The Cloud and Browser Advantage: Cloud Storage and Delivering Advanced Graphics and UX with Oliasoft WellDesign

In the previous articles, we explored some of the key technology decisions made during the early development of Oliasoft WellDesign, including our reliance on JavaScript and cloud infrastructure. Now, let’s dive deeper into the other essential technologies that form the backbone of Oliasoft’s software stack.

The Backbone of Our Data Storage

While much of Oliasoft WellDesign's functionality is powered by JavaScript running on cloud-based Linux servers, our choice of database is equally critical. For most of our data storage, we rely on PostgreSQL, an open-source relational database that excels in both traditional relational data handling and object-based querying.

PostgreSQL provides flexibility through its robust support for both structured and unstructured data. Typically, relational databases work best when all data is neatly organized into tables and rows, a process known as normalization. However, in our domain - where complex engineering objects often don't fit into a traditional tabular model - this approach can add unnecessary complexity. By adopting a mixed relational and object model in PostgreSQL, we’re able to store and query both structured and unstructured data with ease.

This flexibility allows us to streamline our API development, aligning data storage more closely with our business logic. In the early stages, we also considered other databases like MongoDB, but PostgreSQL's powerful extension ecosystem - particularly its support for Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - made it a clear winner for us, especially when dealing with geospatial data common in the oil and gas industry.

The Browser Revolution: From Crude Interfaces to Powerful Graphics Rich Applications

The web browser is another vital component of our tech stack. Today, browsers have finally fulfilled the long-standing promise of "write once, run anywhere," a vision originally championed by Java. Unlike native applications that require installation, browser-based apps allow users to interact with sophisticated software without installing anything on their devices.

In the past, browser-based graphical user interfaces (GUIs) were sluggish and lacked the polish of native apps. However, modern web technologies have changed that. Today's browsers offer all the tools necessary to build fast, visually appealing, and highly functional applications. In fact, the performance gap between web-based apps and native applications is now negligible.

One of the original advantages of native apps was their seamless integration with platform-specific GUI toolkits, offering a consistent look and feel across applications. However, as Microsoft and Apple introduced new toolkits over time (e.g., Win32, WPF, and WinUI on Windows), the landscape became more fragmented and complicated for developers. Instead of making things easier, these multiple toolkits often resulted in inconsistent user experiences and increased development effort.

Web-based applications, on the other hand, offer a standardized platform. Developers only need to build once, and the application can run on any operating system—whether it's Windows, macOS, or Linux. With modern browsers, the customizability of the GUI is virtually unlimited, making it possible to create experiences that rival or even exceed native applications in terms of look, feel, and performance.

Leveraging Modern 2D and 3D Graphics: WebGL and Beyond

As an engineering application, Oliasoft WellDesign requires rich 2D and 3D graphics. In the native app world, Windows applications traditionally use DirectX, while macOS relies on Metal. For cross-platform development, technologies like OpenGL and Vulkan have been popular choices.

In web development, WebGL has become the standard for accelerated 2D and 3D graphics within the browser. WebGL gives us the power to create rich, interactive visuals that perform just as well as native applications. More advanced technologies like WebGPU are emerging, promising even greater performance and flexibility.

A Competitive Edge Where Modern Tech Meets Legacy Systems

Oliasoft WellDesign stands out in a field where most competitors are still using legacy engineering software designed for native Windows environments. Despite no technical barriers to modernizing their interfaces, many legacy applications suffer from outdated graphics and lack of 2D/3D acceleration.

By leveraging state-of-the-art web technologies, Oliasoft WellDesign offers an advanced user experience. Our platform supports accelerated 2D and 3D graphics, delivering visuals that are both modern and responsive. And because it’s built on web technologies, OWD works seamlessly across devices, from desktops to tablets - even on mobile phones.

Closing Thoughts

At Oliasoft, we've built our tech stack with a clear focus on flexibility, scalability, and performance. PostgreSQL's mixed relational/object model, combined with the power of modern web browsers and WebGL, allows us to create a platform that rivals native applications in every way.