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Application development software, Application installation/distribution software, Product enhancement, JavaScript (Programming language) -- Product enhancement, and Program development software -- Product enhancement

JavaScript is getting mocked, but in a good way. The JavaScript-based Kakapo.js HTTP mocking library enables developers to replicate back-end logic in a declarative manner in the browser. Thus, apps [...]

Rapid application development, Programming tutorial, Software Architecture, Software development/engineering, Application Development Software, Visual Programming, and GUI

Today's easy-to-use visual development tools can result in applications that hide serious design flaws due to the fact that the tools generate highly concrete, 'realistic' prototypes. Abstract prototyping helps solve this problem by representing the contents of a GUI without showing what it actually looks like. Constructing GUIs is so easy that a poorly designed application can have a very elegant interface, although visual tools do make it easier to lay out interfaces by facilitating visual thinking. Programmers must avoid assembling GUIs in an undisciplined manner despite the temptation the tools offer. Modeling is one way to create prototypes that actually speeds development and can deliver robust systems. A content model is an excellent abstract-prototyping tool, representing the contents of an interface without the details. Even sheets of paper and sticky notes can help build abstract models. Object-oriented developers get the best results by first determining how to meet end-user information needs.

Applications, Software Migration, Micro-Mainframe Communication, DBMS, Program Development Techniques, Applications Programming, Case Study, Prototype, Compiler/decompiler, Application Development Software, BMC Software Inc. -- Product development, DB2 (DBMS), and OS/2 Database Manager 1.3 (Data base management system) -- Usage

BMC Software Inc's use of IBM's OS/2 Database Manager and other PC software tools to simulate the DB2 environment on OS/2 is described, focusing on how the company was able to work out the differences between SQL precompilers, SQL implementations and C language compilers. BMC's Change Manager was the first DB2 product developed by the company on a PC; the three Change Manager components based on existing assembly language code were kept on the mainframe, although one was rewritten in C. The new code, representing about half of the finished product, was developed and tested on the PC using IBM's OS/2 Database Manager version 1.3, Mortice Kern Systems Inc's LEX and YACC parser generator tools, and Microsoft's C version 6.0. The code was ported to the mainframe using IBM's DB2 SQL precompiler and SAS Institute's SAS/C version 5.0. The benefits provided from use of the PC platform are described, and the development process is examined.

Fourth-Generation Language, Application Development Software, Prototype, Computer-Aided Software Engineering, Directories, CompuServe Data Technologies -- Product information, and System 1032 Application Facility (Data base management system) -- Usage

Prototyping performed with fourth-generation language (4GL) tools is an effective way to complete the design phase of end-user programming projects. Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) is increasing in the development environment and influencing the complexity of new prototyping tools. CompuServe Data Technologies defines prototyping as a skeleton of a software program or application in progress. A prototype can be used to demonstrate the application before it is complete so that users can provide feedback regarding its usability and capabilities. Prototypes can be discarded after use, or they may be modified and revised into a finished product. A prototype is especially useful for establishing precisely what is to be developed for a user. Prototyping supplements, but does not replace planning and rational database administration. Compuserve's System 1032 Application Facility, SmartStar Corp's SmartStar, Cognos Corp's PowerHouse 4GL and others are discussed. A list of 4GL product vendors is included.

Prototype, Applications Programming, Program Generators, Application Development Software, Evaluation, KASEWORKS Inc. -- Product information, Xian Corp. -- Product information, Intersoft Inc. -- Product information, Microsoft Corp. -- Product information, Microsoft Windows (GUI), OS/2 Presentation Manager (GUI), CASE:W (CASE software), CASE:PM (Program development software), Windows Application Programming Environment (Program development software), Winpro2 (Program development software), and Winpro/PM (Program development software)

Several prototyping tools and application generators are available for Microsoft Windows and OS/2 Presentation Manager, including Intersoft's WAPE, Xian Corp's Winpro/2 and Winpro/PM and CASEWORKS' CASE:W and CASE:PM. Prototyping tools and application generators speed up the task of writing code and can automatically generate code. Prototyping tools make it possible for users with limited time or experience to create such things as data entry forms. Application generators let inexperienced programmers or nontechnical users assemble an application without needing to learn a language. CASE:W and CASE:PM allow beginners to create Windows and PM applications but experienced users can generate a working frame of an application to save time. Winpro/2 and Winpro/PM both generate good, complete code. WAPE strengths are its comprehensive help system, its menu editor and its API functions. It should appeal largely to beginning Windows developers.

Technology Tutorial, Programming tutorial, Programming language, Application Development Software, Microsoft Visual Basic (Application development software), Programming languages -- Usage, and Computer programming -- Methods

Visual Basic has become a de facto standard for Windows development because users can develop powerful applications quickly by drawing interface elements and add English-like commands for event handling. The Visual Basic Extension (VBX) format for custom controls is used even in many competing products, such as Powersoft's PowerBuilder. A version of Visual Basic called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is Microsoft's new cross-application macro language for current and future products. Using the macro recorder makes learning VBA easy; users can record keystrokes and study the code the software generates automatically. Recorder code can be cut and pasted into Visual Basic applications, but usually requires some modification because standard Visual Basic does not yet have the advanced OLE support of VBA. The With...End With construct must be converted with Dim and Set statements. Microsoft provides many code examples with Visual Basic. Lotus Development Corp's Notes HiTest Tools Release 2 is a unique VBX suite that interfaces with Lotus Notes via a special API.

Database Design, Data Base Models, Data Base Restructuring, DBMS, Computer-Aided Software Engineering, Application Development Software, Program Testing Tools, Program Development Techniques, and Tutorial

Data base designers should use prototyping to overcome the problems associated with traditional entity-relationship (ER) data base design methods. ER is the approach used by most CASE tools. The major drawbacks inherent in ER methods include the inability to discern differences between entities, relationships, and attributes; to document any constraints whether they be mandatory or user-defined; and to correctly document special relationship types such as subtypes. Prototyping can identify business rules, data-element relationships, and user requirements. The prototypes become models of systems useful for validating data entry/update forms, reports, batch programs, and specific queries. Another approach software designers use is fact-based analysis, such as the Nijssen Information Analysis Methodology (NIAM). NIAM is able to document constraints that include mandatory or optional, subtypes, and all possible values. NIAM requires that designers fully understand the business processes being modeled, but the methodology results in a stable and functional application.

Evaluation, Application Development Software, Compass Point Software Inc. -- Product information, and application::ctor (Program development software)

Compass Point Software's $395 application::ctor is an effective C++ prototyping tool and includes a group of development environment extensions that will appeal to users of Microsoft Cor, Borland International Inc and Zortech C 7.0 compilers. The application depends on resource definitions to develop prototypes rapidly. The View Editor in the program provides a visual way to build a user interface. Interface objects can be selected from a palette and dragged to a locale on the screen. About 100 user-interface classes are included in a class library, which enhances application::ctor's visual interface construction toolset. applicator::ctor requires at least an 80386-based microcomputer, 4Mbytes of RAM, DOS 3.1 or higher, Microsoft Windows 3.1, and a C Compiler.

Programmable logic array, Application development software, Application installation/distribution software, Semiconductor device, Time to market, Digital integrated circuits -- Usage, Program development software -- Usage, and Product development -- Methods

ASIC, ASSP and SoC development is, and will always be, a risky and expensive business. Add to this the fact that today functional verification constitutes 50 to 70 percent of [...]

Expert system development software, Application development software, Application installation/distribution software, Technology application, Borland International Inc. -- Product information, Program development software -- Technology application, Computer software industry -- Technology application, Computer software industry -- Product information, and Microcomputers -- Design and construction

In my last column ("User Interface Prototypes," October 2002, p. 33) I showed you how to use Borland's C++ Builder (CPB) to develop a virtual user interface on a PC [...]