The tremendous growth of the World-Wide Web and new communication technologies on the basis of Internet have led to the development of novel languages and innovative techniques that support elegant models for distributed programming and computing. New emerging trends in the development of hydroinformatics such as collaborative decision support systems, distance learning, remote modelling (~) systems, and intelligent agent-based modelling have put a strong demand on Internet. Following the understanding of hydroinformatics as "information technology for managing water", necessarily there has to be a selection of appropriate information technology techniques to cope with these emerging trends in the future hydroinformatics systems. Currently, there are several existing technologies to satisfy new hydroinformatics demands using Web ' s client/server architecture: (i) Server Side Includes (SSI), (ii) Application Programming Interface (API), Common Gateway lnterface (CGI), (iv) ActiveX technology, (v) Java technology, and (vi) CORBA technology.
This study explores CGI, ActiveX and Java technologies for building RM hydroinformatics systems and contrasts their applicability in the world of hydroinformatics and water resources management in general. The main goal of the study is using above-mentioned technologies to build experimental remote modelling hydroinformatics systems - prototypes that can be executed form the people all over the world using IHE's Web site, mainly for educational and distance learning purposes.
A description of CGI, ActiveX and Java technologies, their philosophy, structure, advantages and disadvantages in this study is given. Implementing these technologies for RM on Internet, three prototypes of remote hydroinformatic applications were build: (i) open-channel steady flow application using CGI and Java technologies, (ii) water distribution modelling system using ActiveX technology and (ii) 1D free surface modelling system using Java technology. Several conclusions for RM in the field of hydroinformatics using Internet are drawn and future research directions are highlighted in this study.
In general, the goal and objectives of this study has been achieved - the prototype remote modelling hydroinformatics systems, described and implemented in this study, can be run successfully across the Web via the IHE hydroinformatics site http://www.ihe.nl/hi/index.htm.
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