A Jini-based software framework for developing distributed cooperative decision support systems

Many mission-critical, decision-making situations happen in dynamic, rapidly changing, and often unpredictable environments. Military, governmental, and medical contexts are examples of such situations, which can be characterized by highly decentralized, up-to-date data sets coming from various sources. Unlike other decision-making tools, decision support systems (DSS) designed for such situations are challenged by the need to access this decentralized data at any time, from anywhere, under tight time constraints. This paper presents the design of a software framework for developing these kinds of distributed DSSs. The proposed Java-based framework relies mostly on the Jini technology and its JavaSpaces service. The construction of the framework is presented with UML class diagrams, UML sequence diagrams, and additional explanations. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.