Data Based Advisor articles from July 1994

Data Based Advisor archives from July 1994

Computer Associates acquires The ASK Group. (Brief Article)
July 1, 1994... Further decreasing its dependence on mainframe software lines and building its client/server suite, Computer Associates will acquire The ASK Group, the financially troubled database server company for about $309 million. The ASK Group's...

Symantec tips SCALE in its favor. (Enterprise Developer database application development software includes Scalable Architecture for Large Enterprise technology) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Symantec hopes to get to the heart of corporate application development with Enterprise Developer, a tool based on Symantec's SCALE (Scalable Architecture for Large Enterprise) technology, which the company says it uses to "isolate" the...

IBM's RDBM for AS/400. (DB2/400 3.0 database management system for AS/400 minicomputers) (Brief Article)
July 1, 1994... IBM is positioning DB2/400 Version 3, its relational database management system for the AS/400, to compete with UNIX-based leaders like Oracle, Sybase, and Informix. DB2/400 has support for distributed databases, on-line backup capabilities,...

Spinnaker spinoff. (ObjectPlus Corp acquires PLUS Division of Spinnaker Software) (Brief Article)
July 1, 1994... ObjectPlus Corp. has been formed and has acquired the assets of the PLUS Division of Spinnaker Software, including the PLUS technology (an object-oriented development environment for GUI applications.) ObjectPlus is targeting large software...

Seagate acquires Crystal. (Seagate Technologies Inc acquires Crystal Services) (Brief Article)
July 1, 1994... Continuing its expansion into the software market, Seagate will acquire Vancouver-based Crystal Services, makers of the Crystal Reports line of Windows-based reporting and data access tools. The acquisition will be a stock transaction valued...

Mergers, innovations, conferences. (Symantec introduces Enterprise Developer database application development software at PC Expo; 1994 Developers Conference and Advisor Developers Competition; 1994 Access Advisor Conference and Exposition) (Editorial) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Symantec, a company known for its popular Norton utilities, and other handy tools, specialized applications, and Macintosh programming languages, is entering a new arena: client/server development. From a different corner of Symantec...

Visual programming. (Diamond Head Software Inc's ImageBasic application development software supports document imaging) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... ImageBasic is a visual programming environment that includes tools to develop and implement a document imaging solution. Controls automatically snap into the Visual Basic programming environment. Users can produce imaging solutions by setting...

Database access tool. (Software Centric's Strike! for Windows dynamic link libraries) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Strike! for Windows is a collection of Dynamic Link Libraries (DLLs) that provides concurrent access to Microsoft/Sybase SQL Server, Oracle, and Gupta Corp. 's SQLBase DBMSs using SQL from any Windows frontend tool with support for calling...

Renaissance reinvents Paradox data entry programming. (Ensemble Corp's Renaissance application development software) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... Ensemble Corp.'s Renaissance, a Paradox for DOS data-entry session handler, simplifies or eliminates most of the tedium that goes along with data-entry programming by letting developers build applications visually in an interactive...

UnInstaller makes Window washing a breeze. (MicroHelp Inc's UnInstaller 2 file deletion utility program) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... As enthusiastic computer users, many of us have a tendency to load up our systems with a plethora of software. Back in the bad old days of DOS, a 30M hard disk held an incredible amount of software. No more. In the world of Windows,...

Help-authoring tool. (ExpoTech's Help Authoring Tool 2.0 programming utility for developing professional help systems) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... ExpoTech will sell and market Help Authoring Tool, version 2.0. H.A.T. 2.0 will be available for Windows, NT, DOS, OS/2, Macintosh, and Windows networking. Uses one "Guru" for each major function to provide platform for writing professional...

Speed increases. (Grumpfish Inc's Grumpfish Speller 1.2 add-on spell-checking library for Computer Associates' CA-Clipper 5.X database application development software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Version 1.2 of Grumpfish Speller is the latest release of the add-on spellchecking library for CA-Clipper 5.x. Informal benchmarking tests show a 621 percent speed increase. The dictionary was compressed, making the full dictionary (86,000...

Spreadsheet development tool. (VisualTools' Formula One/VBX programming utility) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Formula One/VBX is component software that incorporates features of Microsoft Excel within Visual Basic, Visual C++, Borland C++, and other VBX supported Windows development environments. Provides VBX that makes spreadsheet functionality...

OLE 2.0 automation. (Nielsen Marketing Research's Report Writer 2.0 report generation software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Nielsen Marketing Research's Report Writer version 2.0 supports OLE 2.0 to let users create customized versions of Report Writer and link its capabilities to other applications with a standard macro programming language. Provides automatic...

CASE Workbench. (CHEN & Associates' ER-Modeler for Windows CASE workbench for database design and SchemaGens program for generating data definition schemas) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... ER-Modeler for Windows is a CASE workbench for database design. Supports data and process modeling, schema generation, and reverse engineering for more than 30 DBMSs. Migration/conversion and normalization are supported. Gane-Sarson and...

Object-based tool. (MENAI's Gamelon File I/O Library object-based persistent storage library) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Gamelon File I/O Library is an object-based persistent storage library for programmers and application developers. Contains file access API to provide free-from data storage and data association capabilities. Provides data association...

Xbase generator. (Bytel's Genifer 4.1 database application development software for dBASE, Clipper and FoxPro) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... GENIFER 4.01 is a new release of Bytel's Xbase generator that creates applications for dBASE and Clipper under DOS, and FoxPro under Windows. Templates provide application development tools that create multi-window, multi-file, mouse-driven...

Client/server tool for PowerBuilder. (AJJA's PowerGuide 4.0 automated architectural framework for users of Powersoft's PowerBuilder database application development software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... PowerGuide 4.0 is the latest version of the automated architectural framework for client/server application developers using PowerBuilder. Designed to help PowerBuilder applications mesh smoothly with each other and organization's existing...

New generation DBMS. (ADB Inc's MATISSE 2.3 object-oriented DBMS) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... M.A.T.I.S.S.E. version 2.3 is a new generation database management system that combines object-oriented modeling capabilities with mission critical transactional technology. Major enhancements are embedded SQL with OQL extensions, additional...

PowerBuilder class libraries. (Westwind Development's Framework 2000 programming utility for users of Powersoft's PowerBuilder database application development software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Framework 2000 is a set of PowerBuilder application foundation class libraries, standards and guidelines that provide framework and architecture for application development. Features include: application standards; Framework 2000 Class...

Distributed Revision Tracking System. (Innovative Language Systems Inc's DRTS suite of code management tools) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... DRTS for Windows is a suite of code management tools that lets individuals and teams work in parallel to speed development process. Simplifies software version, revision control and release integration. Provides integration across computing...

Support for BLObs. (Copia International's AccSys for Paradox database library includes support for public and private binary large objects) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... AccSys for Paradox database library supports Paradox 4.5 and adds support for public and private BLObs (binary large objects), composite secondary filed indexes, and case insensitive secondary indexes. Offers support for engine compatible...

Client/server reporting tool. (Information Builders' FOCUS Reporter for Windows report generation software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... FOCUS Reporter for Windows 1.0 is a client/server reporting tool that can develop complex enterprise reporting and decision support applications. 4th generation language for end-user computing, decision support, application development....

WATCOM SQL Servers for OS/2. (Watcom International's WATCOM SQL Network Servers for OS/2, NetWare and Windows NT database application development software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... WATCOM SQL Network Servers for OS/2, NetWare, and Windows NT has multitasking capabilities to run concurrently with other applications, in single and multiuser versions. Applications can run without change in environments from singleuser...

Multimedia help system. (Blue Sky Software's Multimedia WinHelp tool for developing Windows-based help systems and WindowsMAKER 5.5 application development software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... Multimedia WinHelp allows users to create and integrate video and sound, graphical push buttons, and 256-color bitmaps into Windows help systems. Allows .AVI, .WAV, AND .BMP files to be played real time directly out of help file. Can be used...

Version compatibility. (Desaware's VersionStamper-VB version control software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... VersionStamper-VB 1.0 is a companion product to Microsoft Visual Basic 3.0 that lets users embed version information into a VBbased executable for both the executable and all the DLLs and custom controls used by it. Allows for instant...

SCO/FoxBASE upgrade. (Workgroup Solutions FoxBASE Converter Kit code translator/interpreter) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... FoxBASE Converter Kit is a code translator/interpreter that allows SCO/FoxBASE developers to move existing apps to Flagship and also a library of .ch and .prg command files that are added to Flagship. Enables Flagship to interpret and compile...

Sybase SQL Server 10 support. (FlexiWare's FlexiFinancials client/server financial application system designed to support Sybase's SQL Server 10 RDBMS) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... FlexiFinancials client/server financial application system is interoperable at code-specific levels with Sybase, Inc.'s SQL Server 10 RDBMS. High performance solution for managing networked distribution of information to managers. Has set of...

Managing large client/server enterprises. (Tivoli Systems' Tivoli Management Environment 2.0 enterprise-wide network management software) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... The Tivoli Management Environment (TME) version 2.0 is designed to manage large, geographically distributed, enterprise-wide client/server systems. Features centralized management of multiple remote locations, rules-based technology, support...

SQL-based client/server accounting system. (Solomon Software's Solomon IV Independent Developer Program programming utility for Solomon IV for Windows integrated accounting application) (Brief Article) (Product Announcement)
July 1, 1994... The Solomon IV Independent Developer Program supports Solomon IV for Windows, a SQL-based client/server accounting information system. The system is built with Visual Basic and other tools and has built-in customization features, allowing...

Streamline FoxPro development with DTools. (EL Software's set of utility functions for Microsoft's FoxPro database application development software) (Test Drives) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... DTools, published by EL Software, is a set of utility functions designed to assist the FoxPro developer during and after the development process. The functions, designed with the professional in mind, are intended to streamline development...

Visual Xbase: an IDE ... and more. (Integrated Design Environment) (Rytech International's Visual Xbase application generator) (Test Drives) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... Rytech International, Inc. is seeking to expand on the success of its application generator, GENSYS, with the introduction of Visual Xbase. This new product, with an old heritage, represents more than a simple renaming of its predecessor. All...

Manipulate your data with Aeris. (BlueRithm Software's Aeris for DOS, Windows and Windows NT 2.1 database application development toolkits) (Test Drives) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... Aeris 2.1 for MS-DOS and Windows, by BlueRithm Software, is a programmable toolkit for people charged with the task of manipulating data. It is intended to fill in the gaps left by many database management systems. If you are using a...

Here's all the reason you need to buy a CD-ROM drive. (Microsoft's Developer Network Levels I and II CD-ROM databases) (Product Discovery) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... A friend of mine, Scott, called me the other day. He's working on a project that uses Dynamic Data Exchange. He's supposed to connect with another program being produced by another consultant to the same firm--had I heard anything about...

Debunking the myths about UNIX.
July 1, 1994... You've heard it all: UNIX is old, hard to use, and only for large systems. Something with so many quirks should have died long ago. Maybe some of what you've heard isn't true? UNIX has a large following and has flourished over the years....

Build a data warehouse solution. (Client/Server Advisor)
July 1, 1994... Data warehousing is a hot topic. It's popping up in articles. It's the subject of panel discussions. There's even an annual data warehouse conference. After all the hype, the question remains: Is this just the latest buzzword, or does a data...

Data warehouse meets Schreiber Foods' needs. (Client/Server Advisor)
July 1, 1994... Schreiber Foods' MIS department faced a challenge. A memo from a senior executive requested dramatic changes in the way sales were reported. The current sales analysis system couldn't accommodate the request without a complete overhaul. ...

Data controls - why so popular? (database application development) (Database Report)
July 1, 1994... The site: Windows World, Chicago. The year: 1992. Microsoft places its Visual Basic area strategically at the entrance to the exhibit floor. The booth features add-on companies like Quadbase Systems, MicroHelp, Pioneer Software (Q+E), and The...

R:BASE 4.5+ has query optimizer and improved SQL '92 support. (Microrim's SQL database development tool) (includes related article on history of R:BASE) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... With the release of R:BASE 4.5+, Microrim continues its track record of enhancing its SQL database product. Improvements include a cost-based query optimizer; multi-column pop-up dialog and picklist boxes in forms; SQL '92-compliant left,...

Persistence pays off for pest control software developer. (Precision Software CEO Harry McDavid's PestWare software for pest control companies) (Case Study)
July 1, 1994... All kidding about buggy programs aside, Harry McDavid is on his way to becoming the king of pest control software. When he wrote a small dBMAN application in 1986 for a pest control company in California, he never dreamed the application...

Maximize ObjectView's user-defined commands. (KnowledgeWare's object-oriented application development software) (Application Developer) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... Some of the most useful, yet poorly documented, features of KnowledgeWare's ObjectView are its user-defined functions and subroutines. These offer powerful functionality that let you avoid three major pitfalls of object-oriented programming...

Chen's DB-Designer builds better apps. (Chen & Associates' DB-Designer 3.0 database application development software) (includes related article on Chen & Associates' Reverse Engineering module for Access 2.0 databases) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
July 1, 1994... If you're developing databases in Microsoft Access 2.0 or Visual Basic with the Access Jet engine, you need to take a serious look at Chen's DB-Designer. This CASE tool provides ER modeling, a data dictionary, schema generation, and reverse...

Fax it! (comparison of stand-alone fax applications and fax function libraries) (Automated Faxing)
July 1, 1994... Faster and cheaper than U.S. Mail or overnight courier, more widely avaiable than electronic mail, and more durable than a telephone call, sending a fax has become the communication method of choice for American business. As faxing becomes...

Committee defines 'core,' moves ahead on standard. (X3J19 Xbase Standard committee) (Xbase Standard Update)
July 1, 1994... At the last two meetings of the X3J19 Xbase Standard committee, the committee refined the focus of the standard by approving a definition of "the core"; formally agreed to partition the standard; approved papers that define underlying...

Designing triggers for referential integrity. (use of Microsoft's SQL Server database application development software) (Client/Server Advisor) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... The biggest problem in database development is not the design of the underlying schema--that can take time, but it's a process that follows well-known rules. The development and observance of object naming standards is not the database...

Building cross-platform applications with UNIFACE. (Client/Server Advisor: Case Study)
July 1, 1994... For most organizations, the question is not whether to do away with large, host-based systems, but how to supplement them with newer, more versatile client/server technologies. The issue, says 3M's Dick Barden, is how to effectively integrate...

To NT or not NT? (Microsoft's Windows NT operating system and Windows NT Advanced Server network operating system) (Client/Server Developer) (Column)
July 1, 1994... Microsoft's NT product line, (which consists of Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server), has expanded and splintered enough so that it's no longer clear what each product and component provides. This article will help you understand...

Using SQL statements with SAL. (Gupta Technologies' SQLWindows database application development software) (Client/Server Advisor: Inside SQLWindows) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... When a SQLWindows application completes all startup procedures (e.g., the user enters a valid login ID and password; connect calls are issued establishing cursors to databases; the cursor's lock time-out intervals are set; cursor preservation...

A base class for data maintenance. (creating a Financial Dynamics base class for data maintenance using Powersoft's PowerBuilder database application development software) (Client/Server Advisor: PowerBuilder Pro) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... Data maintenance windows are an important part of a database application--they may be the most commonly coded element in any database application. They're the omnipresent programming that allows the user to add, delete, edit, sort, find, and...

Btrieve - the cross-platform database engine. (Btrieve Technologies Chairwoman Nancy Woodward) (Client/Server Advisor: On-Line) (Interview)
July 1, 1994... DBA: What exactly is Btrieve? What version is it in now? Woodward: Btrieve is a database engine that provides the underlying data management functions required by application programs. Btrieve provides a set of function calls that a...

Inside Microsoft SQL Server for NT. (Microsoft's database application development software) (Client/Server Advisor: Systems Integration Tips) (Column)
July 1, 1994... Imagine buying a Ferrari for the price of a Ford. That's the kind of deal you get when you buy Microsoft SQL Server for NT, starting at $995. It's inexpensive, and it's fast. Recent TPC-B results showed that SQL Server for NT running on...

Data access - tables vs data controls. (use of Microsoft's Visual Basic 3.0 application development software) (Client/Server Advisor: VB Developer) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... While Visual Basic 3.0's data control has made designing data-entry screens almost effortless, a tremendous amount of flexibility can be gained by using one of VB's built-in data access objects, i.e., tables, dynasets, and snapshots. In this...

Writing multiuser Xbase applications. (Client/Server Advisor: Xbase Developer) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... Most database applications written today need to run on LANs. This article is a discussion of various approaches to implementing advanced contention management when programming for stand-alone DBMS systems, particularly Xbase. First, I'll...

Designing usable data entry applications. (use of Microsoft's FoxPro database application development software) (FoxPro Developer) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... Many developers struggle to design data entry interfaces that look good and work well. Naturally we want our applications to use all the bells and whistles--popups, scrollable lists, radio buttons, check boxes and push buttons. But as we...

Unique customer numbers, part 2. (second part of series on generating unique customer numbers for databases) (dBASE Developer) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... Last month, we discussed various ways of calculating new customer numbers and the advantages and disadvantages of different approaches. We are going to spend a moment in further discussion before moving on to a completely different approach...

Clipper bits 'n pieces. (Computer Associates' CA-Clipper 5.2D database application development software) (Hardcore Clipper) (Column) (Tutorial)
July 1, 1994... This month, I'll answer a few questions I received, offer a couple of tips, tell you about a new CA-Clipper patch, 5.2D, and give you readers a couple of challenges. First, let's look at the patch. New patch released Considering...

Database confidential. (Humor) (Column)
July 1, 1994... Return of the living dead: Superbase ain't buried yet, which gives the 70,000 or so Superbase users and developers something to live for. If you recall, in February Software Publishing Corp., who acquired a fading Superbase from...

Calendar of events.
July 1, 1994... 1994 Informix Worldwide User Conference--Conference's theme is Database Technology for Dynamic Organizations. General sessions will feature executive-level presentations from Informix and special keynotes from industry heavy hitters. Includes...