What is GeneXus™?
GeneXus™ is a Software Development Suite that simplifies and automates the tasks of creating and maintaining enterprise applications and IT systems.Sorry, what?
Simply put: GeneXus™ is software that makes software. It also maintains programs and databases - automatically.What problem do you solve?
We think that software development has become increasingly complex over the years. Apps are easier to use than ever, however creating them requires more knowledge and skills every day as new programming languages, databases and platforms are constantly created. We work every day to solve that problem, making software development easier.How?
To make software development simpler, we automate everything that can be automated. So, GeneXus™ uses a simple, agile, three-step process to create an application:1. Definition (Modeling), which is done in a simple, declarative way.
2. Generation (Automation), where an app is created from the previous model.
3. Validation (Test), where we validate the app to see if it meets the needs of the user.
Why automate?
This one is a tough question, faced by every industry since the invention of the steam engine. Yet, again and again, craftsmanship is automated, productivity is increased and our quality of life improved. Why should the software industry be different? It shouldn’t! Not with the ever growing demand for software. Craftsmanship is nice, but not in tune with the speed the world we live in requires. There’s a more efficient way of producing software than by hand: It’s automation, and GeneXus™ leads in that path.What kind of applications can be made with GeneXus™?
We like to say: “Mission Critical Applications,” meaning, literally, built for the information, processes and technologies, most critical to your business’ main mission. GeneXus applications are not just data-driven; they are built to harness your most important business data, e.g. Core Banking, ERPs, CRMs.Is GeneXus™ Model-Driven Development (MDD)?
It is, and it isn’t. GeneXus™ has its own way of “Modeling”, using its own descriptive programming language. In addition, these “models” are created based on the user’s Business Knowledge and needs. This approach allows users to focus on "What" they need technology to do while GeneXus™ automatically handles the technical side of the “How”. The benefits are clear: easier to learn, easier to create apps, and easier to switch between platforms and technologies when technology and market evolve. It’s a “Describe once, deploy everywhere” model, and much, much more.What does “capture the reality” mean?
It’s the process of understanding how a business works, and translating that understanding into software tools that serve the business’ unique strengths and needs. Business realities are transcribed into a Knowledge Base, from which the applications, services, and databases are programmed automatically.What is that “knowledge base” you talk so much about?
That’s the name we give to each GeneXus-based Software Project. For each project, GeneXus™ stores in a Knowledge Base -in a technology-independent way- the user’s Business Knowledge, descriptions and requirements for the software project that later will be used to generate the described application.Does GeneXus really, really automatically generate applications?
Yes, GeneXus™ automatically generates native code, based on parameters and data that you define. We are talking about millions of lines of code, generated without human intervention. The human imagines and describes, and a machine running GeneXus is the one that generates the application. GeneXus™ also generates the databases and backend services, automatically - making it the only such development tool in existence.GeneXus also maintains the application, database, and services, automatically; implementing updates, live, as changes are made to the Knowledge Base. It’s cool –time-saving- stuff!
Is GeneXus™ a new company and technology?
No, we’re not young: We’re experienced! We’ve been around for 25 years, and as technology changed and evolved, so did we. We’ve been (accurately) forecasting Platform dominances for a long time now and we’ve come a long way, from AS-400’s to creating top-notch Mobile and Web Applications (also generating for any market relevant platform in-between), and we’re on the cutting edge of it (IT).How did you survive so long?
Bootstrapped. Eating light. Thinking fast. Running faster.How much does GeneXus™ cost?
Don’t worry about that! Price isn’t normally an issue as we have several options for different scenarios and company sizes. If you’re a Software House (ISV) we’ve got something for you, also if you’re creating apps in a big company, corporation or government. If you are a single developer, there’s also the Free (trial) version to start working, now. If you’re a Startup, let’s talk! Whatever your company size: If you are interested in GeneXus™, we’ll find a way that benefits us all. Talk with us!Is GeneXus™ flexible?
Gastón Milano (our CIO) explained it in the best way possible:"Though hand-coding could be more flexible in the short-term, if you’re thinking cross-platform, multiple systems or databases and are worried about the future technologies (playing the long game), then GeneXus™ is as flexible and adaptable as it gets".