The State IT Agency (SITA) plans to release a set of software development tools under an Open Source license for use by Government and industry to develop software solutions rapidly and securely.
The agency says this is historic first in the form of the Jig Software Development Workbench.
Jig is a development platform consisting of "best-of-breed Free and Open Source Software", woven together with bespoke code written in Java, according to the agency.
It adds that this is to create a standard mechanism by which web-based SOA applications can be developed for the modernisation of public service.
It was developed by SITA to build in-house applications quickly and securely. "Recognising the value of the toolset, SITA decided to release the product as a national initiative to stimulate and support domestic software development," says the agency.
Android phenomena
It explains that Jig consists of a number of modules which can be assembled in various configurations to meet the business requirements of government.
It includes modules for enterprise security, master data management, business rules management, integration APIs, state engine, and online help, amongst other things.
"Making use of a single flexible development platform provides both government and industry the ability to seamlessly integrate and develop business solutions in a common environment, with in-built compliance to the Minimum Interoperability Standards (MIOS), on a secure, battle-tested code-base," says SITA.
"Jig creates uniformity, enhances productivity without limiting flexibility and brings a common look-and-feel to government applications."
The agency also says that by releasing it under an Open Source license, SITA, and government still keep the copyright to the code, but industry partners and individual developers can use it, extend it and contribute to the code base.
"This is how Linux and Android have become the phenomena that they are."
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