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Building Tools

Component Architectures

Your workflow infrastructure falls conveniently into two main kinds of components:

•  Frameworks that control things.

•  Tools that do things.

The frameworks or control mechanisms decide what is processed, when it happens, and how it’s done. The “how” part of the equation is implemented as a series of tools or components.

Microsoft PowerShell uses this approach where you can create commandlets, providers, snap-ins, or services. UNIX uses this approach by virtue of its command line utilities and pipes. Mac OS X uses its GUI applications as component tools that it can send AppleEvents via its AppleScript infrastructure.

The Importance of Sticking to Guidelines

If you are building your workflow around ...

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