Partner Platform Overview ************* Description -------------- The Partner Platform is a map application platform, based on a "fit client" architecture, focused on end user tasks, particularly on field tasks. A comprehensive description of the Platform is available in the Preface section :doc:`/preface/description`. Please read that section now if you have not already. Major Programs ---------------- The following major programs are included in the Partner Platform; in this course we will install and use most of them: * Map Viewer - the primary end-user client program, * Partner on iOS - the map viewer client for Apple iPads and iPhones, * Update - used to keep all installations up-to-date, * Help! - help and troubleshooting tool, * Hub - the server container program, * Partner Web - the web user interface, * Workbench - development and administration program, and * Map Publisher - builds and updates maps for all viewers. Architectural Components -------------------------- The Platform is built upon the following critical components: * Java - primary programming language and runtime, * system - overall management of program lifecycle, * log - fault-tolerant logging for program events, * filesystem - a strict and formally defined file organization for all installs, * modules - pluggable extensions to the core platform, * mapsets - pluggable interactive map viewing layers, and * update - infrastructure for installation and update. We will discuss each of these as well.