At the recently concluded IBM InterConnect conference in Las Vegas, tech titan IBM announced a new open, event-driven platform that lets developers build more feature-rich apps that automatically trigger responses to events.
The IBM Bluemix OpenWhisk platform enables developers to quickly build microservices that execute software code in response to events such as the clicking of a mouse or the receiving of sensor data from a surveillance cam.
When an event occurs, the code is automatically executed. As a result, developers need not worry about things like pre-provisioning infrastructure, such as servers or operations ? they can simply focus on code, dramatically speeding up the process.
IBM said the new Bluemix OpenWhisk provides developers with a unique set of capabilities:
Chaining. Built-in chaining enables teams to individually develop small pieces of code or microservices and later quickly connect them together in a sequence.
Integrated container support. Any custom code put in a Docker container can be run, eliminating vendor lock-in and providing more freedom and control for developers who need to exploit legacy code in their event handlers.
Language support, including Swift. Support for multiple languages including Node.js and Swift gives app developers greater flexibility.
Built-in cognitive capabilities. Use of Watson enables apps to be written that perform cognitive analysis and provide unique and transformative experiences.
With Bluemix OpenWhisk small teams can break down complex problems and work on smaller pieces of code simultaneously, quickly, and simply, said IBM.
Big Blue said OpenWhisk gives developers choice through support of Swift, Node.js, or custom code packaged in a Docker container. The support of Swift enables developers to use a common language for the apps running on the mobile device and the corresponding mobile backend, meaning companies are no longer forced to build skills in multiple programming languages.
IBM also announced the contribution of OpenWhisk to open source to generate an ecosystem of event providers and consumers and grow the platform. IBM has built-in support for popular Bluemix services like Watson and Weather.
?Between the openness of Bluemix OpenWhisk and its built-in cognitive capabilities, developers are provided a new way to create next-generation apps for this rapidly evolving multi-cloud/hybrid cloud world,? said Angel Diaz, vice president, cloud architecture and technology at IBM Cloud. ?OpenWhisk will usher in a new era in app and microservices development.?
