Introduction
This guide serves as an entry-level document for understanding the NET Genium platform. It is intended for application administrators, solution architects, and technically responsible roles who design, develop, and operate applications built on the NET Genium platform over the long term.
The purpose of this guide is not to describe individual UI controls or technical implementation details. Such information is intentionally placed in separate, specialized manuals. The goal of this document is to explain the core principles, philosophy, and way of thinking on which NET Genium is built.
Once you understand the principles described here, working with NET Genium becomes natural and the individual parts of the documentation begin to form a coherent whole.
1. What Is NET Genium
NET Genium is an application platform for the development and long-term operation of enterprise web applications. It is neither a ready-made application nor a one-off development tool, but a stable technological foundation on which information systems can be built, operated, and gradually evolved.
The key characteristics of NET Genium are:
- long-term application operation,
- controlled and incremental evolution,
- emphasis on stability and backward compatibility,
- ability to adapt to change without rewriting applications.
NET Genium is the technological foundation of the Xtreme Rapid Development (XRD) methodology, which enables rapid delivery of functional application versions while maintaining architectural and operational control.
2. The Administrator’s Role in NET Genium
In the NET Genium environment, an administrator is not merely a manager of users or technical settings. The administrator is primarily an application architect and designer of application logic.
The administrator’s responsibilities typically include:
- designing application structures,
- defining data models and relationships,
- designing user interfaces,
- configuring permissions and security,
- managing the long-term evolution of applications.
Administrators use the platform’s tools to ensure that applications meet organizational needs, remain understandable to users, and are sustainable over time.
3. Core Platform Principles
The NET Genium platform is built on several fundamental principles that permeate the entire system.
3.1 Data as the Foundation of Applications
All applications in NET Genium are built around data. The platform automatically handles data storage, consistency, relationships, and history. Administrators can focus on the meaning and usage of data rather than on technical data management details.
3.2 Separation of Structure and Behavior
NET Genium clearly separates:
- application structure (forms, pages, UI elements),
- application behavior (scripts, processes, application logic).
This separation enables applications to evolve gradually without disruptive changes to their core structure.
3.3 Controlled Change
Changes in NET Genium applications are designed as a controlled process. The platform supports incremental modifications, testing, and deployment in a way that does not compromise application stability or ongoing operations.
4. Application Lifecycle
Applications built on NET Genium are not treated as one-off projects. The platform supports their long-term lifecycle.
A typical lifecycle includes:
- initial design and first functional version,
- deployment to production,
- gradual extension and enhancement,
- archiving of historical data,
- long-term stable operation.
Administrators are provided with tools that allow this lifecycle to be managed without fundamental technological changes.
5. Security and Responsibility
NET Genium is designed with a strong emphasis on security and traceability.
Key principles include:
- users operating under clearly identifiable accounts,
- role- and permission-based access control at the application level,
- audit trails of all data changes,
- separation of administrative and end-user activities.
Administrators are responsible for applying these principles correctly within each application.
6. Documentation as Part of the Platform
Documentation in the NET Genium ecosystem is not an add-on, but an integral part of the platform.
Individual manuals are divided by topic and level of detail. This guide serves as the entry point, explaining the broader context and connecting the various documents into a coherent whole.
For detailed information on specific areas, refer to:
- application design guides,
- scripting and function documentation,
- operational and installation manuals,
- reference documentation.
7. How to Use This Guide
We recommend reading this guide sequentially, ideally before creating new applications or making significant changes to existing ones.
It serves as:
- a conceptual map of the platform,
- an explanation of core principles,
- contextual reference for the rest of the documentation.
After completing this guide, administrators should have a clear understanding of how NET Genium works conceptually and how to approach application design and evolution.
Conclusion
NET Genium is a platform designed for long-term use. The success of applications built on it depends less on individual technical details and more on understanding the principles on which the entire system is based.
This guide aims to explain those principles and provide a solid foundation for working with the NET Genium platform.