Its task is to provide user with graphical interface to the system. Control application will allow to launch other application on local and remote hosts and change parameters of already running applications. Control application will display all virtual connections user has rights to see according to the privileges.Demon - part of the system residing on each participant's host. Its task is to connect client applications to the system.
Database - database connected to the Central Server and used to store persistent data about users and all system events.
Event - client applications share their state by transmitting application specific events through the system. Applications define the events themselves.
Participant - each user which is currently connected to the system. Participants can use Client Applications according to rights granted by the system.
User - each person which has rights to connect to the system. Information about Users, including their rights is stored in the Database. User becomes a Participant when he/she connects to the system.
Communication System - collaborative environment used to transport events between client applications. System consists of demons, central server and database.
Virtual connection - abstract link connecting client applications and providing means of passing application specific events
Session - abstract grouping of instances of particular type of application, created to enable collaborative work. Session may contain one or more application instances. When session contains single application instance it is running locally in single user mode. When session contains more application instances all of them communicate to enable collaborative work. Session information is maintained in database, and used by Central Server to replicate incoming messages.
AID - application or applet id
UID - user id
HID - host id
AT - application type
SID - session id
CA - control application
CS - central server
LD -local demon
AD - applet demon