Web systems integration
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In today's interconnected web, systems integration grows ever more important. Every organisation needs to bring together data and services from a variety of sources, and written in a variety of programming languages. M887 describes in detail, with sample programs, a number of technologies central to developing integrated internet-based applications. These include enterprise servers that provide the backbone of an organisation's IT provision; XML and JSON which are the main ways of exchanging information between programs; SOAP and REST which are the two chief paradigms for web services; and the impact on systems integration of open source and cloud computing.
Course facts
A postgraduate course in Computing and ICT.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | M887 |
| Credits | 15 |
| OU Level | Postgraduate |
| SCQF level | 11 |
| FHEQ level | 7 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
M887 will give you the skills necessary to participate in an integration project, introduce you to a range of integration technologies and enable you to apply object-oriented development skills to the integration process. You may already be:
- a software designer in industry or commerce
- a programmer in industry or commerce
- a project manager who wishes to understand the nature of integration-based software development for the internet or intranets
- someone who has studied one of our undergraduate or postgraduate programming courses that uses Java, and who now wishes to broaden their understanding, particularly in regard to web-based applications, interoperability between languages, and system integration.
The languages used in the module are Java and Python. Java is the most prevalent mainstream programming language and Python is a popular and growing scripting language. No previous knowledge of Python is assumed but a reasonable working knowledge of Java is essential. An important theme running through the course is how parts of an application written in different programming languages can interoperate and this is demonstrated throughout with Java and Python.
The enterprise server used is Oracle's Glassfish 3, the first server to implement Java Enterprise Edition 6 (Java EE 6) and the practical activities introduce some of the key features introduced in EE6. Towards the end of the course we look at the Google App Engine, which supports both Java and Python, and how to develop simple applications that can be deployed to the cloud.
Although the course has a strong practical element it also explores in depth the main ideas and models that lie behind system integration and takes stock of current developments and the changes that are likely in the next few years.
Integration, the overarching theme of M887, involves the construction of a system by means of composing it from prewritten components. This is radically different from the way that many systems have been developed in the past, where often all the software engineering processes have been carried out from scratch, with virtually no reuse. Integration is about bringing together existing services and resources for a faster, more reliable and more cost-effective development process.
The topics covered in this course are:
Technologies You will read about a number of important technologies used in integration.
Languages An important component in any integration project are the languages used to join together the various software components that make up an integrated system. In this course we introduce Python and show how it interoperates with Java.
Models There are a number of integration models that are available to the developer. In M887 you will examine a number of them.
Business process ideas An advanced way of developing an integrated system is via a consideration of business processes. This part of the course looks at one business process definition language and how it is applied to integration.
XML and JSON These are standardisation technologies that let applications exchange machine-readable information.
You'll be provided with an integrated development environment (IDE) for the practical work. The IDE supports both the languages – Java and Python – used in thecourse and itself illustrates how increasingly software is developed in an environment that explicitly supports integration. As mentioned already you must have reasonable Java programming skills but do not need to know Python, which is introduced from scratch and you should be able to gain a working knowledge of the language from what is taught in the course.
This course is presented online in web format. Printable versions of the materials are also available to download from the M887 website.
Entry
There are no entry requirements, but we do assume that you have already studied to HNC/HND level or have equivalent experience from your employment. You should either have taken one of our undergraduate or postgraduate programming courses that uses Java or have at least one year’s solid industrial programming experience in an object oriented programming language such as Java, C++, C, C#, Objective C, Eiffel, or Smalltalk.
The practical work in this couse assumes a solid knowledge of Java. If you feel you may not have the necessary Java skills required for this course then we would advise you to either take an industrial training course or the following undergraduate course: Putting Java to work (M257). If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You do need to have a reasonable standard of spoken and written English to study successfully with us. Poor language skills will make study more difficult, and it will take longer. The normal requirements for English language skills are explained on our website.
If you have any doubts about whether your level of English is good enough for you to study this course you may find it helpful to look at our Skills for OU Study site.
Discount for Open University Graduates
If you are a graduate of the Open University (holding either an undergraduate or masters degree) you are eligible for a discount of £100 towards the cost of this course. You can claim this discount when you register, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
M887 is a compulsory module in our:
- Postgraduate Diploma in Networks and Distributed Systems (E18)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Software Development (D69)
- MSc in Networks and Distributed Systems (F42)
- MSc in Software Development (F26)
M887 is an optional module in our:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Computing (C69)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Management (C49)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Computing for Commerce and Industry (C02)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems (E10)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Software Projects (E19)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Technology Management (E08)
- MSc in Computing for Commerce and Industry (F05)
- MSc in Information Systems (F37)
- MSc in Management of Software Projects (F43)
- MSc in Technology Management (F36)
Some postgraduate qualifications allow study to be chosen from other subject areas. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are available as a series of web pages and should be accessible using screen readers. Please note that a screen reader will start from the top-left of the page and read along in lines, this means that it will read out the buttons and links in the main body of the web pages.
If you are a new student, or new to study using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
NetBeans integrated development environment provided on CD-ROM, online materials available from the M877 website, downloadable practical activities, optional online forums.
You will need
Access to the internet is essential, since the study materials are only available from the M877 website. You also need to use the internet to submit your assignments.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will be responsible for monitoring your progress on the course, marking and commenting on your written work and whom you can contact for advice and guidance. There is usually a lively student online forum. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
You will take your examination in one of the University’s examination centres.
Professional recognition
BCS - The Chartered Institute for IT offers exemption from some of its membership requirements for holders of an appropriate MSc in Computing from the Open University. M887 can form part of such an MSc. For more details ask you can download our Recognition leaflet 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy. BCS regulations are on their website.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in May 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
Course facts
A postgraduate course in Computing and ICT.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | M887 |
| Credits | 15 |
| OU Level | Postgraduate |
| SCQF level | 11 |
| FHEQ level | 7 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Study explained
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- Credits
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- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
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