Supported Software and Technologies

Programming Languages

• C#: The primary programming language used for development at HSC ITS. This language is used to develop the server side aspects of web applications as well as any necessary console or desktop based applications.
• Javascript: The standard for client-side development for web based applications. This language is used to enhance the user experience by providing dynamic content, animations, validation, etc.
• SQL: SQL (Structured Query Language) is used for all applications which require data storage in a relational database. This is generally used with Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Databases.

Frameworks

• ASP.NET MVC: The web development framework used for web applications built at HSC ITS. Provides a standard and well-structured framework around which modern, performant, and secure web applications can be built.

Libraries

• JQuery: A cross-platform and cross-browser Javascript library that simplifies client-side development for web based applications.
• JQuery Validation: A standardized structure for providing client-side validation of data inputs for improved user experience.
• Knockout.js: A client-side Javascript MVVM framework. This library aids in the development of complex data-driven web applications.
• Dapper ORM: A light weight Object Relational Mapper used for accessing data stored in relational SQL databases.
• SignalR: A real-time data transport library. This is used for applications which need to provide the end user with continuously updated information.

Data Storage

• Microsoft SQL: A relational database used for web-based and other applications which require persistent data storage.
• Microsoft Access: A relational database generally used for legacy applications or stand-alone data storage.
• Redis: A semi-persistent key-value pair database generally used for caching in high load applications.
• ElasticSearch: A document database used to provide fast and advanced search functionality for applications.

Tools

• Microsoft Visual Studio: The IDE (Integrated Development Environment) used by all developers at HSC ITS. This advanced tool aids in the rapid development of robust, high quality software applications.
• Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio: This applications provides a user-friendly interface for developing, maintaining, and querying SQL databases.
• Fiddler: This tool is a network traffic monitor. It is used at HSC ITS to analyze and debug the network traffic generated by web based applications.
• TortoiseHg:  A user-friendly interface for interacting with Mercurial version control. This is used track and merge changes during software development and maintenance.
• IBM AppScan: This utility scans applications for potential security vulnerabilities. All applications are scanned after initial development as well as periodically throughout their lifecycle to ensure application and data security.

Additional Technologies

• HTML: A core web technology. HTML is used to structure data for presentation in a web browser.
• CSS: This technology is used to provide styles for the content in web based applications.
• LESS: A preprocessor for CSS. This is used to develop application designs in a more versatile and reusable manner.
• JSON: A data structure used primarily for data transport between server and client in web based applications. Also used for data storage and transport between Redis, ElasticSearch, etc.
• XML: A data structure used primarily for data transport between server and client in web based applications. Also used for storing structured data on the file system when necessary.