Four Seasons Software has begun shipping SuperNOVA v2.2. This version introduces a business graphics feature for SuperNOVA v2.2. The business graphics feature allows developers to compile and display data from different databases in a variety of graphical formats including scanned images, graphs, bar and pie charts. This feature allows business application developers, MIS managers and even end-users to benefit from SuperNOVA's database independence, which allows data to be shared across most platforms and operating systems.
One of SuperNOVA's capabilities is its ability to run in a distributed processing mode. Using an optional distributed processing capability, applications developed using SuperNOVA can run on a network consisting of various system types as well as different proprietary DBMS and operating systems. Running in the distributed mode, the complete network is available as one virtual computer system.
SuperNOVA v2.2 enhances the distributed processing mode by adding an Optimized Packet Handling feature. Applications can now transparently access data and processing routines at high speeds between network nodes. The network can be comprised of VMS, UNIX, and MS/DOS machines, even MS/DOS systems with only 640KB of memory. SuperNOVA v2.2 supports access to Teradata databases along with access to a range of other commercial Data Base Management Systems (DBMS), such as Informix, Oracle, Ingres, and Sybase, as well as flat files. Utilizing SuperNOVA's fourth generation language, applications can simultaneously integrate data from more than one DBMS and can run on a variety of operating systems including DOS, UNIX and VMS.
SuperNOVA v2.2 ranges in price from $995 to $115,000 depending on the hardware platform. Site licensing is available. For more information contact Four Seasons Software, 2025 Lincoln Highway, Edison, NJ 08817, (908) 248-6667, Fax (908) 248-6675.
Borland Ships Three Object-Oriented Software Tools For Microsoft Windows
Borland International, Inc. announced today the availability of three software development products that boost programmer productivity and accelerate the development and maintenance of software programs for Microsoft Windows and the DOS operating systems. The products which feature object-oriented C++, in addition to the C programming language, are: Turbo C++ for Windows 3.0, Borland C++ 3.0, and Borland C++ & Application Frameworks 3.0.Turbo C++ for Windows 3.0 offers an inexpensive route to Windows programming for entry level programmers. Major features include a graphical user interface, an object-oriented foundation that provides built-in objects to save developers time and coding, a library that enables DOS-based C and C++ programs to run instantly under Windows, and Borland's resource editor, a tool for visually creating Windows resources such as icons, dialogs, fonts, and bitmap graphics without writing code. Borland's C++ v3.0 compiler now supports global optimization. Tools available in Borland C++ 3.0 include an object-oriented assembler; Turbo Debugger for tracking down bugs; Turbo Profiler for Windows and DOS for locating bottlenecks in programs; and WinSight, for monitoring Windows messages.
Borland C++ & Application Frameworks 3.0 is the high-end product of Borland's C++ product line. It includes everything in Borland C++ 3.0, plus Object-Windows and Turbo Vision application frameworks, complete with source code for the frameworks and the runtime library. Borland's application frameworks define a standard user interface and behavior for Windows (using ObjectWindows) or DOS (using Turbo Vision). The application frameworks give programmers a head start toward creating applications by providing user-interface building blocks, fundamental data structures, and support for object-oriented programming.
Turbo C++ for Windows 3.0 carries a suggested retail price of $149.95. Borland C++ 3.0 has suggested a retail price of $495 and Borland C++ & Application Frameworks 3.0 carries a suggested retail price of $749. All products are available now through major resellers or direct through Borland.
Current users of Turbo C++ and Turbo C can upgrade to Turbo C++ for Windows 3.0 for $89.95. Turbo Pascal users can upgrade to Turbo c++ for Windows 3.0 for $99.95. For owners of Borland C++ 2.0 and Turbo C Professional, it will be $125 to upgrade to Borland C++ 3.0 and $199.95 to upgrade to Borland C++ & Application Frameworks 3.0. Borland C++ & Application Frameworks 2.0 users will automatically receive Borland C++ & Application Frameworks 3.0 free of charge. All prices, including the upgrade and offers, are in U.S. dollars and apply only in the U.S. and Canada.
For more information contact Borland, 1800 Green Hills Rd., P.O. Box 660001, Scotts Valley, CA 95067-0001, (408) 439-4825.
Softaid Introduces 80186EB Emulator
Softaid has released an In-Circuit Emulator for Intel's 80186EB macroprocessor. The UEM is composed of two tightly integrated parts: a full featured emulator, and Softaid's Source Level Debugger. The emulator hardware gives both EEs and firmware engineers the resources needed to debug an embedded system; the Source Level Debugger (SLD) wraps a shell around the emulator that gives the user full control over C and PL/M debugging. It includes 131,072 hardware breakpoints, each of which can be set on virtually any condition or machine cycle type. The user can nest breakpoint conditions up to five levels deep to find particularly devilish bugs.The UEM's real time trace collects machine cycles as the target program executes. The source level debugger shows trace data in the original source form, so the programmer can debug in the same context he wrote the code.
The UEM does come with a real time performance analyzer. The SLD automatically couples this to the C code, assigning one function per performance bin (255 maximum). A few seconds of work identifies time-critical routines that must be optimized. All UEM-Series emulators come with a memory access monitor that non-intrusively monitors all memory references. The user can specify areas of memory as being write protected, read and write protected, fetch protected (i.e., no fetches allowed), or open for any access. A breakpoint will occur if the mode is violated, immediately identifying code or pointers that "wander off." The 80186EB UEM costs $7500 and is available from stock. For more information contact Softaid, Inc., 8300 Guilford Road, Columbia, MD 21046, (410) 290-7760 or (800) 433-8812.
Ethernet Starter Kit
Crystal Computing Corporation has released an Ethernet starter kit, FreeLAN-E, which is suitable for small business or home office with 2 to 16 computers. With FreeLAN, the user can share printers/ plotters, share files, and run network version software at 10 Mbps speed. Starting from two users, FreeLAN can be easily upgraded to up to 256 users. And since it is peer-to-peer service, any machine on the FreeLAN network can share files or printers/plotters with any other users on the network. This Starter Kit package includes two 10 Mbps Ethernet cards, on e15' coax cable, two 50 ohm terminators, and Network Operating System for two users, featuring file sharing, file record locking, printer sharing/spooling, spool management and password protection. Furthermore, FreeLAN supports Novell Netware and Windows 3.0. It is NetBIOS based with NetBIOS included. FreeLAN supports IBM PC/XT/AT/386/486 and 100% compatibles, under MS-DOS 3.1 or later. FreeLAN starter kit is immediately available from Crystal Computing Corporation. The U.S. suggested retail price for FreeLAN-E, the Ethernet version, is $249. And the U.S. suggested list price for FreeLAN-A, the FreeLAN Arcnet starter kit, is $179.For more information contact Paul Chen, 3140 De La Cruz Blvd, Suite 200, Santa Clara, CA 95054, (408) 748-0685, (408) 748-0125, Fax (408) 748-0879.
Embedded SQL for Microsoft Visual Basic
Quadbase Systems Inc. has started shipping a new version of Quadbase-SQL/Win which includes a new library that allows Visual Basic programmers to use Embedded SQL to access the Quadbase's SQL engine under Microsoft Windows. Essentially, Embedded SQL allows interspersing of SQL and host programming language (in this case Visual Basic) statements. Called VBESQL, this new library supports ANSI standard Embedded-SQL syntax plus extensions such as scroll cursors and host variables of user-defined data types. An embedded SQL preprocessor for C is already included as a standard component of the product.Quadbase-SQL/Win is a full featured relational database engine in the form of a DLL that supports various Windows development languages such as Visual Basic, C, C++, Smalltalk/V Windows, ACTOR, SQLWindows etc. It fully supports ANSI SQL level 2 standard plus extensions offering advanced features such as referential integrity, outer join, multi-user concurrency control etc. The DLL can support multiple instances. It is very fast and compact. The underlying file formats are dBASE compatible. It is ideal for small to medium sized LAN file server systems or standalone or laptop machines. Users can benefit from advanced relational database features and be provided with migration path to SQL servers.
The system requires an IBM or compatible 286, 386, or 486 PC with hard disk, a minimum of 2MB of RAM, and Windows 3.0. For more information contact Quadbase Systems, (408) 738-6989, Fax (408) 738-6980.
Quality Assurance From Softran
C-Verify is a quality assurance tool which proves that your test suite has taken every possible path through your C-language program.All source modules which are compiled into the executable program are passed through the C-Verify preprocessor. C-Verify analyzes the program's logic and generates an index file containing a unique label reference for each logic branch. C-Verify also outputs a new version of the source containing function calls which generate a file list of all the logic branches taken when the executable is run.
The source output by C-Verify is compiled and run. As the program executes, the output file is built from the C-Verify label references for each logic branch taken during the run. Many different tests may be executed, passing the resulting logic probes into the output file for analysis.
When the test suite is finished, C-Verify compares the file containing all possible logic branches with the file containing branches actually taken, identifying which logic has and has not been covered by the test suite. The programmer may then devise additional tests which pass through the neglected logic and run C-Verify again until 100% coverage has been attained. For more information contact Softran Corporation, One Naperville Plaza, Naperville, IL 60563, (800) 462-3932, Fax (708) 505-3457.
C Development Environment
Interactive Development Environments, Inc. (IDE) of San Francisco, California, has released an upgrade of the C Development Environment. IDE has added reverse engineering and code generation modules, which provide the capability to synchronize code and design. IDE also has improved facilities to query the shared repository and navigate easily though designs, code, and documentation. Using the C Development Environment, developers can reverse engineer existing C source code into designs in the form of specifications and graphical representations, or start with designs and generate C source code. The C Development Environment maintains consistency between designs and code by incrementally updating one to reflect changes in the other. This product significantly expands IDE's market, since it now offers solutions to development teams working on existing systems as well as to developers who work primarily at the source code level. For more information call IDE, 595 Market St., 10th floor, San Francisco, CA 94105, (415) 543-0145, or 0483-579000 (U.K.), FAX (415) 543-0145.
EMS Expanded Utility Library
EMS Professional Shareware Libraries has released an expanded version of the dBUtility Library. Nearly 300 programs have been added to the library, bringing the total to 2000 different Public Domain and Shareware utilities designed specifically for Dbase language developers (including dBASE III/IV, FoxPRO, Clipper, QuickSilver, etc.) by over 1500 US and international firms. All files are compressed using PKZIP, but still fill 122 360KB or 31 1.44MB diskettes with over 110MB of material. The product includes a database index and search program for these and 900 additional commercial Dbase related utility programs, allowing searches by name, type, vendor, and free text searches. When programmers need to locate a particular type of Dbase utility or code routinne, they can find it without having to "reinvent the wheel". The library is $149 plus S/H. For further information contact EMS 4505 Buckhurst Ct., Olney MD 20832, (301) 924-3594, FAX (301) 963-2708.
Teamone Systems Upgrades Teamnet
TeamOne Systems, Inc. has released an upgrade of its TeamNet concurrent engineering environment for distributed configuration management. TeamNet 3.0 includes a new X Window graphical interface that significantly enhances ease-of-use, and improved process control and conflict resolution mechanisms for concurrent development. The new release also includes major performance upgrades over TeamNet 2.0 for configuration management function, a floating license facility, and enhanced NFS client access.TeamNet is a UNIX-based configuration and data management system that supports software, electronic, and mechanical engineering projects. TeamNet provides configuration management and version control by transparently tracking product development using any tool that runs on any platform on an NFS-based network. New tools can be immediately integrated into the TeamNet environment with no need to modify or encapsulate tools prior to use.
TeamNet 3.0 features an enhanced OPEN LOOK graphical interface, an enhanced conflict resolution process, and two-phase commit mechanism for checking in changes and managing work area and baseline updates. Network enhancements include virtual copy capability and a floating license system.
In networked environments TeamNet licenses are priced at $3,000 and will support an average of two concurrent users per license. For more information contact TeamOne Systems, Inc., (408) 730-3500.
Videotex Ships Upgraded Imaging Library
Version 3 of T-BASE, the advanced picture and document imaging library from Videotex Systems, Inc., has been released. Bundled with T-BASE is ChromaTools, an advanced color manipulation and image conversion utility. ChromaTools is also from Videotex Systems, Inc. T-BASE allows developers to add pictures and document images to their database management applications written in C, C++ and virtually every Xbase dialect. T-BASE supports any image in the PCX file format. Version 3 of T-BASE incorporates several new features never before available in an Xbase imaging library: Graphics @SAY and @GET commands, Automatic Image scaling, Image scaling on-the-fly, Support for 1024x768 monitors with 256 colors, Automatic color correction for multiple VGA images with different palettes. Because it is 100% royalty-free, T-BASE is the most cost-effective imaging library on the market. Once you buy T-BASE, you are free to use T-BASE to develop and sell as many applications as you want. T-BASE is also hardware independent, so it does not limit you to certain types of video cards or other equipment. T-BASE automatically detects your hardware connfiguration and adjusts itself to work in that configuration. No other Xbase imaging library offers this level of hardware independence. ChromaTools, which is bundled with T-BASE, is an advanced color manipulation and image conversion utility that makes it easy to convert images in a variety of file formats into a single format for inclusion in desktop presentations, CD ROM libraries, picture databases, demo disks, bulletin boards, advertising, kiosks and more. ChromaTools is a $249 value. T-BASE has a suggested retail price of $495 and is available from dealers nationwide as well as from Videotex Systems, Inc. For more information contact Videotex Systems, Inc., 8499 Greenville Ave., Suite 205, Dallas, Texas 75231, (800) 888-4336 or (214) 343-4500, FAX (214) 348-3821.
High-Performance 80486-Based Eisa Single Board Computer
Diversified Technology has introduced the ESP2000, an 80486 based EISA system processor. This processor is based on a passive backplane architecture and incorporates Intel's latest 82350DT chip set. Operating at 33MHz, the ESP2000 utilizes a CPU-to-memory protocol which allows the memory subsection to operate independently of the CPU clock. This protocol also insures a smooth transition to 50MHz board options planned for future release.The ESP2000's high performance is due largely to the internal cache in the 80486. In addition to the internal cache, the ESP2000 provides a local memory architecture that consists of four-way interleaving and 128-bit "burst" accesses to provide near zero wait state performance. Up to 64MB of system memory is supported and this memory is field upgradable accepting 256KB, 512KB, 1MB and 2MB by 36 SIMM modules.
The ESP2000 also provides support for an optional Intel Turbo cache module. Both 64KB and 128KB modules are supported. The architecture implemented is a "parallel" cache; thus, it resides in parallel with the CPU and local DRAM. As a result, local DRAM cycles can by initiated in parallel with cache TAGRAM lookup, precluding any penalty typically associated with a cache lookup.
This single board computer's bus operates at the EISA standard and ISA backward compatible bus speed of 8.33MHZ. The EISA bus DMA channels can operate in both eight- and 16-bit modes with EISA/ISA bus slaves and masters, and 32 bit modes with EISA slaves and master. The interface of EISA masters to memory is optimized such that the memory is capable of sustaining the full 33 megabytes per second bandwidth as defined in the EISA specification.
Combined with one of Diversified Technologies' EBP series of EISA backplanes, the ESP2000 provides the EISA designer with a system capable of supporting six intelligent EISA bus masters simultaneously for demanding applications. To ensure compliance with FCC and Underwriters Laboratory regulations, the ESP2000 incorporates extensive design measures for EMI/RFI emissions control and U.L. safety requirements.
The 33MHz EISA "486" ESP2000 without RAM is priced at $2,595 in single piece quantities. Allow 1 to 4 weeks delivery ARO. For further information contact Diversified Technology Inc., (800) 443-2667.
Upgrade Of C Library
Sequiter Software Inc., announced the release of CodeBase 4.5, a multi-user, database management library for C, C++, Visual Basic and Turbo Pascal for Windows. Programmers can now work directly with the data, index and memo files of dBASE, FoxPro, and Clipper from DOS or Microsoft Windows. The latest FoxPro 2.0 and dBASE IV index file formats are now supported.CodeBase 4.5 gives C/C++ programmers the ability to enhance the data entry capabilities of Microsoft Windows with entry validation and picture templates. CodeBase 4.5 database browse and edit windows can be designed using any resource toolkit. The CodeBase 4.5 library may also be used as a royalty free DLL.
CodeBase 4.5, with complete multi-user source code and a 90 day money back guarantee, lists at US$395. For more information contact Sequiter Software Inc. #209, 9644-54 Ave., Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6E 5V1, (403) 437-2410, FAX (403) 436-2999.
Object Professional For C++
TurboPower Software announces Object Professional for C++, a library of textmode user interface objects. Object Professional for C++ (OPC) is a straight port of the user interface objects from Object Professional for Turbo Pascal.OPC includes high-level objects such as text editors, dialog boxes, scrolling data entry screens, help systems, and more. The user interfaces are ready-to-use, and built-in calls allow programmers to customize the behavior. OPC does not use event-driven programming. Applications built using OPC will run nicely in 640KB 8088-based PCs. OPC includes utilities to help build menu systems and data entry screens. The utilities support interactive design and testing and then automatically generate source code.
OPC includes full source code, 1,300 pages of documentation, pop-up help, and plenty of example and demo programs. No payment of royalties is required. OPC requires Borland C++ 2.0 or 3.0. Object Professional for C++ costs $249. For futher information contact TurboPower Software, P.O. Box 49009, Colorado Springs, CO 80949-9009, (800) 333-4160, FAX (719) 260-7151.
New Server For OS/2
Laurel, MD-XDB Systems, Inc., has released an upgrade of their SQL Engine for OS/2, the XDB-SERVER. With the XDB-SERVER for OS/2 2.41, DB2 applications become portable to client-server platforms. Since the XDB-SERVER is network independent, DB2 compatibility can exist on multiple platforms and operating systems.Multiple physical disk volumes are now supported. Now developers can utilize multiple disk volumes to separate various data objects like indices and databases thereby decreasing the amount of time required to retrieve data. The size of a database is also no longer limited by the size of one OS/2 disk volume. In addition, the XDB-SERVER for OS/2 version 2.41 has enhanced its query optimization.
XDB's SQL Engine provides the same mainframe quality implementation as DB2 including referential integrity, record level locking, rollback and recovery, field level security, etc. The XDB-SERVER is built using the client-server architecture. The XDB SERVER for OS/2 supports both the Named Pipes and Netbios protocols.
The price of the XDB-SERVER for OS/2 version 2.41 is $2495. For more information contact XDB Systems, Inc., 14700 Sweitzer Lane, Laurel, MD 20707-2921; (301) 317-6800.
Database Application Generator
Novato-based software developer Kedwell has just released a new version of its database application generator, DataBoss. Unlike database management systems such as dbase IV and Paradox, DataBoss doesn't have it's own language. To create applications you team it up with a Pascal, C, or C++ compiler. While this can make some things more complex, it also makes DataBoss very flexible. If DataBoss doesn't give you quite what you want you can add your own code or use library functions to add extra functionality. it also makes it very easty to port DataBoss applications to other platforms, and since you're delivering a compiled program you don't have to worry about run-time or licenses.DataBoss supports Borland's Turbo Pascal v5.0, v5.5, and v6.0; Borland C++; Turbo C v2.0, Turbo C++; and Microsoft's C compilers v5.1 and v6.0. It can also be used with Microsoft QuickC compilers but the integrations isn't as tight. DataBoss can be used to create mutliuser LAN-based applications as well as single-user applications. It supports Novell, 3Com, Tops, 10-Net and PC-MOS systems.
DataBoss creates applications that use B-tree indexed files, which are reorganized whenever the database is updated so as to reduce data access times. Because it uses the B-tree indexes and because it is compiled, a DataBoss application is generally faster than a similar application developed using DBMS system.
For more information contact Kedwell Software, 7460 Redwood Boulevard, Suite A, Novato, CA 94945, (415) 899-8525, FAX(415) 899-8524.
Upgraded Library From Friendly Solutions
The Friendly Solutions (TFS) Company has released their software package, C*DRIVE v1.1. C*DRIVE v1.1 has added features such as extensive validity checking for data entry in the 'GET' system, mouse capabilities incorporated into the menu system, virtual shadows for drawing boxes, complete mouse module, function for scrolling arrays, pop-up calculator, and pop-up calendar. The source code for whole library is included, rolyalty free. For further information contact The Friendly Solutions, 6309 Chimney Woods Ct, Alexandria, VA 22036, (703) 765-0654.
Announcing Softcode Version 2.5
Bottleworks Development Corporation has recently started shipping version 2.5 of its template-driven code generator, SoftCode. SoftCode includes a menu-driven screen editor that allows developers to visually create customized field definitions and user interfaces. SoftCode's screen editor is designed to allow developers to create full working prototypes quickly and easily. Enhancements to the screen editor in version 2.5 include the ability to customize the screen editing environment and create windows; enhanced field validation, and the ability to select and use fields and screens from external programs.The template sets available for Soft-Code 2.5 have also been significantly enhanced. Templates are language-specific: there are separate templates for C, Basic, Pascal, dBASE IV, Clipper, FoxPro, Arago and Quicksilver/dBXL, each of which takes developers to generate complete multi-file applications including pop-up picklist menus, pop-up trigger windows and context-sensitive help. In addition, the Xbase-specific templates support scrollable, multi-record views. Each template includes on-line help and comes with source code which can be modified.
SoftCode 2.5 retails for $295 and includes one template set and a 30-day guarantee. Additional templates retail for $149 each. For further information contact Bottleworks Development Co., 333 Hempstead Avenue, Suite 213, Malverne, N.Y 11565, (516) 596-9700, FAX (516) 596-9701.
