AgilePetStore

I had this idea a while ago and have been discussing it with TimM.

A reference application (blueprint not implementation) that can be used within XtC -> wherever to explore, demonstrate and compare the applications of principles, techniques, best practices, and technologies relating to Agile/Software development.

• Branches in CVS to monitor unforseen impact of technology decisions?
• Application structure can grow as needed - end up with a business system with components that demonstrate common business patterns (DB backend/transactions/web-app...).
• We can look at these principles, techniques, best practices, and technologies where understanding the business situation is a no-brainer (we can concentrate on the new bits).
• When something new comes around we can say "Where would this fit into the AgilePetStore?"

Discuss. --DanPollitt

I'd like to see it, but... The biggest danger here is probably with the "scalability benchmark circus". What do we do? Build it as tidyily as possible and then use a modified set of functional tests to optimise it? ... and optimise for what? This could give agile methods detractors a great opportunity to "spin" benchmark tests against us. An agile pet store is probably too radical for most people anyway. How about starting with an object-oriented pet store , meaning no "entity beans" or business logic in stored procedures? --DafyddRees

You could ask JoeWalnes for the source, as coincidently the example he has used throughout his new book is a pet store -- RachelDavies

Well, now the book has been published, the application is available. It's only a starting point as it's meant to illustrate the process, not the end result. Of course, to understand the process, you'd have to purchase the accompanying book ;). The PetSoar download (written test first). The book: Java Open Source Programming and a review. --JoeWalnes