osehra conference 2015: ewd.js - the future starts here

Copyright © 2015 M/Gateway Developments Ltd

EWD.jsThe Future Starts Here

Rob Tweed

Twitter: @[email protected]

http://www.mgateway.com


What if…

• EWD.js was adopted at the VA?

• What's the view like from up there?


EWD.js: the bigger picture

• What does it make possible?• A glimpse of the vision behind EWD.js


What is EWD.js

• Development framework

• Run-time platform

http://ewdjs.com


What is EWD.js

• Development framework– Client-server applications in the browser– Web Services– Legacy Mumps application modernisation

• Run-time platform


What is EWD.js

• Development framework

• Run-time platform– Node.js-based application server– Web Server– Integrated JSON database

• Caché, GT.M, GlobalsDB, MongoDB


EWD.js key features

• 100% JavaScript– Browser– Back-end (business logic): Node.js

• 100% JSON-based data– Browser– Back-end– Database

• Legacy Mumps code can be accessed from Node.js• High performance

– Node.js– In-process interface to database

• Highly scalable– stateless


Current VistA

VistA

Caché

VistA Server

Roll & Scroll

RPC BrokerCPRS

RPCsFileMan

Sta

tefu

l


EWD.js-enabled VistA

EWD.js

VistA

Caché

Node.jsVistA Server

cache.node

Roll & Scroll

RPC BrokerCPRS

RPCsFileMan

Interface functions

WebServiceClients

HTTPS +HMAC

SHA256

Sta

tefu

l

JavaScript /Node.jsbusiness logic

Sta

tele

ss


VistACaché

EWD.jsApplication

Server

Caché

nginx

EWD.jsApplication

Server

Caché

EWD.jsApplication

Server

Caché

EC

PN

etworking

Mapped globalsfor shared EWD Sessions

& VistA data

Mapped VistAroutines

Inco

min

gW

eb S

ervi

ceT

raff

ic

Scaling Out


Federated access across the VA?


ewd-federator

Cache / GlobalsDB / GT.Mpersistent JSON cacheing, storage

Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

HTTP-basedWeb Service

REST-basedService

Back-endServers

HTTP

REST

HMAC-SHA256

Signed HTTP

https://github.com/robtweed/ewd-federator


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

Aggregateresponses

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

InterceptIncomingrequest

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

re-directInterceptIncomingrequest

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

InterceptIncomingresponse

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

InterceptIncomingresponse

re-direct

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


ewd-federator


Node.jsRESTClients

RE

ST

Re

qu

est

s

EWD.jssystem

Back-endServers

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

EWD.jssystem

Aggregateresponses

VistA

VistA

VistA

VistA


So that's REST…What about browser-based apps?


ewd-

fede

rato

r

EWD.jsApplication

Server

EWD.js

Vis

tA

EWD.js

Vis

tA

Site 1

Site 2

EWD.js

Vis

tA

Site 3

RESTBrowser

Web

S

ocke

ts

HTTPWeb

Services


All good stuff, but

It's the narrow, technical perspective on why EWD.js

Can be considered to be just one potential option


Benefits to the VA

• Single language skill– JavaScript


Benefits to the VA


• Controlled migration:– from rare Mumps development resources– To readily-available JavaScript developers


Benefits to the VA


• Controlled migration:– from rare Mumps development resources– To readily-available JavaScript developers– One-off interfacing of core VistA functionality

via JavaScript functions


Browsers

JavaScript

Node.js

React Native


Browsers

JavaScript

Node.js

React Native

There's never been a more exciting time to be in IT

And all the big innovations and developments are focusedIn these 4 areas


JavaScript:

Now the world's most popular language

Already huge, and only getting bigger


Node.js:

JavaScript on the server

There's a module for everything!

Tap into a huge and growing poolof innovations


Browsers:

The ubiquitous desktop client

The target UI for all new applications


So, browser-based VistA Apps

The right way to go?


• Myth #1: Browser UIs just aren't good enough for clinical/medical apps• Myth #2: Browsers and web technologies aren't fast enough / too much latency• Myth #3: Browsers and web technologies aren't secure enough


•Myth #1: Browser UIs just aren't good enough for clinical/medical apps

It seems they're good enough for everyone else

There's nothing a browser can't do these daysThe days of being limited to simple pages were decades ago



Do you use:

• Google Docs• Microsoft Office 365 • Do you bank, shop, watch videos, etc on your browser at home?



• Sophisticated graphics: • 2-d - charts, graphs – updated in real-time• 3-d eg http://data-arts.appspot.com/globe/



See the work of Astute SemanticsVistA modernisation using EWD.js


•Myth #2: Browsers and web technologies aren't fast enough / too much latency

Are the following hopelessly slow for you?

• Amazon• EBay• Google

• Do you watch Netflix or YouTube in your browser?



Demonstrations showing federated access to multipleVistA systems using ewd-federator and EWD.js:

Sub-second response

Asynchronous pre-emptive data fetching based on usage statistics


•Myth #3: Browsers and web technologies aren't secure enough

It seems they're good enough for online banking….


•Myth #3: Browsers and web technologies aren't secure enough


The future is browser-shaped

• Web-sockets – used by EWD.js applications– Redefines the way you can think about browser apps– Server can send messages to the browser at any

time:• Alerts, message of the day

– Real-time graphing of clinical results on tablet browser by the bed-side

– Real-time bed state display– Cross-browser inter-communication between provider

and patient– Legacy green screen terminal in browser

• https://robtweed.wordpress.com/2014/03/04/vista-the-hackable-open-source-ehr-hackable-platform/



• WebRTC– Real time communications– Skype-like behaviour in a browser, without

plug-ins• Video• Audio• File transfer

– Key to browser-based telemedicine


Asm.js

• Subset of JavaScript that can be compiled and run at near native C++ speed in asm.js-enabled browsers

• Emscripten compiler• Being driven by the games industry

– Unreal Engine ported to run in browser, without plug-ins

– Try this:• http://www.flohofwoe.net/demos/dsomapviewer_asmjs.html



Chromecast

• $35 Device from Google• Marketed as a video streaming

device for your TV• It actually has a lot more potential,

particularly in healthcare


Chromecast Schematic

ChromeBrowser

Chrome OS

HD

MI O

utput

TVMonitor

Projector

Wire

less

Net

wor

kIn

terf

ace



Chromecast

• Turns an HDMI-interfaced monitor or TV into a sophisticated, controllable display

https://robtweed.wordpress.com/2014/04/05/chromecast-understanding-its-potential/


VistA Chromecast Applications

Chromecast

PC or Mac

Chrome

Chromecast

JavaScript APIs

SenderApplication

Wireless N

etwork

Chrome

HTML Page

ChromecastJavaScript APIs

EWD.jsApplication

EWD.js Application

JavaScript

EWD.js / Node.jsServer

EWD.js JavaScript

WebSocketmessaging

VistA


The future is JavaScript-based

Costs $80


What does it do?

Detects hand movementsand gestures in 3D areaabove and around the device


How do you use it?

• USB Device• Move one or more hands

above it• Software can detect:

– Palms– Fingers & thumbs

• Including joints

– Position– Rotation in 3D

• Samples at whatever frequency you wish

• Sub-millimeter accuracy

• Program in JavaScript

http://osehra.org/sites/default/files/QuantitativeHandTremorTweed.pdf


The future is JavaScript-shaped

The Internet of Things will be powered by JavaScript and Node.js


React Native:

Facebook's Open Source solutionto the mobile app dilemma


React Native:


• How to effectively develop apps for:• desktop browsers• iOS mobile devices• Android devices


React Native:



• without 3 different skill-sets• JavaScript, HTML, CSS• Objective C, Swift• Java


React Native:



• without 3 different skill-sets• JavaScript, HTML, CSS• Objective C, Swift• Java

• or avoiding the compromises of• mobile browser apps• hybrid apps


ReactState Change

Re-renderVirtual DOM

iOSUIKit

Components

Standard React.js

JavaScriptCore


• Creates truly Native Mobile Applications• Currently iOS only, but Android port due to

be released to Open Source any day• Mobile apps can be built by JavaScript

developers– Who can also create browser app equivalents

in the same way• Note:

– NOT write once, run everywhere– Learn Once, Write Anywhere


React Native:

This is HUGE!Provides the mobile solutionthat the VA have beensearching for

EWD.js makes it possible for the VAto use React Native TODAY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOIwTU6oPuo


Further benefits to the VA

EWD.js

VistA

Caché

Node.jsVistA Server

cache.node

Roll & Scroll

RPC BrokerCPRS

RPCsFileMan

Interface functions

WebServiceClients

HTTPS +HMAC

SHA256

Sta

tefu

l

JavaScript /Node.jsbusiness logic

Sta

tele

ss

Free up serverresources


Further benefits to the VA

• all EWD.js apps would work

• highly secure

• insignificant cost per device

• significantly simplify and reduce costs of security procedures


Consequences for the VA

• ewd-federator:– Code distribution– Software update management– Synchronising configurations– Federated control over user privileges– Centralised performance monitoring /

dashboards


Consequences for the VA

• ewd-federator:– Code distribution– Software update management– Synchronising configurations– Federated control over user privileges– Centralised performance monitoring /

dashboards• These are things the VA has been struggling to

find solutions for, for years


What about the Open-Source VistA Community?

• Everything I've described applies to them also– All these capabilities and features are

available for GT.M-based versions of VistA

• Fully supports the original aims of OSEHRA


So imagine if…

EWD.js was adopted at the VA..


You really need to see the view from up here!


EWD.jsThe Future Starts Here

Rob Tweed

Twitter: @[email protected]

http://www.mgateway.com

osehra conference 2015: ewd.js - the future starts here

Technology

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vista server cache

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