Stata web services: Toward Stata-based healthcare informatics applications integrated in a service-oriented architecture (SOA)

Abstract

Stata has many functions that can be used in decision support systems, forecasting systems, and, generally, applications that use analytical or modeling functionalities. A web interface with an HTML/JS graphical user interface or an XML-based web service are convenient approaches for exposing Stata-based programs on public and private computer networks. However, using Stata through a web interface or integrating it into a corporate software environment such as a service-oriented architecture can be challenging. Usually, Stata-based programs need to be translated (reimplemented) in a different programming language to be used through the aforementioned interfaces. These reimplementations can be problematic, time consuming, and error prone. We describe an approach for using Stata-based applications directly through a web interface, the requirements for such applications, and the limitations of this approach. We then discuss modern software engineering solutions for software integration scenarios in healthcare informatics and potential use for Stata-based decision support systems in this field.