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.. i18n: single: architecture; Open ERP
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single: architecture; Open ERP
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.. i18n: The architecture of Open ERP
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.. i18n: ============================
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The architecture of Open ERP
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============================
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.. i18n: To access Open ERP you can:
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To access Open ERP you can:
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.. i18n: * use a web browser pointed at the Open ERP client-web server, or
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.. i18n: * use an application client (the GTK client) installed on each computer.
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* use a web browser pointed at the Open ERP client-web server, or
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* use an application client (the GTK client) installed on each computer.
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.. i18n: The two methods of access give very similar facilities, and you can use both on
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.. i18n: the same server at the same time. It's best to use the web browser if the
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.. i18n: Open ERP server is some distance away (such as on another continent) because
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.. i18n: it's more tolerant of time delays between the two than the GTK client is. The
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.. i18n: web client is also easier to maintain, because it's generally already installed
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.. i18n: on users' computers.
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The two methods of access give very similar facilities, and you can use both on
34
the same server at the same time. It's best to use the web browser if the
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Open ERP server is some distance away (such as on another continent) because
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it's more tolerant of time delays between the two than the GTK client is. The
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web client is also easier to maintain, because it's generally already installed
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.. i18n: Conversely you'd be better off with the application client (called the GTK
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.. i18n: client because of the technology it's built with) if you're using a local
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.. i18n: server (such as in the same building). In this case the GTK client will be more
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.. i18n: responsive, so more satisfying to use.
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Conversely you'd be better off with the application client (called the GTK
46
client because of the technology it's built with) if you're using a local
47
server (such as in the same building). In this case the GTK client will be more
48
responsive, so more satisfying to use.
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.. i18n: single: client; web (thin) and GTK (thick)
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.. i18n: single: client; caching
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single: client; web (thin) and GTK (thick)
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single: client; caching
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.. i18n: .. note:: Web client and GTK client
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.. i18n: There is little functional difference between the two Open ERP clients - the
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.. i18n: web client and the GTK client at present (since early versions of 5.0).
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.. i18n: In earlier versions, the web client had fractionally greater functionality.
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.. i18n: When you're changing the structure of your Open ERP installation (adding and
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.. i18n: removing modules, perhaps changing labels) you'll find the web client to be
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.. i18n: irritating because of its use of **caching**.
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.. i18n: Caching speeds it all up by keeping a copy of data somewhere between the server
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.. i18n: and your client, which is usually good. But you may
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.. i18n: have made changes to your installation that you cannot immediately see in
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.. i18n: your browser. Many apparent faults are caused by this! The workaround is
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.. i18n: to use the GTK client during development and implementation where possible.
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.. i18n: The Tiny company will continue to support two clients for the foreseeable
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.. i18n: future, so you can use whichever client you prefer.
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.. note:: Web client and GTK client
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There is little functional difference between the two Open ERP clients - the
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web client and the GTK client at present (since early versions of 5.0).
81
In earlier versions, the web client had fractionally greater functionality.
83
When you're changing the structure of your Open ERP installation (adding and
84
removing modules, perhaps changing labels) you'll find the web client to be
85
irritating because of its use of **caching**.
87
Caching speeds it all up by keeping a copy of data somewhere between the server
88
and your client, which is usually good. But you may
89
have made changes to your installation that you cannot immediately see in
90
your browser. Many apparent faults are caused by this! The workaround is
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to use the GTK client during development and implementation where possible.
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The Tiny company will continue to support two clients for the foreseeable
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future, so you can use whichever client you prefer.
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.. i18n: An Open ERP system is formed from three main components:
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An Open ERP system is formed from three main components:
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.. i18n: * the PostgreSQL database server, which contains all of the databases, each of which contains all
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.. i18n: data and most elements of the Open ERP system configuration,
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.. i18n: * the Open ERP application server, which contains all of the enterprise logic and ensures that
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.. i18n: Open ERP runs optimally,
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.. i18n: * the web server, a separate application called the Open Object client-web, which enables you to
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.. i18n: connect to Open ERP from standard web browsers and is not needed when you connect using a GTK
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* the PostgreSQL database server, which contains all of the databases, each of which contains all
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data and most elements of the Open ERP system configuration,
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* the Open ERP application server, which contains all of the enterprise logic and ensures that
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Open ERP runs optimally,
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* the web server, a separate application called the Open Object client-web, which enables you to
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connect to Open ERP from standard web browsers and is not needed when you connect using a GTK
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.. i18n: .. figure:: images/terp_arch_1.png
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.. i18n: :align: center
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.. i18n: *The architecture of Open ERP*
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.. figure:: images/terp_arch_1.png
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*The architecture of Open ERP*
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.. i18n: .. note:: Terminology: client-web – server or client?
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.. i18n: The client-web component can be thought of as a server or a client depending on
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.. i18n: your viewpoint.
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.. i18n: It acts as a web server to an end user connecting from a web browser, but
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.. i18n: it also acts as a client to the Open ERP application server just as a GTK
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.. i18n: application client does.
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.. i18n: So in this book its context will determine whether the client-web component is referred to as
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.. i18n: a server or a client.
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.. note:: Terminology: client-web – server or client?
146
The client-web component can be thought of as a server or a client depending on
149
It acts as a web server to an end user connecting from a web browser, but
150
it also acts as a client to the Open ERP application server just as a GTK
151
application client does.
153
So in this book its context will determine whether the client-web component is referred to as
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a server or a client.
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.. i18n: pair: eTiny; client-web
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pair: eTiny; client-web
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.. i18n: .. note:: eTiny
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.. i18n: The web application used to be known as “eTiny”.
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.. i18n: Its name changed to “client-web” as Tiny ERP was renamed to Open ERP,
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.. i18n: but its characteristics have generally stayed the same.
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The web application used to be known as “eTiny”.
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Its name changed to “client-web” as Tiny ERP was renamed to Open ERP,
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but its characteristics have generally stayed the same.
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.. i18n: single: PostgreSQL
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.. i18n: .. note:: PostgreSQL, the relational and object database management system.
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.. i18n: It's a free and open-source high-performance system that compares well with other database
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.. i18n: management systems such as MySQL and FirebirdSQL (both free), Sybase, DB2
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.. i18n: and Microsoft SQL Server (all proprietary). It runs on all types of
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.. i18n: Operating System, from Unix/Linux to the various releases of Windows, via
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.. i18n: Mac OS X, Solaris, SunOS and BSD.
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.. note:: PostgreSQL, the relational and object database management system.
190
It's a free and open-source high-performance system that compares well with other database
191
management systems such as MySQL and FirebirdSQL (both free), Sybase, DB2
192
and Microsoft SQL Server (all proprietary). It runs on all types of
193
Operating System, from Unix/Linux to the various releases of Windows, via
194
Mac OS X, Solaris, SunOS and BSD.
196
.. i18n: These three components can be installed on the same server or can be
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.. i18n: distributed onto separate computer servers if performance considerations
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These three components can be installed on the same server or can be
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distributed onto separate computer servers if performance considerations
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.. i18n: If you choose to run only with GTK clients you won't need the third component –
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.. i18n: the client-web server – at all. In this case Open ERP's GTK client must be installed
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.. i18n: on the workstation of each Open ERP user in the company.
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If you choose to run only with GTK clients you won't need the third component –
209
the client-web server – at all. In this case Open ERP's GTK client must be installed
210
on the workstation of each Open ERP user in the company.
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.. i18n: .. Copyright © Open Object Press. All rights reserved.
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.. Copyright © Open Object Press. All rights reserved.
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.. i18n: .. You may take electronic copy of this publication and distribute it if you don't
217
.. i18n: .. change the content. You can also print a copy to be read by yourself only.
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.. You may take electronic copy of this publication and distribute it if you don't
220
.. change the content. You can also print a copy to be read by yourself only.
222
.. i18n: .. We have contracts with different publishers in different countries to sell and
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.. i18n: .. distribute paper or electronic based versions of this book (translated or not)
224
.. i18n: .. in bookstores. This helps to distribute and promote the Open ERP product. It
225
.. i18n: .. also helps us to create incentives to pay contributors and authors using author
226
.. i18n: .. rights of these sales.
228
.. We have contracts with different publishers in different countries to sell and
229
.. distribute paper or electronic based versions of this book (translated or not)
230
.. in bookstores. This helps to distribute and promote the Open ERP product. It
231
.. also helps us to create incentives to pay contributors and authors using author
232
.. rights of these sales.
234
.. i18n: .. Due to this, grants to translate, modify or sell this book are strictly
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.. i18n: .. forbidden, unless Tiny SPRL (representing Open Object Press) gives you a
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.. i18n: .. written authorisation for this.
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.. Due to this, grants to translate, modify or sell this book are strictly
239
.. forbidden, unless Tiny SPRL (representing Open Object Press) gives you a
240
.. written authorisation for this.
242
.. i18n: .. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and suppliers to distinguish their
243
.. i18n: .. products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book,
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.. i18n: .. and Open Object Press was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been
245
.. i18n: .. printed in initial capitals.
247
.. Many of the designations used by manufacturers and suppliers to distinguish their
248
.. products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book,
249
.. and Open Object Press was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been
250
.. printed in initial capitals.
252
.. i18n: .. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher
253
.. i18n: .. and the authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages
254
.. i18n: .. resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
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.. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher
257
.. and the authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages
258
.. resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
260
.. i18n: .. Published by Open Object Press, Grand Rosière, Belgium
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.. Published by Open Object Press, Grand Rosière, Belgium