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What's Your Engine Type

Choosing the right technology is crucial for software development, especially for document generation and reporting. Fluent Engines (formerly Windward) provide powerful tools, but picking the right one—RESTful, embedded .NET, or embedded Java—depends on your needs. This guide will help you understand the basics of each Fluent Engine to make the best choice for your project, and walk you through running your first report.

RESTful Fluent Engine​

This platform provides RESTful APIs for document generation that are versatile and can be integrated across various programming languages and frameworks. It supports cloud deployments for scalability and flexibility, features robust security measures, and is ideal for web applications, microservices, cross-platform solutions, and projects requiring cloud-native document capabilities.

Embedded Java Fluent Engine​

The embedded Java Engine is optimized for Java applications, offering platform independence and comprehensive Java APIs for seamless integration and customization. It facilitates efficient document generation within Java applications and is ideal for Java-based enterprise solutions, cross-platform projects, and software that integrates with popular Java frameworks while operating across diverse operating systems.

Embedded .NET Fluent Engine​

The embedded .NET Engine seamlessly integrates with .NET applications, offering high performance and efficiency for Windows-based deployments and extensive support for Microsoft technologies. It is ideal for enterprise applications developed with .NET, Windows desktop applications needing document generation, and projects requiring deep integration with Microsoft products like SharePoint or Dynamics, as well as solutions aimed at the Microsoft ecosystem.

Each Fluent Engine has its unique strengths and use cases, making it essential to choose the right engine based on your project requirements, technology stack, and development environment. The following sections will help you get started with your document generation journey. If you'd like more information to help you decide, you can find it here.