SLR Systems, Inc. has begun offering OPTLINK v5.1 for Windows. Version 5.1 removes the distribution restriction associated with OPTLINK v5.0's Windows compression technology and adds support for Borland C++ v4.0, Microsoft Visual C++ v1.5, and Symantec C++ v6.1. OPTLINK v5.1 provides the ability to bind one or more resource files while linking.
Features of OPTLINK v5.1 for Windows include: compression that can be incorporated within Windows products without distribution fees; linking, which according to SLR, shrinks Windows executable and DLL programs by 50 percent; and generation of self-loading and self-extracting programs. OPTLINK v5.1 can perform RC-bind, IMPLIB, and IMPDEF steps internally instead of spawning separate RC, IMPLIB, and IMPDEF programs.
OPTLINK v5.1 for Windows supports Borland, Microsoft, and Symantec C++ compilers, and CA Clipper programs designed with Grumpfish's Clip4Win. OPTLINK emulates the operational characteristics and syntax of Borland TLINK and Microsoft LINK. Debugging support is included for Borland's Turbo Debugger and Microsoft's CodeView. As a DOS-hosted linker, OPTLINK requires DOS v3.1 or higher and 512 Kb RAM. OS/2 versions are also available. OPTLINK generates 16-bit Windows, DOS, OS/2, and DOS-extended applications.
OPTLINK v5.1 for Windows is $350. An upgrade is available for $99. For more information contact SLR Systems, Inc., 1622 N. Main St., Butler, PA 16001; (412) 282-0864; FAX; (412) 282-7965; BBS: (412) 282-2799.
Phar Lap Software, Inc. has released TNT DOS-Extender Software Development Kit v6.1, which lets developers write a Visual Basic Windows "look and feel" graphical user interface for their 32-bit DOS-extended applications. Phar Lap offers this technology through its WinPipe VxD (virtual device driver), a collection of routines which let a Windows user interface program communicate with a TNT DOS-Extender application. Version 6.1's support for the 32-bit Borland C++ v4.0 tools lets developers take advantage of Windows NT capabilities while continuing to use Borland's C++ compiler, Turbo Debugger, and BGI libraries. The capabilities include dynamic link libraries (DLLs), threads, and multitasking.
TNT DOS-Extender SDK v6.1 includes TNT DOS-Extender, Microsoft CodeView 32-bit debugger, Phar Lap 386/SCRBug source-level debugger, and the components of Phar Lap's 386/DOS-Extender SDK. TNT DOS-Extender also supports Microsoft Visual C++ 32-Bit Edition and other 32-bit compilers.
TNT DOS-Extender SDK v6.1 is $495. Updates from earlier versions of TNT DOS-Extender and 386/DOS-Extender SDK are also available. For more information contact Phar Lap Software, Inc., 60 Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138; (617) 661-1510; FAX:(617)876-2972.
iXOS Software GmbH has released iXBUILD 3 in the United States. iXBUILD 3 is an object-oriented design tool for building graphical user interfaces (GUI) following the OSF/Motif standard. iXBUILD 3 supports object-oriented programming in C++. Using iXBUILD 3, programmers can combine Motif widgets into GUI components, or classes, that are portable and reusable. GUI classes provide a higher level of building block approach than Motif widgets.
Based on concepts from Douglas Young's Object-Oriented Programming with C++ and OSF/Motif, iXBUILD 3 lets resources defined in a GUI class become "member variables" during the generation of C++ code. The GUI classes have a widget-like programming interface and become reusable in the development of other GUIs.
Programmers can dynamically test their iXBUILD interfaces through a link to CenterLine Software's ObjectCenter, an integrated C++ programming environment. In addition, iXBUILD 3 can generate code for the Rogue Wave class libraries.
iXBUILD is $4,500 for the first user licenses. The license fee includes the software and the user's guide with tutorials. Interfaces generated by iXBUILD 3 are run-time independent, and run on major UNIX platforms. No additional run-time software libraries or license fees are required. iXBUILD 3 is available in the United States from UniPress Software, 2025 Lincoln Highway, Edison, NJ 08817; (800) 222-0550; and QUALIX Group, 1900 South Norfolk St., Suite 224, San Mateo, CA 94403; (800) 245-8649.
ViewSoft, Inc. has introduced Utah for Windows/Windows NT, a software interface that lets C++programmers create GUI applications without writing GUI code. Utah uses the Editable Object System (EOS), a Semantic Interface Technology created by ViewSoft that delivers automatic binding of GUI components to the base application, eliminating GUI code.
To use Utah, programmers define C++ classes in the usual way, then choose and graphically arrange components that represent the classes' member fields and functions. Utah lets a developer create many views of a class, while view embedding and view inheritance let complex class views be reused. Utah's User Interface Styles let embedded views make changes when "dropped in" to existing dialogs, similar to how a word processor style lets a document assume an entirely new look without retyping. These "views" of class members are automatically bound at run-time to the underlying code. Utah also lets programmers remove or replace interface operations without affecting their code.
Utah for Windows/Windows NT is $1,495. There are no run-time royalties. For more information contact ViewSoft, Inc., 60 North 300 West, Provo, UT 84601; (801) 377-0787; FAX: (801) 377-0788.
Object Int'l, Inc. has begun shipping Together/C++, an object modeling C++ editor. Together/C++ is a C++ programming environment in which developers can edit in an object modeling window or in a C++ programming window, side-by-side. Together/C++ keeps the two windows continuously synchronized with each other.
Features of Together/C++ Object Modeling Editor include: automatic, semi-automatic, and manual layout of object models; direct text manipulation; hyperlink navigation; visual highlighting; direct integration with syntax-smart C++ editing; and auto-updating with other Windows applications. Other features of Together/C++ include: multiple concurrent windows, object browser, and hyperlink lists. Together/C++ also includes object modeling view management, including view control over model elements, files, and directories.
The Together/C++ Syntax-Smart C++ Editor provides: syntax highlighting; hyperlink navigation; direct integration with object model editing; auto-updating with other Windows applications; and integration with Borland C++ and Microsoft C++. The editor also provides: integrated syntax test, object browser, and hyperlink lists.
Together/C++ also contains a full C++ parser. Three options of Together/C++ are available: Together/Doc for documentation generation that includes an embedded scripting language; Together/CM (multi-user configuration management) for multi-user access and versioning; and Together/SQL for SQL generation (requires the Together/Doc option).
Together/C++ is $4,440, Together/Doc is $995, and Together/CM and Together/SQL are $495 each. For more information contact Object International, Inc., 8140 N. MoPac 4-200, Austin, TX 78759; (512) 795-0202; Fax: (512) 795-0332; e-mail: object@acm.org. Outside North America contact Object Int'l Ltd., Eduard Pfeiffer Str. 73, D-70192 Stuttgart, Germany, +49-711-225-740; FAX: ++49-711-299-1032; e-mail: 100034.1370@compuserve.com.
Performix has released Drag-it, a Visual C++ add-on product. Drag-it is a class library and tool kit which lets a Window programmer add a drag and drop style graphical interface to a Visual C++ application. Drag-it includes a class library, starter files, "Drag-it Builder," and a sample application.
According to Performix, Drag-it reduces the amount of code to be written. The graphics, mouse tracking, and relationships of graphical components are managed by Drag-it. Drag-it turns the user's mouse movements and keystrokes into Drag-it Actions (such as Component-moved or Label-added) which are then passed to an Action handler written by the user.
The Drag-it class library extends the Microsoft Foundation Classes, and the Drag-it tool kit lets Drag-it interfaces be incorporated into the application. With Drag-it starter files and Visual C++ tools, programmers can easily create a skeleton Drag-it application. Integration with Visual C++ allows programmers to include any AppWizard options, and use AppStudio to indicate Drag-it menu items to include in an application. Drag-it Builder can be used to draw symbols and place them on a palette, or bitmaps can be imported and placed on the palette, Drag-it's sample application shows how to interpret Drag-it Actions and how to add a view to supplement information shown graphically by Drag-it.
Drag-it is $495. For more information contact Performix, 6618 Daryn Dr., Westhills, CA 91307; (818)992-0840; FAX: (818)347-9455.
Communication Systems Technology, Inc. has begun shipping NETSpin++ Class Libraries, a set of libraries for creating C++ applications in DOS and Windows. Each of these libraries — NETBIOS, SCHEDULER, POSTOFFICE, and INIREADER — will operate separately, although they are designed to work together. Complete library source code and examples are provided.
The NETBIOS library provides access to network communications through the NETBIOS API. The class includes support for NETBIOS Sessions Datagrams, Broadcast Messages, Name Management, and error handling. Application routines let the user specify wait/no-wait options. The SCHEDULER library provides a method to simulate multitasking through the use of cooperative scheduling. Tasks are scheduled based on timed events or on an adjustable periodic basis. Tasks may also be blocked, unblocked, and resumed. The POSTOFFICE library provides a method to transfer messages between tasks within the programs. The INIREADER library provides the ability to read and write Windows-style INI files. This library supports using INI files for program configuration for both DOS and Windows applications.
NETSpin++ is $120. For more information contact Communication Systems Technology, Inc., 3800 Concorde Parkway, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 22021; (703) 968-7830.
KL Group, Inc. has announced XRT/graph and XRT/3d widget toolkits for Open VMS VAX and OpenVMS AXP operating systems. XRT/graph is a two-dimensional graph widget that displays bar charts, X-Y plots, pie charts, area graphs, financial graphs, and logarithmic scientific charts. XRT/graph has 160 resources for controlling graph attributes. XRT/graph also supports user feedback (map and pick routines), letting users control their applications by selecting and dragging graph elements with a mouse. Included with XRT/graph is a graphical prototyping and code development tool called "Builder." Builder outputs C code and resource files.
XRT/3d is a three-dimensional surface, bar, and contour graph widget for X application developers. XRT/3d contours and zones data, and handles missing data values. XRT/3d also produces 4-D graphs. End-users can use the mouse to rotate, zoom, and shift graphs interactively. In addition to PostScript, graphs can be output in CGM format with an optional library.
A single development license is $2,995 for XRT/graph and $3,695 for XRT/3d. There are no royalties or run-time fees. For more information contact KL Group Inc. 260 King Street East, Third Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5A 1K3; (800) 663-4723 or (416) 594-1026; FAX: (416) 594-1919; e-mail: info@klg.com.
ObjectSoftware Inc. has begun offering ObjectTrace v1.0, a profiler and tracer for C++ applications. Features of ObjectTrace v1.0 include the ability to trace C++ applications using instrumentation techniques, created C++ objects, C++ object member methods, and C++ object memory leaks. ObjectTrace v1.0 also produces Call-Graphs on C++ traced applications, and produces reports on C++ object instances in the application and memory leakages. With ObjectTrace, regular expressions can be used to specify which objects or methods should be traced.
ObjectTrace v1.0 supports SPARC SunOS 4.1.x, and SPARC Solaris 2.3. ObjectTrace can also be ported to other architectures. ObjectTrace v1.0 pricing varies by configuration. A single user licenses for ObjectTrace v1.0 is $395. Site and users licenses are also available. For more information contact ObjectSoftware Inc., 1266 Hidden Ridge, Ste. #1030, Irving, TX75038; (214) 550-0747; FAX:(214) 550-0747; e-mail: objsoft@netcom.com.
Solutionsoft has upgraded its Windows help authoring tool HelpBreeze, which gives developers an integrated environment for developing Windows help-files under Microsoft Word for Windows. HelpBreeze v1.6 includes Help Breeze Topic Wizard, an automated help file development tool based on the standard Microsoft Word v6.0 Wizard interface.
The HelpBreeze Topic Wizard includes support for creating documentation for API interfaces or macro languages. The Topic Wizard can parse the syntax for a function or macro and create a help topic with title, keyword, function syntax description, and a custom table for describing the function arguments. Also, source code documentation can be generated directly from C/C++ header files.
HelpBreeze v1.6 includes: point and click support for the Windows v3.1 help engine, visual tools, automated two-way conversion between help file and Word documents, compatiblity with Word v2.0 and Word v6.0, and support for establishing a link between help files and Windows applications. Also included with HelpBreeze is Slide Show for WinHelp, a distributable DLL that can be used to add slide show, sound and bitmap animations to help files.
HelpBreeze v1.6 is $279. The upgrade is free to licensed users of HelpBreeze v1.0. For more information contact Solutionsoff, 999 Evelyn Terrace West, Suite 86, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 736-1431; FAX: (408) 736-4013; Internet: 75210.2214@compuserve. com.
Corporate Computing has upgraded GUI Guidelines, its on-line help software for GUI application design. GUI Guidelines v4.0 includes: user interface templates; QA and Developer checklists highlighting GUI areas that must be standards-compliant; application behavior standards including techniques for data validation, use of multiple windows, and use of common templates; and examples for application specific guidelines, message-bar strings, common components, and other company-specific sections. GUI Guidelines v4.0 also includes: an enhanced glossary, embedded graphics, 30 additional rules and recommendations, and 20 additional figures to illustrate standards.
GUI Guidelines v4.0 is offered as an annual license. The Annual Renewal License, which provides customer support, maintenance, and software updates and releases, is 20% of the price of the product. The Windows version, which includes the licensing of 10 users and two days of on-site training in "Effective GUI Design," is $895 per user. OS/2 and Motif version are priced higher. GUI Guidelines v4.0 is available free to existing users. For more information contact Corporate Computing, Inc., 2549 Waukegan Rd., Suite 108, Bannockburn, IL 60015; (708)374-1995; FAX:(708) 374-1124.
Hardy Software Systems, Inc. has released an OS/2 real-time trace facility, Footprints v2.0. Footprints lets a developer capture real-time data and monitor a live process. Footprints consists of a DLL and a Presentation Manager executable. Developers use Footprints by including a header and linking to a DLL. The Dynamic Link Library contains four API calls used to implement tracing: initialize, terminate, trace, and check-trace. Using these C function calls, developers trace by assigning various data to any of the 64 trace IDs. Developers can also use the Check Trace feature to implement their own run-time debugging code.
Footprints also archives selected data. During production runs, all tracing is ignored, with the exception of developer-selected error messages. During the development cycle, or when the user reports a problem, tracing can be activated from an external Presentation Manager interface. The user can turn on any or all of 64 various trace IDs to monitor and archive data or effect the logic flow of the program being traced. The user can then duplicate a reported problem and send the archive file to the developer for analysis.
Footprints v2.0 requires OS/2 v2.0 or later and supports 16-bit and 32-bit C/C++ compiler for OS/2. A single-user license is $99. For more information contact Hardy Software Systems, Inc., 4801 Woodway, Suite 415W, Houston, TX 77056; (713) 871-1448; FAX: (713) 871-1449; e-mail: usib5srq@ibm-mail.com.
objectware SOFTWARE ENGINEERING has announced two products, classX/Components and MooD CASE Tool v1.0. classX/Components is an application framework for the cross-platform development of GUI and distributed applications supporting Windows v3.1, Windows NT, OS/2, and UNIX. classX/Components consists of C++ Class libraries, including: classX/Base, classX/GUI, classX/DB, and classX/Communication.
classX/Base supplies an interface to the underlying operating system and contains a set of container base classes and datatypes. classX/GUI contains standard windows classes and supports MVC-Layering, MDI, DDE and device-independent text, and graphic output. A C++ code generator lets the user create configurable frameworks and converts dialog scripts into C++ source code. classX/DB is an object oriented interface to RDBMS. classX/Communication gives the user components for developing distributed applications in Client/Server and Peer-To-Peer architectures. This library supportsTCP/IP, NetBIOS, NamedPipes, SerialLine (RS232), and DDE.
The MooD CASE Tool v1.0 supports object-oriented software engineering, with provisions for: requirements definition, analysis, system-independent design, and implementation-specific design. C++ and Smalltalk source code can be directly generated from within MooD CASE Tool. The source code can be parsed for reengineering design models after changes durring implementation.
For more information contact objectware SOFTWARE ENGINEERING GmbH, Steinsdorfstrasse 13, 80538 Munich, Germany; (49) (89) 21 23 90 11; FAX (49) (89) 21 23 90 20; Compuserve: 100112,510.
Pinnacle Publishing has upgraded its Graphics Server SDK. Graphics Server is a dynamic link library (DLL) for adding graphing and charting capabilities to Microsoft Windows applications.
Graphics Server SDK v2.5 includes a 32-bit version of the Graphics Server graphing engine for Windows NT. To create graphs in Windows NT, programmers use Graphics Server's DLL calls in a C/C++ program or use a special graph class for Visual C++. Graphics Server also has an OLE v2.0 server interface, which allows graphing capabilities for OLE client applications. Other features of Graphics Server SDK v2.5 include: on-line Windows help files, a Windows Install program, and the ability to treat a missing data point as a null rather than a zero.
Graphics Server SDK v2.5 is $299. Upgrades from pervious versions are $99. For more information contact Pinnacle Publishing, Inc., 18000 72nd Ave. S., Suite 217, Kent, WA 98032; (206) 251-1900; FAX: (206) 251-5057.
Rogue Wave Software, Inc. has introduced Tools.h++ for ObjectStore, the object database from Object Design, Inc. Tools.h++ for ObjectStore is a C++ foundation class library written for ObjectStore, a distributed, client/server object-oriented database management system (ODBMS) that is designed to store non-record-oriented data. Tools.h++ for ObjectStore lets programmers place instances of Rogue Wave classes into the persistent memory of an ObjectStore database. Both Tools.h++ and ObjectStore are designed to use the same API on supported platforms. Tools.h++ for ObjectStore includes example programs demonstrating the steps required to build ObjectStore applications.
Tools.h++ for ObjectStore includes the functionality and the API of Tools.h++, which ships with C++ compilers. Tools.h++ is an internationalized and localized C++ foundation class library, containing 135 classes including date, time, files, B-tree, collections, link lists, queues, and stacks. Tools.h++ is sold in source code form and provides DDE and clipboard stream buffer classes for data exchange with other applications while using stream I/O. Regular expression and tokenizer class, expanded virtual I/O streams, and error checking are also provided. Tools.h++ includes tools for implementing exceptions and multi-threading programs, and a fast string class.
Tools.h++ for ObjectStore is $795. For more information contact Rogue Wave Software, Inc., P.O. Box 2328, Corvallis, OR 97339; (503) 754-3010; FAX: (503) 757-6650; BBS: (503) 754-5011.
Objects++ Software Corporation has released SQL Objects++ C/C++ Database Library v2.0. SQL Objects++ is a C/C++ databases access library which includes access to SQL and non-SQL databases. With support for ODBC, IDAPI, abstract SQL classes, and direct database driver access, SQL Objects v2.0 lets developers use the database access method that best fits their task.
SQL Objects++ v2.0 supports SQL Base, Watcom SQL, and ASCII files. SQL Objects++ also supports Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server, DB2/2, DDCS/2, Netware SQL, and Btrieve. SQL Objects++ v2.0 supports Windows, OS/2, DOS, and NT. The NT and OS/2 version are true 32-bit versions. SQL Objects++ also supports most C/C++ compilers including Borland C++.
Prices for SQL Objects++ C/C++ Database Library v2.0 range from $695 to $4,995. For more information contact Objects++ Software Corporation, 47 Stonewall St., Cartersville, GA 30120; (800) 876-6568 or (404) 382-6585; FAX: (404) 382-6374.
V Communications Inc. has begun shipping System Commander, utility software that manages 16 different versions of DOS and 26 other Intel-compatible operating systems simultaneously on one PC. System Commander displays a menu when a user boots up. After a user selects the desired OS, System Commander removes itself from memory. System Commander simplifies testing for software products to be delivered on various OS versions.
System Commander works with 8088 through 80486 and Pentium processors. Disk repartitioning is not required. System Commander handles CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files for each version of DOS.
System Commander is $99.95. For more information contact V Communication, Inc., 4320 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 275, San Jose, CA 95129, (800) 648-8266 or (408) 296-4224; FAX: (408) 296-4441.
BYTECH Business Systems, Inc. has announced Print Tools, a library of routines that lets programmers create and print complex graphics and formatted text to screen and printer with one set of codes. By using supplied drives, a Print Tools file can be sent to a dot matrix, laser, color, and deskjet printer. Files are created independent of the output device.
Print Tools comes with C/C++ or BASIC source code. There are working modules of each function call, including source code, which can be customized by the programmer. Print Tools also supports a disk file cache system. Print Tools C/C++ is compatible with Borland C/C++ and Microsoft C/C++. Print Tools supports FoxPro, Clipper, Clarion, and other applications that can call a C/C++ or BASIC library.
Print Tools is $350. For more information contact BYTECH Business Systems, Inc:, 5C Medical Park Dr., Pomona, NY 10970, (914) 354-8666.
The Haley Enterprise has announced Rete++ for IBM platforms. Rete++ for IBM is shipping for OS/2 Presentation Manager. A console version of Rete++ is also available for AIX. Rete++ using X/Motif on the RS/6000 was to be shipped during the first quarter of 1994, and will be followed by Rete++ for MVS. Rete++ encapsulates rule-based expert system development by providing rules that match against C++ objects using the Rete Algorithm.
Rete++ provides both forward and backward chaining, as well as a class hierarchy for the development of rule-based C++ applications. Rete++ also generates C++ class taxonomies for use in C++ applications, creating a C++ header file with class definitions. C++ applications can use the Rete++ generated classes directly or can further subclass them.
For more information contact The Haley Enterprise, 413 Orchard St., Sewickley, PA 15143; (800) 233-2622 or (412) 967-1100; FAX: (412) 741-6457.
CoStar Corporation has introduced Mythologics' RuneStone Libraries, which provide integrated label printing for mailing, inventory, and other applications. Using the RuneStone Libraries, the LabelWriter II and II Plus printers from CoStar can be integrated with C/C++, Clipper, and FoxPro compiled application software. The royalty-free libraries provide a flexible API to link directly with the host application.
The RuneStone Library supports PostNet, Barcode (Code 39, 128, and 2 of 5), and .PCX graphics printing. Serial port driver functions are also included. The RuneStone Library uses the fonts generated by a utility program supplied by CoStar with the printers.
The Rune Libraries are available individually and bundled with the CoStar Label-Writer II or Label Writer II Plus printer. The individual price for the RuneStone Libraries is $225. For more information contact CoStar Corporation, Greenwich, CT, (800) 426-7827.