As discussed in the previous topics, developing ArcGIS Server applications is all about remotely programming ArcObjects. As such, the server API is wide and includes a large number of ArcObjects components organized into a series of object libraries. Developers can build any kind of application using the server API, so it is possible to build high-performance, scalable applications, and it is also possible to build extremely slow applications that do not scale.

The performace of the application is ultimatly in the hands of the developer and the GIS server administrator to work together to design applications that can perform and scale given available hardware resources. There are a variety of techniques to use when developing your application to optimize performace. These are described in the following topics: 

• Pooling objects with server objects
• Limiting query results and output
• Extending ArcGIS Server
• Monitoring performance

Note: The group of topics dealing with monitoring performance is part of the Managing your GIS Server section of this help system.