This is the EscapeK FAQ, which contains the most frequently asked questions about the EscapeK project. If you have an additional question, please contact us or post it in the forums.

Content

Questions and answers

What does this name EscapeK means ? Where does it comes from ? ...

In fact, there is no special meaning for this name. But, because this sections must gives answers to question, here are two answers :

$ set -o vi
$ ls
$ <ESC-K>

tells the shell to use vi key bindings. Then, pressing <ESC-K> gets back the last command (ls) to the prompt. In fact EscapeK is a common key used by system administrators. The name EscapeK for this software is a reference to this command and it will remind many administrator the times where they had to use this key.

• As EscapeK is written in Java, it could have been called Jsomething. Indeed, like an old tradition, many good Java programs have their name beginning by a J. Ending its name with the letter K is a kind of innovation, like what this project is willing to be ...

What are the technologies behind ?

Here are the main technologies used by EscapeK :

• Java : EscapeK is completely written in Java language. This means hardware and OS independencies which allow EscapeK to run on nearly any platform.
• Spring container: EscapeK core services uses Spring framework core functionalities. Therefore it can be deployed on most of major J2EE application servers or OSGi platforms. Spring framework major advantages are security, performances, and persistence management.
• Eclipse RCP: On the client side EscapeK uses Eclipse Rich client platform, which provides a professional user interface on MacOs, Windows, GNU/Linux or X11.

The server component is hosted on a Spring container. It provides most of the business methods, as well as persistence management. Its goal is to provide :

• Answer console applications query (repository query, system action, ...)
• Deal with managed equipement communication.

The client console allows users to query the server and run actions on managed equipments.

How to contribute to this project ?

EscapeK is currently in early stages. The core data model is stable and nearly completed; This model is sufficient for implementing the features of a first release. Development is now focusing of providing core business methods. In parallel the client GUI is developed so as to test these features. So, there are still many things to develop and the team is currently very small, only 2 people. Contributions in Java development is highly requested; Don't hesitate to contact the team is you think you have the following Java skills:

• Java development.
• Eclipse RCP application development.

If you want to learn and if you have enough base Java knowledge you're of course welcome.

We're also looking for people who can provide help in development plans. What features are mandatory for a CMDB software, what features should be present, ... ? People who can also provide documentation, tests, ideas are greatly welcome.

See the Get involved section to know how to contact us and get involved into the project.