JavaScript grid abstractions

Abstract

In this paper, we describe a Grid abstraction framework that allows access to the Grid infrastructure using JavaScript while leveraging the power of current Grid middleware and upperware toolkits such as the Globus Toolkit and the Java Commodity Grid (CoG) Kit . The system is heavily based on Web 2.0 technologies and allows accessing the Grid through a Service-Oriented Architecture. An application interface in JavaScript is provided to enable developers to access Grid services from JavaScript. Moreover, our framework includes additional services to enable the creation of advanced Grid services. The availability of our framework simplifies not only the development of new services but also the development of advanced client side Grid applications. We demonstrate this ability while providing a mechanism to develop Grid workflows through advanced services and a graphical user interface defined in JavaScript. Overall, Grid developers will have another tool at their disposal that projects a simpler way to distribute and maintain software while at the same time being able to deliver quickly advanced interfaces and social services for the scientific community.