Santhosh Kumaran, Prabir Nandi,

We present a new programming model for browser-based ebusiness. This programming model is based on the observation that a browser is used for not just browsing anymore. It is an important part of the internet infrastructure that serves as a key enabler of e-business. We use the notion of conversations to convert the passive browser to an active participant in e-business transactions. The conversational browser is configured using a set of downloadable policies. Conversation policies are used for the sequencing of messages exchanged between the browser and the backend systems. Presentation policies are used to render the views on the browser to create a flexible user interface. In addition to radically reducing the amount of programming needed to create and maintain e-business applications, the new programming model empowers the users by making it possible for them to influence the way the e-business transactions are structured. 1