Overlay Architect and Overlay Optimizer, two tools that manage overlay structures, have been released by AtLast! Software. According to AtLast!, Overlay Architect can handle more than 4000 modules and 16,000 code symbols, supports libraries and object modules, works with most compilers, produces nested overlays and multiple overlay areas, supports indirect calls, detects unused functions and modules, supports multiple entry points, as well as full use of the Plink86plus TRACK command. The company claims that this will result in the smallest possible executable program size by using nested overlays and multiple overlay areas; on a 386, a program consisting of a megabyte of code in a thousand modules can be analyzed by Overlay Architect in less than three minutes.
Overlay Optimizer analyzes the performance of a program's overlay structure and determines how overlays should be rebuilt for optimal performance. It requires a Plink86plus map file and the debug output of the sample debug run of a program; you specify the size to which your program can grow, and Overlay Optimizer creates a link response file that reflects the new overlay structure. It is a two-step process: You first have to run your program with the debugging version of the Plink86plus overlay loader, and then run Overlay Optimizer. The Architect and Optimizer can be purchased together for $569, or separately for $369 and $269, respectively. Reader service no. 20.
AtLast! Software, Inc. 449 Mountain View Road Boulder, CO 80302 303-938-1210
A monitor called the "DB-51 Enhanced System Monitor," for 8051/31-and 80515/535-based single board computers, has been released by Allen Systems. This monitor allows for development and debugging of user software right on the target 8051 hardware. It supports a command set to facilitate user operation. The monitor is EPROM-resident, and can be directly installed into the user hardware. After object code output is downloaded from the host into RAM on the target system under DB-51 control, the host is configured as a terminal that allows the user direct access to the DB-51 and its available commands for debugging and testing.
In addition to the command set, DB-51 also features the routing of interrupt service routines through external RAM, and line-oriented command entry which allows simple command-line editing prior to command processing. In addition, DB-51 display information can be suspended, resumed, and aborted. And upon initialization, the DB-51 checks the target hardware and then configures itself for optimum resource utilization.
In addition to the software and user's manual, a listing of the DB-51 source is also available on hardcopy and on disk. It sells for $100. Reader service no. 21.
Allen Systems 2346 Brandon Rd. Columbus, OH 43221 614-488-7122
Tronix has released a Unix/Xenix Kernel Debugger (KDB). The symbolic debugger runs on SCO's System V/386 and Xenix/386, Interactive Systems' 386/IX, Everex's Enix, and AT&T's System V, Release 3.2. According to Benjamin Chou, president, it is "designed to let the Unix/Xenix system software engineer easily control the execution and environment of software within the Unix/Xenix operating system." The Tronix Kernel Debugger enables programmers to set break point at data address(es), trace any process's stack, display data in a predefined data structure format, display and modify code and data, single step through code, display information about all the processes that are running, and display and modify registers, all within the Unix/Xenix kernel.
Tronix KDB requires 150K-bytes from hard disk during installation, and afterwards the new kernel's size is about 120K-bytes larger than a regular kernel. The product sells for $475, and source code and a free demonstration disk are also available. Reader service no. 22.
Tronix International 10601 S. DeAnza Blvd., Ste. 216 Cupertino, CA 95014 408-973-8559
Microsystems Software has announced CodeRunneR, a highly-optimized library for creating fast, compact TSR programs with full DOS access, using Borland's Turbo C and Microsoft C. Users can supposedly create C programs on a performance and code size par with assembly language at a fraction of the development time and cost. Developers can, says president J. Scott Benson, "stay with high-level languages like C, and yet produce very tight code that can still fit their user's systems."
Among CodeRunneR's features are the elimination of initialization code and data when programs go resident, a function-level granular and auto-initializing run-time library, the ability to create multitasking programs, a BCD floating-point package, full hotkey support transparent DOS access, and two levels of event schedulers. CodeRunneR lists for $149, and Microsystems offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you can find a commercially-available C library that delivers smaller or faster run-time code. Reader service no. 23.
Microsystems Software, Inc. 600 Worcester Rd. Framingham, MA 01701 508-626-8511
Andrews Data Systems has announced the release of object libraries for Borland Turbo Pascal 5.5 and Microsoft QuickPascal 1.0. Both products include a window object library for text and graphics, a remote object support library for distributed processing, and a concurrent object support library for multitasking within applications. The remote object library is bundled with a serial object library that may also be purchased separately.
A network library that is scheduled to be released in December will also support the distributed processing provided under the remote object library using NetBIOS. A Novell implementation is slated for early this year, and future products will include C++ object libraries. Source code is available with all products. The libraries cost $59 each, $89 with source, or $149/$189 for Windows/Remote/Concurrent combination. Both compiler versions are included in each library. Reader service no. 27.
Andrews Data Systems P.O. Box 37123 Denver, CO 80237 800-255-5550 ext. 615
MetaWare has released High C compiler Version 1.6 for MS-DOS and 386/486DOS. The package includes MetaWare's High C compiler for OS/2 and real-mode MS-DOS. Version 1.6 features expanded libraries, new documentation, two editors, a disk cache utility, a b-tree library, and a graphics library for the 386/486 in protected mode. MetaWare's new make facility is included, as well as a set of Unix-style utilities for the MS-DOS operating system. This upgrade comes with the GFX/386 Graphics library, produced in conjunction with C Source, which provides specific floating-point graphics functions. High C also includes the EC editor from C Source, HyperDisk disk cache from HyperWare, and source code for the MicroEMACS editor.
The High C library is ANSI conformant, and additional library functions bring it to 86 percent compatibility with Microsoft's C libraries. The High C compiler also provides cross-language calling, diagnostics, and configurability. Toggles and pragmas allow developers to select from a variety of compiler features. The High C compiler is discussed in the two-part article "Stalking General Protection Faults" by Andrew Schulman, which begins this month in DDJ.
Current licensees covered by the technical support program can upgrade for free. Users of Version 1.5 who do not have this policy can upgrade for $75 on the 8088, 80186, and 80286; the upgrade for the 80386 is $150. Otherwise, the product is licensed for $595 for DOS and $895 for 386/486DOS. Reader service no. 25.
MetaWare Inc. 2161 Delaware Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060-5706 408-429-6382
Sun Microsystems has introduced GUIDE (Graphical User Interface Design Editor), a design tool for building an Open Look graphical user interface for applications. The GUIDE prototyper is an interactive tool that features a palette of icons that represent various objects, such as window control functions, scrollbars, and menus, so a developer can drop an icon into the desired location instead of writing new code. GUIDE automatically generates the user interface code, which can shorten development time. And applications designed with it can offer 'drag and drop" file loading, so users can select an icon and the application will automatically load.
The GUIDE prototyper runs on Release 4.X of the SunOS operating system on the X11/NeWS window system. GUIDE media, documentation, and a right-to-use license will be sold unbundled for $250, and will be available sometime during the first quarter of 1990. Reader service no. 26.
Sun Microsystems, Inc. 2550 Garcia Ave. Mountain View, CA 94043 415-336-6536
Invention Software has released the Extender DialogHandler, the latest addition to their development series. DialogHandler includes over 160 routines which decrease the time required to program modal dialogs with complete functionality.
DialogHandler supports the list manager, and builds in features like range checking, on-the-fly character filtering to maintain number integrity, default item bold outlines, and cut, copy, and paste support with context checking. DialogHandler also supports user hooks, key equivalents, and animated icons and pictures. It comes with complete documentation and 5000 lines of example code, and you can call for free technical support. The Extender DialogHandler with full source code costs $189.95, without $99.95. Reader service no. 28.
Invention Software P.O. Box 3168 Ann Arbor, MI 48106 313-996-8108
The Software Organization announced a new programming tool, DialogCoder, that is supposed to eliminate 95 percent of the coding normally associated with dialog box programming. The company claims that DialogCoder automatically generates compilable C source code from dialog templates to manage all controls in the dialog; that it uses graphical metaphors to express the relationships between dialog controls and actions; that it allows users to interactively specify the state of each dialog control during initialization and command processing; that it supports listbox initialization from ASCII files, resources bound to an application, and directory lists; that it supports multiline edit initialization from ASCII file; and that it provides validation code for text and number edit controls.
The DialogCoder also supports all controls provided by the Microsoft and Whitewater dialog editors, as well as the entrance and exit processing for edit fields. DialogCoder is designed for both novice and experienced Windows programmers -- the learning curve is about one hour for an experienced Windows programmer -- and even non-programmers can use it, provided they're given detailed dialog design specifications to follow. DialogCoder requires a 286- or 386-based machine with minimum memory for Windows 2.X, and a Microsoft-compatible mouse is optional. The cost is $349. Reader service no. 29.
The Software Organization, Inc. 617-354-2012 800-696-2012
Software Translations Inc. (STI) has announced the release of v7.5 of its B-Tran Basic to C translator, which translates Microsoft QuickBasic v4.5 and the recently announced Basic 7.0 to C source code. Software Translations guarantees 99 percent translation of code, including user-defined variables, multidimensional dynamic arrays, and named COMMON blocks. B-Tran is available for all machines running DOS, Unix, Xenix, AIX, Ultrix, and VMS. It translates more than 1000 lines per minute of QuickBasic code into C that complies with SVID, X/Open, ANSI, and K&R standards. One command translates, compiles, and links. The C code it produces is supposedly readable for Basic developers, though it does offer the appearance of a professional C program. And B-Tran translated code has none of the memory or code size restrictions of QuickBASIC. Pricing starts at $449 for the Microsoft C compiler under DOS. Other translators available include DEC VAX Basic, DEC Basic + and Basic +2, TI Basic, and CBasic. Technical support and maintenance is also provided. Reader service no. 30.
Software Translations Inc. The Carriage House 28 Green St. Newburyport, MA 01950 508-462-5523
The NetWare Programmer's Workbench, a collection of software development tools for client/server applications in a networked environment, has been announced by Novell. The product includes the Novell/Watcom C Network Compiler for developing clientside applications and the C Network Compiler/386 for developing serverside applications. Also included are the NetWare RPC (remote procedure call), the Phar Lap 386 assembler, a library of functions that are ANSI C and IEEE POSIX-compliant, and a prerelease version of NetWare 386 v3.1 SDK.
According to Nancy Woodward, Novell's vice president and general manager of development products, "The NetWare Programmer's Workbench allows programmers to build distributed applications using standard programming tools and familiar procedures." Novell intends for this factor to increase the rate at which these new applications are developed. And programmers are not limited to the NetWare APIs -- you can now design your own for writing to the network operating system and install them as NLMs (NetWare Loadable Modules), which are dynamically linkable modules that allow the network operating system functions to be easily extended.
The NetWare Programmer's Workbench is available to qualified Strategic Partners for $3995. The C Network Compiler/386 and C Network Compiler are available for $995 and $695, respectively. Reader service no. 40.
Novell Development Products P.O. Box 9802 Austin, TX 78766 512-346-8380
NEMO 2.0, a real-time, rule-based expert system development package written in C, is available from S20 Developpement, a French company. NEMO 2.0 has the ability to monitor an ongoing process and respond to events as they occur, through its "Perception Module." NEMO 2.0 can be applied for maintenance functions and safely evaluations, and provides real-time capabilities for applications in areas such as telecommunications and the petroleum industry.
NEMO 2.0 consists of a facts base, a rule base, and an inference engine. The product development environment includes a knowledge compiler and optimizer for response time; a graphic multi-window developer interface that allows the display of the object hierarchy tree, control of the inference engine, and online help screens; and a graphic multi-window operator interface can be customized to generate windows for facts and explanation display and for creation and animation of process graphical views and synoptics.
NEMO 2.0 runs on a 386 workstation under Unix, on Sun 3, Sun 4, SPARCstation, on HP 9000 Series and on a DEC VAXstation with Ultrix or VMS. 1 Mbyte of RAM and 3 Mbytes on hard disk are required. Reader service no. 41.
Expert Knowledge 1801 Avenue of the Stars, Ste. 507 Los Angeles, CA 90067 213-556-1628