Dan Bricklin's Demo II Program is now available from Software Garden. This new version comes with a 220 page manual, keyboard templates, an on-line tutorial, and the ability to capture bitmapped graphics images from other programs, string and numeric variables, and a run facility with over 100 new actions to execute while running. Demo II also comes with a license to make an unlimited number of copies of the runtime. The product runs on 512K IBM PC, IBM PC AT, IBM PS/2 or compatibles using DOS 2.0 or later. A monochrome display adapter. CGA, EGA, VGA, Hercules Graphics Card or the equivalent is also required. Demo II sells for $195. Reader Service No. 20.
Software Garden Inc. P.O. Box 373 Newton Highlands. MA 02161 617-332-2240
National Design Inc. (NDI) has released Genesis 1024 and Genesis 1280 intelligent PC color-graphics controllers bundled with an implementation of the Computer Graphics Interface (CGI) developed by Nova Graphics International and Metagraphics' MetaWINDOW.
The NOVA CGI provides software developers a CGI interface that is now resident on the NDI controllers. By executing the CGI on the NDI board, the developer can perform graphics routines 20 to 40 times faster than on a PC using an EGA card.
The Genesis 1024 (a 640 x 480 up to 1,024 x 768, 16 color card), and the Genesis 1280 (a 640 x 480 up to 1,280 x 1,024, 256 color card) use Texas Instruments' 34010 graphics system processor operating at 40 or 50 MHz. The Genesis products also provide expandable memory up to 32 Mbyte.
The Genesis 1024 costs $1,700 and the price of the Genesis 1280 ranges from $2,995 to $3,995, depending on configuration. Reader Service No. 21.
National Design Inc. 9171 Capital of Texas Hwy. N. Houston Bldg., Ste. 230 Austin, TX 78759 512-343-5055
The C Programming Language, Second Edition by Brian W. Kernighan and Dennis M. Ritchie has been published by Prentice Hall. This new edition is based on the draft-proposed ANSI C Standard. The book makes precise the features that were not spelled out in the original definition of C, and states explicitly which aspects of the language remain machine dependent. New features from the ANSI standard, such as function prototypes and the standard library, are also explained. Additional changes in the new edition include a C reference manual, an appendix describing the standard library, and an appendix summarizing changes between the first edition and the draft-proposed ANSI standard. The price of the book is $40 for cloth and $28 for paper. Prentice Hall will continue to publish the first edition. Reader Service No. 22.
Prentice Hall Prentice Hall Bldg. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 201-592-2000
The Software Link (TSL) has announced its newly formed Developer Relations program. The program is based around the company's newly released PC-MOS/386 Technical Reference Manual. Participants subscribe for an annual fee of $500 to development support service which includes: PC-MOS/386 Technical Reference Manual and updates as they become available, access to TSL's support line, upgrades of PC-MOS/386, participation in TSL's product certification program and inclusion in TSL's product reference guide, and purchase of one PC-MOS package for development use at a reduced rate. Reader Service No. 23.
The Software Link 3577 Parkway Ln. Norcross, GA 30092 404-448-5465
World Wide Data has released Charm, a C source application generator. Charm is an integrated application generator for Unix and VMS environments that automatically creates fully documented C source code. Charm's 4GL, dali (data access language interface) is a natural extension of the interactive screen and program generator. All the standard field default and verification options in Charm are dali programs. Reader Service No. 24.
World Wide Data 17 Battery Pl. New York, NY 10004 718-438-2807
The Renaissance Graphics Device Interface (RGDJ) Developer's Kit is a toolkit for software developers that enables them to develop graphics applications that take advantage of the speed of a special graphics processing chip. Renaissance GRX's new product includes: Rendition I Advanced Graphics Controller incorporating RGDI, Rendition I user's guide. RGDI programmer's technical reference manual, TI 34010 user's guide, and development software.
The RGDI is a graphics controller interface that allows a software program to send messages to the Texas Instruments TM534010 Graphics System Processor, a 32-bit, high-speed integrated circuit that is optimized for graphics performance.
For developers who wish to write in assembly language, Renaissance offers an optional accompanying advanced toolkit which includes: TI 34010 debugger and user's guide; TI 34010 assembler package, including an assembler, linker, and simulator; and development utilities.
For developers wishing EGA compatibility, an optional Rendition EGA (REGA) plug-in model is available.
The RGDI Developer's Kit is available for $695. The optional Advanced RGDI Developer's Kit add-on is priced at $495. The REGA option costs $169. Reader Service No. 25.
Renaissance GRX Cedar Park 2265 116th Ave. NE Bellevue, WA 98004 206-454-8086
SoftScience Corp, has released its Convenience Plus DOS Front End which is designed for use with IBM's new 3363 Optical Disk. The program is intended for the novice and advanced PC user as a front end to MS-DOS. PC-DOS, and OS/2 and is designed for supporting file management and recovery on the IBM 3363 Optical Disk.
The program features the ability to perform DOS commands and additional commands not available through DOS; the ability to organize and understand the arrangement graphically of the computer; the ability to use the computer without memorizing or typing complicated syntax and language at a faster pace; unusual file recovery and management commands for the IBM Optical Disk; and DOS commands in five foreign languages. Reader Service No. 26.
SoftScience Corp. Box 42905 Tucson, AZ 85733-2905 602-326-4679
Sourcer, available from V Communications, allows programmers to create commented source code and listings directly from RAM, ROM, .COM files and .EXE files. Sourcer creates detailed commented listings and source code directly suitable for assembly. Built-in data analyzer and code simulator resolves data items across multiple data segments, provides detailed comments on BIOS and MS-DOS interrupt calls and subfunctions, and I/O ports. Sourcer also determines proper assembler directives for multi-segment programs. Built in processor filter optimizes code based on instruction set selected, 80286, 80186/88, 8088/86 and V20/V30.
The Source's also available with the BIOS Pre-Processor, which provides the first means to obtain accurate legal source listings for any BIOS. It identifies entry points with detailed in-line comments explaining functions and subfunctions, registers, and other key information.
The Sourcer costs $99.95, the Sourcer with BIOS Pre-Processor costs $139.95. Reader Service No. 27.
V Communications 1031 Tisch Wy., Ste. 200 San Jose. CA 95128 408-296-4224
Blaise computing has announced LYNCH PLUS/4.0, a comprehensive set of routines designed for Turbo rascal 4.0 to give programmers the power to create interrupt driven communications software. The program has a layered design of separately compiled units, with the higher levels building on the lower levels. These routines drive virtually any asychronous device via the RS-232 ports. ASYNCH PLUS includes low level control and queue maintenance functions written in assembly language and high-level routines written in Turbo Pascal to help programmers develop communication software. Fully documented source code is included as well as a comprehensive indexed manual which gives a general overview for every function category and descriptions of each function. Examples in the manual and full programs on the distribution diskettes serve as illustrations. ASYNCH PLUS is priced at $129. Reader Service No. 28.
Blaise Computing 2560 Ninth St., Ste. 316 Berkeley, CA 94710 415-540-5441
Programs in Motion offers a shortcut to large-system expert system developers by parlaying its facile, direct handling of decision trees with its new ability to generate production rules in a variety of programming languages. This expert system development software can work as a scratch pad for quick decision-tree prototyping, or even as a working breadboard. Once a decision tree functions as desired, the software can generate corresponding production rules of program code in C or Pascal. In most cases, these modules can transfer into big expert system environments with little or no change. 1st-Class Fusion for IBM PCs, IBM XT, IBM ATs, or compatibles is priced at $1,295. Reader Service No. 29.
Programs in Motion 286 Boston Post Rd. Wayland, MA 01778 617-358-7722
The GSS Graphics Development Toolkit for OS/2 is available from Graphic Software Systems. The GSS Graphics Development Toolkit for OS/2 provides a high-performance graphics development environment for OS/2-based personal computers. Its high-level functions speed development of interactive graphics applications, and a growing set of device drivers removes the burden of writing driver code for input, display, and output devices. The Graphics Development Toolkit supports advanced features of OS/2 and maintains source code compatibility with the Graphic Development Toolkit for DOS. The GSS Graphics Development Toolkits for DOS and OS/2 are priced at $495 and $695, respectively. Reader Service No. 30.
Graphic Software Systems 9590 SW Gemini Dr. P.O. Box 4900 Beaverton, OR 97005 503-641-2200
Flambeaux Software has announced TECH Help! Version 3.3A. TECH Help! is an on-screen reference for system-level programmers. It includes coverage of the DOS and ROM-BIOS services, system variables, I/O ports. installable device drivers, and the layouts and structures of dozens of data tables, bit flags, and switch settings,It covers some topics which are not documented in the official reference manuals. The new version covers DOS 3.3 and the latest versions of the ROM-BIOS.
The display driver has been upgraded to include user-configurable color selection, a simplified way to access multiple Help! manuals, and increased display speed for EGA and VGA monitors.
TECH Help! runs on computers that are compatible with the IBM PC, IBM XT, IBM AT, and IBM PS/2 computers. The program is priced at $89.95. Reader Service No. 31.
Flambeaux Software 1147 E. Broadway, Ste. 56 Glendale, CA 91205 818-500-0044
California 10 PAK, by California Software Products, has been upgraded to be used with OS/2 on the IBM PS/2 and compatible machines. California 10 PAK contains 16 programs for browsing, comparing, and sorting the contents of files and memory. System configuration and a map of all installed memory may be displayed. A disassembler produces ready-to-edit-and-assemble source files from .COM files, .EXE files, or any area of main memory. An operating system shell allows users to define the operation of function keys and to create color menus and help screens. California 10 PAK runs under any version of DOS and under OS/2 in protected or unprotected modes. The price for the product is $79. Reader Service No. 32.
California Software Products 525 N. Cabrillo Park Dr. Santa Ana, CA 92701-5017 714-973-0440