VIPER Database Engine (TM) (PREVIEW RELEASE 0.9.2) for OS/2

Copyright (c) - 1995 by Douglas A. Bebber.


VERSION SPECIFIC INFORMATION

This version of the VIPER Database Engine is primarily for evaluation and testing.  It is the
first OS/2 port and as such may have some bugs.  The purpose of circulating this PREVIEW
RELEASE is to detect and eliminate any bugs or software defects through user feedback.

Please report any bugs or suggestions to:

Douglas A. Bebber
CompuServe: 72123,3661
Internet: 72123.3661@compuserve.com

DISTRIBUTION TERMS

The VIPER Database Engine package may be freely distributed by anyone. The VIPER
Database Engine may be distributed by software developers (for any reason) on a non-exclusive,
royalty-free basis.


WARANTY

There is no implied warranty with this package. The author assumes no responsibility
for any intended use of this software. Use at your own risk!


DESCRIPTION, PURPOSE, AND FUTURE PLANS

The VIPER Database Engine(TM) is a portable, scaleable database engine written entirely in
the C-Language. Its modular structure makes it easily portable to other operating systems
(next OS is Linux!). An MS/PCDOS version currently exists. It uses an ISAM/B+tree
implementation for databased services.

The VIPER Database Engine(TM) for OS/2 is a 32-bit native code database engine for the
IBM OS/2 operating system (OS/2 version 2.0 and above). It contains C-Language and
REXX APIs. This preview release is in preparation for the VIPER Database Engine
(version 1.0.0) general release. API documentation for the PREVIEW RELEASE 0.9.X is
available for the REXX API only! (sorry, C-Language API will be available soon).

The projected features sets for the VIPER Database Engine are as follows:

Version 1.0.0

+ Database Engine using Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM) / B+tree algorithms.
+ C-Language and REXX language APIs.
+ Single threaded core database engine.
+ Single-user capability.
+ Single file format for database and index files.


Version 1.5.0

+ All of the features of version 1.0.0.
+ Full multi-user Lock Manager Module supporting locks to record level. The Lock Manager
  Module will come in two forms (single and multitasking).
+ Free VIPER Database Engine C-Language source code distribution.


Version 2.0.0
+ All of the features of version 1.5.0.
+ Multimedia data type facilities (BLOB support).
+ Installable Security Manager Module for access and encryption facilities.
+ Free VIPER Database Engine C-Language source code distribution.

Version 2.5.0
+ All of the features of version 2.0.0.
+ SQL Interface Module.
+ Distributable SQL Server architecture implemented using named pipes and other IPC mechanisms.
+ Free VIPER Database Engine C-Language source code distribution.

Versions > 2.5.0 To be announced at a later date.