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About FirstClass Application Services 3.0
FirstClassｮ Application Services (FCAS) is a FirstClass module that sits on your FirstClass server similar to Internet Services and Voice Services. It is part of a single, integrated system based on the FirstClass core architecture. For FCAS system requirements and installation procedures, see the instructions located on your FirstClass Desktop.
FCAS provides features and functionality identical to FirstClass RAD 2.6, and can run in a distributed environment. This allows you to run FCAS on a dedicated computer or as a clustered service, as required for high load sites. FCAS extends the functionality of the FirstClass server by using applications resident on the server machine. These applications can be accessed and developed using the FirstClass client and standard FirstClass documents. This method lets the application access to the resources and databases available on the core server without requiring their installation or configuration on client machines.
Developing an FCAS application once makes it available on all supported FirstClass platforms. Since you have access to the FirstClass environment, you can, among other actions, tie into a database in order to create users on FirstClass, change permissions, or access levels inside the FirstClass system.
To create FCAS applications, you must create the required forms using FirstClass Designer, then (using the BASIC language) program the event procedures for the objects on the forms in FCAS.
Uses for FCAS applications
There are many ways you can use FCAS applications to enhance your FirstClass site's functionality. For example, you can create intranet applications, database interfaces, and a variety of other applications to distribute to your users without having to install them on individual client machines.
Examples of FCAS applications include
� letting users see their disk usage
� linking to customer, contact, and, sales databases
� integrating user information with external databases
� extracting database information and incorporating it into automatically generated messages
� importing and exporting FirstClass information to other applications
� providing fast change password ability
� gathering and processing system or web statistics on the fly
� automating repetitive tasks
� creating and parsing batch administration scripts
� starting and stopping FirstClass Internet Services remotely.
What you should already know
This online help is intended for FirstClass administrators responsible for supporting FCAS on Macｮ OS X or Windowsｮ platforms.
You should be familiar with the capabilities and terminology of your:
� FirstClass server as an administrator
� FirstClass administrator痴 Desktop
� FirstClass client software
� FirstClass Designer software
� BASIC programming language
� operating system
This documentation set should not be considered a programming manual. For information on programming, we recommend you read additional materials.
Documentation conventions
We use certain documentation conventions for menu items and variables in this online help.
Menu items
Each level of menu items is separated by >. For example, the Clear item under the Edit menu is shown as Edit > Clear.
Variables
Text in italics indicates arguments, variables, or other information for which you must type your own value.
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