Data Based Advisor articles from February 1992

Data Based Advisor archives from February 1992

Dateline. (new database products and company news)
February 1, 1992... POMPANO BEACH, FL -- Hot on the heels of announcing version 3.0 of the Clarion Professional Developer, Clarion Software and Jensen & Partners International (JPI) announced intentions to merge. JPI, known for its TopSpeed compilers, provided...

What's been abornin'? (the publication's 100th issue)(Publisher's Letter) (Column)
February 1, 1992... One hundred issues! With this February issue, Data Based Advisor celebrates 100 months of publication. Following the formula of many successful magazines, Data Based Advisor was founded in 1983 by spotting a computer need early. No other...

Celebrating the century mark. (the magazine's 100th issue)(Editor on the Go) (Editorial)
February 1, 1992... 100 issues! Data Based Advisor is 100 issues old. Excuse me while I sit down. If you've been reading DBA (as we call it) as long as I have, you should sit down too. I've been a reader since the third issue and part of DBA's editorial...

Feedback. (Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 1992... In "Create Database Applications with Visual Basic" (December 1991), Kenn Nesbitt left out one of the strongest products in the market for Visual Basic developers: Quadbase-SQL/Win. It has been advertised in your magazine since...

Corrections. (from the Detecting Errors in Queries article in the December 1991 issue)
February 1, 1992... Tim Colling points out errors in "Detecting Errors in Queries" (December 1991). The source code line: ; Proc QDoIt ( ) should have read: Proc QDoIt ( ) Two lines near the bottom that read: "QurrMsg : " , UserName ( ) , "\n" ,...

Patch your programs with DeltaFile or RTPatch. (hyperkinetix Inc.'s DeltaFile and PocketSoft Inc.'s RTPatch programs for distributing database application updates)(Test Drives) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
February 1, 1992... * PocketSoft, Inc. 7676 Hillmont, #195 Houston, TX 77040 (713) 460-5600 * hyperkinetix, Inc. 615 N. Poplar Ave. Orange, CA 92667 (714) 935-0823 Distributing applications to first-time users is easily handled by installation packages...

Dimensional Insight, Inc. (the Cross Target data analysis tool) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Dimensional Insight, Inc. is shipping Cross Target, a data analysis tool that lets you compile and analyze data from a variety of data sources. CrossTarget is comprised of three tools that may be purchased together or separately: Data...

Information Architects Inc. (the Xsupport for NetWare SQL database administration tool for NetWare SQL) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Information Architects, Inc., has released Xsupport for NetWare SQL, which, as the name implies, is a database administration tools for NetWare SQL, with versions for DOS and Windows. Create tables and indexes, view XQL and Btrieve status...

Virginia Systems Inc. (the Sonar Professional high-speed document search and text retrieval program) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Virginia Systems, Inc., the makers of text retrieval systems for the Macintosh and Sun SPARC platforms, and has announced Sonar Professional, a high-speed document search and text retrieval program that comes in two flavors for the PC: Sonar...

Solution Systems Inc. (the Sourcerer's Apprentice for Windows version control software system) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Solution Systems, Inc. has announced, Sourcerer's Apprentice for Windows. Sourcerer's Apprentice is a version control software system, now available for this GUI platform to help manage your Windows software development. Includes new file...

Software Publishing Corp. (Superbase SQL Library provides access to SQL database servers) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Software Publishing Corp. has announced Superbase SQL Library. It extends Superbase 4 Windows, providing access to SQL database servers, including Microsoft SQL Server on OS/2, Sybase on UNIX and DEC VMS, Gupta SQLBase on DOS and OS/2, XDB on...

AceFile: a flying ace for end users. (Ace Software Corp.'s AceFile Windows database management system)(Test Drives) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
February 1, 1992... * Ace Software Corp. 1740 Technology Dr. San Jose, CA 95110 (408) 437-3456, fax (408) 437-1018 AceFile, from Ace Software Corp., is another entry into Windows DBMS that lets you read and write to DBF files. According t that first line in...

Dual Clipper development track revealed. (Nantucket Corp.'s new version of the Clipper compiler)(Test Drives)
February 1, 1992... * Nantucket Corp. 12555 W. Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90066 (213) 390-7923 fax (213) 397-5469 MIAMI BEACH, FL--Nantucket Corp.'s recent Fall Developer's Conference was highlighted by glimpses of the anticipated new version of Clipper...

FYI. (four software industry statistics)
February 1, 1992... Number of software companies located in Washington state: 750 Retail price of Clipper in U.S. (in U.S. dollars) $795 Price of Clipper in Russia: 14,995 rubles Average monthly salary of a Russian programmer: 1,000 rubles

MicroStrategy Inc. (the EISToolKit spreadsheet-based development tool for retrieving data from spreadsheets and Structured Query Language databases) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... MicroStrategy, Inc. has released EISToolKit, a spreadsheet-based development tool that lets you create executive information systems, database client software, and custom applications that retrieve data from spreadsheets and SQL databases....

Windows watch: software update. (new software development and database products for Microsoft Windows) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... More new Windows software development and database products are popping up every month. Here are some of the hottest new releases to melt the frost off your Windows. Borland International has moved their flagship compiler to Windows, with...

Softwatch. (software packages now under development)
February 1, 1992... [TABULAR DATA OMITTED]

tBrowse revisited. (a revised tBrowse implementation)(Hardcore Clipper)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... Christopher G. Waters, a Clipper programmer in Allentown, PA writes, "I just reread 'Return of the Database Browse' (August 1991) on implementing a multi-line Browse. "What I'd like to do is highlight the entire multi-line record, using...

Making every record count. (Paradox Programmer)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... Have you ever had a "counter" field in Paradox--a field that has a "1" in the first record, "2" in the second record, and so on? It's a very common practice in Paradox to have tables with a counter field. How do you fill in the counter...

Move over to MDX files. (converting NDX index files to MDX files)(dBASE Developer)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... You should scrap NDX index files (even though dBASE IV supports them) for master index (MDX) files even though it means going into your applications and reworking the indexing code to comply with a new way of doing things. But why should you...

Consider C. (use of the C and C++ programming languages for database applications)(C/C++ Developer) (Column)
February 1, 1992... Suppose I gave you a PC, a description of a multifile database system, and a C language compiler. Your job is to create the system on the PC. With a C compiler? You could do it but it could take a long time. Or so you think... In this...

Managing your FoxPro 2.0 applications. (using the Project Manager)(FoxPro Developer)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... Identifying all of the programs and procedures that make up an application, using FOXBIND to bind them into a single procedure file, and compiling the resulting PRG is a time-consuming process. If you add a new program or procedure or need to...

Designing client/server applications. (Client/Server Advisor) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... Most developers are familiar with the traditional application development "systems cycle." According to systems theory, a system consists of parts that accept, process, and produce some output. Systems have flows, rates, stocks, or stores, and...

Training the client/server team... or how to teach old mainframers a new trick. (Client/Server Advisor) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... I'm often asked by clients if a "mainframer" with COBOL and VSAM experience can move into graphical interface development and PC-based relational databases on local area networks. Can mainframe staffers pick up the client/server technologies...

How clean is your data? (the importance of data quality in a downsizing project)(Client/Server Advisor) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... It seems that almost everyone is talking about downsizing mainframe and minicomputer applications to PC-based LANs. More and more organizations are successfully downsizing mission-critical systems. Articles on how to sell downsizing plans to...

Inside Microsoft SQL Server 4.2. (includes related articles on the new cursor application program interface in the package, compatibility issues with SQL Server 1.1x and understanding event alerters)(Client/Server Advisor)
February 1, 1992... Microsoft has addressed key shortcomings in the Sybase SQL Server line by adding cursor support and event alerters to SQL Server version 4.2. (The jump from version 1.11 to 4.2 was done to synchronize Microsoft's release with Sybase's SQL...

Using a mainframe as a server. (how to use Advanced Revelation as a PC client and Micro Decisionware's Database Gateway as a local area network-to-mainframe link)(Client/Server Advisor)
February 1, 1992... Our client has 52 offices in a sparsely-populated area of Western Canada roughly the size of Texas. The existing computer system is an IBM mainframe-based IDMS with 3270 communications to a small number of terminals in each office operated by...

Hook up with relational databases; here's why you should link your procedural-language product to a RDBMS. (Client/Server Advisor) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... This article discusses the interface between relational databases and non-relational products. In our examples we use Oracle and Clipper. It provides a foundation of what you'll need to know to program in a Relational Database Management...

Getting data into your server's tables. (how to import data into SQL Server and Oracle databases)(includes a related article on various software publishers' server plans)(Client/Server Advisor) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... Chances are you've done your share of moving data, and you're familiar with the jargon of file transfer: comma delimited versus fixed length ASCII, DBF, and WK1. But you may not know what most mini and mainframe database files are fixed-length...

"Big" news. (Bigtec's Bigtec SQL Object for Windows object manager for Microsoft SQL Server) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Bigtec, of Reading, PA, is shipping Bigtec SQL Object version 1.0 for Windows. Bigtec SQL Object is an object manager for Microsofft SQL Server. The new front end runs in Windows 3.0, and compliments the utilities that ship with Microsoft SQL...

An enhanced workbench. (Intelligent Environments' SQL/Workbench release 2) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Intelligent Environments (IE) has announced release 2 of SQL/Workbench, their productivity tool for SQL database access. The new release contains such enhancements as project management, version control and security for multiuser environments,...

The logic of entity relationships. (Logic Works' ERwin/ERX version 1.1 SQL database design and reverse engineering tool) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Logic Works announced their new version (1.1) of ERwin/ERX, a SQL database design and reverse engineering tool. The new version supports: DB2, Oracle, Ingres, SQL Server, SQLBase, Sybase, Informix, and Netware SQL. Besides generating SQL DDL...

NetWare does the RUMBA. (Wall Data Inc.'s Novell NetWare for SAA, NetWare SNA Gateway and LAN Workplace for DOS interfaces for the RUMBA PC-to-host connectivity software) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Wall Data, Inc. has introduced three new interfaces for RUMBA, Wall's PC-to-host connectivity software. They are: Novell NetWare for SAA, NetWare SNA Gateway, and LAN Workplace for DOS. It's now possible for Novell users to access mainframe...

Mozart "performs". (Mozart Systems Corp.'s Mozart 3.1 multi-platform application development tool) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Mozart Systems Corp. shipped Mozart 3.1, an upgraded version of the company's multi-platform application development tool. Mozart 3.1 now supports Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and OS/2 Database Manager. With Mozart 3.1, users can redesign...

Glue for client/server computing. (Dome Software Corp.'s Parley host database access software) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Dome Software Corp. released Parley, a new product that makes it easier to access host data without knowing the intricacies of the various corporate networks. Parley allows Macintosh, Windows, and VMS applications to talk to each other as well...

And in the gateway market.... (Data Interface Systems' DI3270 gateway software) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Users of Data Interface Systems' DI3270 gateway can now attach a number of third-party Windows-compatible emulation products. The new release supports DI's standard 3270 emulation software, as well as Windows-compatible emulators such as Wall...

It's more than an information handling system. (Winix America's Winix Network) (Client/Server Advisor: Packets) (Product Announcement)
February 1, 1992... Winix America has combined the forces of MS-DOS and Unix machines under the user interface of MS Windows 3.0 to create Winix Network. The network offers: Winix Manager--allows UNIX commands to be run within Windows and MS-DOS files to be...

Pick the right database management system from the start! (Database Report) (includes related articles offering advice from experts on selecting a database management system) (Cover Story)
February 1, 1992... Let's examine the story of a small but robust professional service organization in a major metropolitan area. Ahead of its time, several years ago the company installed a local area network (LAN) and used the few network editions of software...

Justify the cost of your database application. (Database Report)(includes a related article on hiring a consultant)
February 1, 1992... You've concluded that you need a database system. You've been keeping track of your employee's work habits on a scratch pad, or maybe you've been entering your weekly sales into a spreadsheet (but now you've run out of memory!), or Table...

Borland's ObjectVision grows up. (Borland International Inc.'s ObjectVision version 2.0) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
February 1, 1992... ObjectVision Version 2.0, $149.95 Upgrade from version 1.0, $49.95 Runtime, free with purchase Borland International 1800 Green Hills Road P.O. Box 660001 Scotts Valley, Calif. 95067 (408) 439-1411 ObjectVision 2.0 is a significant upgrade...

ObjectVision 2.0 vs. Visual Basic. (Borland International Inc.'s ObjectVision 2.0 and Microsoft Corp.'s Visual Basic Windows applications development programs are compared)
February 1, 1992... Borland International's ObjectVision 2.0 and Microsoft's Visual Basic are both Windows end-user application development platforms with visual interface design tools. Both are easy to use and let you create Windows applications quickly. So how...

Power Tools for system administrators; minimize post-installation maintenance by providing clients with the tools to maintain your applications. (The Expert Series: Paradox) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... Here's an excellent way to cut down on post-installation maintenance work: provide "power tools" to the people who manage the use of your programs at the client site. I call these users "Systems Administrators." The way I see it, the best...

Working with object classes now. (Integrated Development Corp.'s Class(y) 1.03 and Island Publishing's SuperClass 1.1 object-oriented programming extensions for Nantucket Corp.'s Clipper 5.01)(includes a related article on Software Perspectives' Clip/++ and Pinnacle Publishing's o:Clip) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
February 1, 1992... If you program in Clipper 5.01, you're probably aware that Nantucket provides four predefined classes of objects as the precursor to a truly object-oriented programming (OOP) language, but didn't provide the ability to create new object...

Stretching your memory: keep as much conventional memory free for your DOS programs using this month's tips. (The Expert Series: Windows)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... DOS terminate-and-stay-resident programs (TSRs) and devote drivers reduce the amount of conventional memory available in your PC. Moreover, any TSRs you have loaded when you start Windows reduces available memory in every copy of DOS you start...

Designing with templates: here's how to use FoxPro's template generator to make global modifications to your programs. (The Expert Series: FoxPro)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... FoxPro 2.0 allows you to access any design element (screen, menu, report, label, or project) using three methods. One method is to select an object--for example, a checkbox--and modify the information associated with it while in the screen...

The benefits of conditional compilation; with conditional compilation, test routines can be included in functions, then excluded. (The Expert Series: Clipper)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... One of the new features provided by Clipper 5.01's preprocessor is conditional compilation, a feature borrowed directly from the C language which allows you to determine which portions of source code in a given file to compile. Conditional...

Putting the pieces together; DBAVIEW is a thread organizer, an information base, and electronic book. (designing a thread database)(DB Connections)(column) (Tutorial)
February 1, 1992... One of the primary distinctions between humans and their evolutionary cousins is that people use tools. When people have new tools to use, it often changes their perspective of the task. Since writing DBAVIEW, I've noticed this process at...

Database Confidential. (rumors) (Column)
February 1, 1992... Does Bo know NetWare? He better if he's using Borland's QuattroPro 3 with NetWare 3.0. My accounting sources say watch out with this combo. When they open existing spreadsheets on the LAN, they can't Replace, which is to save a changed...