My First project @ Cognizant – ALDSP and XQuery

My First project @ Cognizant – ALDSP and XQuery

On 23^rd September 2009, I joined Cognizant, after the first day induction program, I was asked to work on the project which was already started. In that project, project lead gave me a list of technologies which are going to be used.  I was offered with the backend part which was considered as tough part in the project

ALDSP and Spring Batch

Backend part – this project was designed in such a way that, batch will generate image and xhtml files ( I was not there when the design decisions were made. Before I join cognizant all these decisions were made).

I was really happy to know that, I got a chance again to work using my favorite framework – Spring. But there was couple of new technologies involved with spring batch. I always want to be a good learner, I try to do so. I have started learning ALSDP (a bea weblogic product). But un – fortunately / fortunately the basic setup / platform was already developed.

I started learning ALSDP, now I am really confident that I can convert any complex SQL query to XQuery and I can do any kind of data manipulation in XQuery. Now I am writing this post to let all the beginners to have the basic understanding about ALDSP and XQuery.

Introduction to ALDSP and XQuery

As I told before ALDSP is a Bea weblogic product, it’s helps us to create web service easier.  ALDSP – Aqua Logic Data Service Platform is a tool to develop web service and it uses XQuery language to fetch data from the database.

It has two types of DS files ( logical and physical data service).  

Physical – this DS acts as a physical table / view. We can create this DS from a table or view or stored procedure or SQL query.

Logical – We will have all the data manipulation process here. Logical DS is further divided into two types.

 1. Entity data service – here we should have functions which is getting exposed as a web service.

2.  Library data service – here we should have functions which is not getting exposed as a web service. All the function written here will acts as a reusable methods. This DS can be imported in the various entity data service.

Best Practice

DO’s

1.       All the DS files should have schema (xsd) associated with it

2.       Physical DS should only have the functions like create and table / view function.

Don’t (usually I will concentrate more on the Don’t part. Whatever be the technology, if we avoid all the don’ts, we will definitely have a standard code)

1. Physical DS should not have any user defined functions.  
2.  Entity DS should not have any functions which are not getting exposed as a web service.
3.  Logical DS should not have any functions which are getting exposed as a web service
4.  Any web service functions should not be without a schema defined. 

I will keep writing more about ALDSP and XQuery on my upcoming posts.

Linux up 60% YoY, Windows down 4.02%

I was thinking what to write…… Then I thought I can write something about my favorite LINUX. I remember there was statistics release on April – 2009. I know it pretty old news, but still I thought I can post this here….

On April – 2009, there was a statistics released by hitslink, according to that GNU/LINUX has hit 1% market share during April, 2009.

A year back Linux had market share of 0.63% (April 2008). It’s an increase of over 60% year over year for GNU/Linux. Year over year, Windows had a decrease of 4.02% (from 91.58% to 87.9%).  Still going down….

Click here to see the market share statistics

Click here to see the W3schools statistics on OS Platform

Payment Gateway selection from available service providers in India and abroad

1. Paysignet - http://paysignet.com/keyfeatures.asp

The Paysignet payment gateway provides easy to integrate payment gateway processing. But they do not have a physical address for anyone to get in touch. Call Toll Free during Business Hours (10:00 to 18:00 hrs) : 1800-425-4111 . This is the only contact info available on their website.

Paysignet

Product Features : credit cards, debit cards, net banking, mobile payments, cash cards

Startup Cost : 6000-50000

Transaction cost : 2.75% - 5%

Security deposit : Nil

Due Diligence : Nil

Recurring cost : 1500 – 5000

Integration : Easy – 1 Hour

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Live Chat, shopping cart ready, instant SMS, email, Detailed reports

Website : http://paysignet.com/keyfeatures.asp

2. CCavenue - http://www.ccavenue.com/

The CCavenue is considered one of the best and most popular payment gateway for India. Many of the Indian ecommerce based websites prefer this payment gateway of transaction in India Rupees as well as accepting credit cards with foreign currencies. All Major International and Indian Credit Cards are Processed by CCAvenue.

CCAvenue

Product Features : credit cards, debit cards, net banking, mobile payments, cash cards

Startup Cost : 7500 - 40000

Transaction cost : 3.75% - 7%

Security deposit : Nil

Due Diligence : Nil

Recurring cost : 1200 - 3600

Integration : Easy – 1 Hour

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Live Chat, shopping cart ready, instant SMS, email, Detailed reports

Website : http://www.ccavenue.com

3. ABCpayments - http://www.abcpayments.com/pricing.html

ABCpayments accepts bank transfers, credit card payments and prepaid cash cards payments. The internet banking trend has increased drastically in the recent years and use of credit cards online has been outspaced by online banking. ABCpayments claimis to offer the benefit to transact through all major banks in India by bringing them on one common platform that offers one point contact for all banking transactions.

ABCpayments

Product Features : credit cards, debit cards, net banking

Startup Cost : 10000 - 28000

Transaction cost : 5% - 7%

Security deposit : Nil

Due Diligence : Nil

Recurring cost : Nil

Integration : Easy – 1 Hour

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Live Chat, shopping cart ready, instant SMS, email, Detailed reports

Website : http://www.abcpayments.com/pricing.html

3. EBS - http://www.ebs.in/pricing_advantages.php

EBS

Product Features : credit cards, debit cards, net banking

Startup Cost : 6000 - 30000

Transaction cost : 3.25% - 6%

Security deposit : Nil

Due Diligence : Nil

Recurring cost : 2400

Integration : 7 working days

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Live Chat, shopping cart ready, instant SMS, email, Detailed reports

Website : http://www.ebs.in/pricing_advantages.php

EBS has provided detailed information about how the entire online ecommerce transaction takes place and how EBS handles the transactions.

How an online Transaction takes place.

Step 1: Customer select and adds item in the shopping cart And places the order on your (merchant) website.

Step 2: Customer selects to pay via credit card .

Step 3: Customer is redirected through EBS Payment Gateway to Transaction Processing Bank.

Step 4: Customer enters credit card details on Secured Payment page.

Step 5: Credit card information is transmitted securely to the corresponding bank for approval.

Step 6: Corresponding bank sends appropriate information to the transaction Processing bank .

Step 7: The result is forwarded to EBS (via the Transaction Processing Bank).

Step 8: Customer receives a confirmation and is redirected to your (merchant) website.

4. Transecute - https://www.transecute.com

Kindly note that Transecute is currently not giving out any new accounts.

5. HDFC - http://www.hdfcbank.com/wholesale/corporates/payment_gateway_services.htm

HDFC Credit card service provider. This is provided by HDFC Bank one of the most reliable banking service providers in India. HDFC payment gateway follows very stringent rules and does a lot of due diligence of the company who wants to have a payment gateway service. We at Dimakh Consultants have used their service for a few of our clients are we are very happy with the service provided by HDFC payment gateway.

HDFC Bank

Product Features : Credit Cards

Startup Cost : 10000 - 50000

Transaction cost : 3.5% - 6%

Security deposit : 50000 - depends on Due Diligence

Due Diligence : YES

Recurring cost : 12000

Integration : 3 weeks

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Email and Telephonic support available

6. WorldPay - http://www.worldpay.com/business/content.php?page=pricing2&c=UK

WorldPay is more used for those transactions which are for foreign transactions. They payment can be linked for Indian Payment currency. It has a very strong and secure system. The charges are very high as compared to other service providers.

WorldPay

Product Features : Credit Cards

Startup Cost : GBP 200

Transaction cost : 4.5% - 6% + GBP 0.50 per transaction

Security deposit : NIL

Due Diligence : NIL

Recurring cost : GBP 30 per month

Integration : 1 hour easy

Security : Yes

Additional Features : live support

Website : http://www.worldpay.com/business/content.php?page=pricing2&c=UK

7. Paypal - http://www.paypal.com/

Paypal is by far one of the most popular and widely used service provide for online payment worldwide. Paypal has a strong network and presence and also offers multi currency support. For India it has a special facility by which you can accept payment in foreign curreny and transfer the money to your Indian bank account at the prevailing $ rates. The payments reaches you in 5-7 working days.

PayPal

Product Features : Credit Cards

Startup Cost : Nil

Transaction cost : 1.9% - 6% + $ 0.30 per transaction

Security deposit : NIL

Due Diligence : Applicable for Non Profit Organizations

Recurring cost : NIL

Integration : 1 hour easy

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Currency conversion fee - 2.5% added to the exchange rate

Website : http://www.paypal.com/

8. ICICI Bank Payment gateway - payseal

The Popular ICICI Bank allows companies to accept secure payments using credit cards via the Internet. They operate under the brand of Payseal. The integration is very complicated and needs knowledge of java for integration. The charges vary based on transactions volume. This is one of the oldest service providers in India.

ICICI Payseal

Product Features : Credit Cards

Startup Cost : 40000

Transaction cost : 3% - 6%

Security deposit : 25000

Due Diligence : Yes

Recurring cost : 20000

Integration : 3 weeks

Security : Yes

Additional Features : Needs java support for your website.

Website : www.payseal.com

A few other payment gateway service providers are

Authorize.net - http://www.authorize.net/

Google checkout - http://checkout.google.com/

HSBC Payment gateway - No Information available - contact your local bank branch

eazy2pay - https://www.eazy2pay.com/

Billdesk - http://www.billdesk.com/

This will give you all the details of selecting the correct payment gateway for your website. You can accept Visa cards, Master cards and also do bank transfers.

myLot User Profile

Home Loan Tips

The home buying process can seem complicated, but if you take things step-by-step and you know how to choose the right home loan, you will soon be holding the keys to your own home!

Ten steps to buying a home

Step 1: Figure out how much you can afford. What you can afford depends on your income, credit rating, current monthly expenses, down payment and the interest rate. The calculators can help, but it is best to visit a lender to find out for sure. A housing counselor can help you figure out how to manage and pay off your debt, and start saving for that down payment!

Step 2: Know your rights

Step 3: Shop for a loan. Save money by doing your homework. Talk to several lenders, compare costs and interest rates, and negotiate to get a better deal. Consider getting pre-approved for a loan.

Step 4: Learn about home buying programs

Step 5: Shop for a home. Choose a real estate agent, Wish list - what features do you want, Home-shopping checklist - take this list with you when comparing homes.

Step 6: Make an offer. Discuss the process with your real estate agent. If the seller counters your offer, you may need to negotiate until you both agree to the terms of the sale.

Step 7: Get a home inspection. Make your offer contingent on a home inspection. An inspection will tell you about the condition of the home, and can help you avoid buying a home that needs major repairs.

Step 8: Shop for homeowners insurance Lenders require that you have homeowners insurance. Be sure to shop around.

Step 9: Sign papers. You're finally ready to go to "settlement" or "closing." Be sure to read everything before you sign!

Terms used in Housing Finance

• EMI: Equated Monthly Installment till the loan is paid back. It consists of a portion of interest and the principal
  
  
• Floating Rate of interest: Rate of interest which varies with the market lending rate. This means that there is an element of risk of paying more than budgeted amount in case the lending rates goes up
  
  
• Monthly Reducing balance: In this system interest reduces monthly with repayment of Principal amount
  
  
• Annual Reducing Balance: In this system principal is reduced annually at the end of the year so you end up paying interest even for the portion of principal you have actually paid back
  
  
• Fixed rate of interest: Rate of interest remains unchanged throughout the period of the loan
  
  
• Processing charge: It's a fee payable to the lender on applying for the loan
  
  
• Prepayment Penalties: When loan is paid back before the agreed term of the loan, then banks/ institutions charge penalty for the prepayment
  
  
• Commitment Fee: Some institution charge commitment fee in case the loan is not availed within a stipulated period, after it is processed and sanctioned
  
• Miscellaneous Cost: It is quite possible that some lenders may charge documentation or consultant charges .