Curl Makes Web Content More Interactive

By Richard Karpinski

Curl Corp. next week will deliver a software platform that lets companies build Web applications that shift processing power back to the user desktop.

The Curl Client/Web Platform includes a runtime engine, a visual development environment, and a full-scale client-side programming language, all designed to help enterprises build more rich, dynamic client-side applications.

Tools to build executable, rich-client applications are suddenly red hot, with companies including Macromedia (with Flash), Altio, Esual, and others competing to encourage companies to build more interactive and intelligent Web applications.

Curl believes its new programming language—originally developed as a project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—and new tools separate it from the pack.

"Many of our competitors are using older technologies to solve this problem," said David Kranz, Curl's founder and chief architect. "There's nothing wrong with Java and C++, but [as a client-side solution] they are kludgy at best and not at all easy to deal with."

Curl's biggest challenge will be getting its runtime engine—which checks in at just under 4 Mbytes(s)—onto user's desktops. Curl starts with an installed base of just about zero, while Macromedia claims Flash runs on almost 99 percent of user desktops while Java virtual machines remain widely deployed.

For that reason, Curl is initially targeting intranet and extranet environments, where companies have greater control of the client desktop. Once the run-time is installed, application downloads become minisculeSiemens AG, for instance, delivers its entire executive Web dashboard app in just 37 Kbytes(s).

Curl execs also stress that the platform works with Web and application servers. "This is not a replacement technology," said Kranz. "People have spent a lot of money on infrastructure; Curl is an easy extension to what is already there."

The Curl Client/Web Platform's runtime environment includes a just-in-time compiler for executing content on the fly, as well as a multimedia engine for creating rich user interfaces. An integrated XML parser moves data from any database and into the Curl environment. The platform also includes an integrated development environment that developers can use to write application logic and integrate Curl apps with back-end systems.

The platform also includes Atomization, a compression technology for the Curl runtime environment; a visual GUI editor, for application design; and security features that allow users to control access to system data and resources.

The Curl Client/Web Platform is available now; pricing starts at $25,000.