Any Windows, Any Time

UNIFACE Developers Poised To Capitalize On Evolving Microsoft Operating Systems and Technologies

Microsoft Windows or Windows 95 on the desktop? Windows NT on the desktop, the server or both?

Regardless of where you want to go today--to borrow a phrase from Microsoft Corp.--Compuware's UNIFACE application development environment will take you there. UNIFACE gives developers confidence that they can:

Deploy a single client/server application on any combination of Windows, DOS or other platforms simultaneously, without recoding;
Migrate an application from any Windows operating system to another with just a few clicks of the mouse;
Exploit the native characteristics of each operating system, including the native look and feel of its graphical interface and unique technical features;
Overcome learning curves typically associated with new operating systems.

"Our open support for Microsoft's evolving operating systems--as well as others--underscores the benefits of a technology-independent architecture unique to UNIFACE," says Roy Franzen, UNIFACE product manager for desktop environments. "The architecture has three independent layers. UNIFACE stores the functionality of the application--its business rules, global objects, data model and so on--in an application model layer. That layer is separate from the data management layer and the presentation layer. As a result, changes can occur in DBMS type or presentation interfaces without affecting the application itself."

Compuware is a Microsoft Solution Provider. That partnership helps ensure UNIFACE is well integrated with Microsoft technologies and gives the UNIFACE management team early insight into new operating systems so that UNIFACE can quickly take advantage of enhancements.

Different paths, different reasons

Windows 3.x is currently the most popular client platform for UNIFACE, and is expected to remain the major platform for future versions of UNIFACE Six, Franzen says. However, IT departments have good reasons for migrating to Windows 95 or Windows NT on the desktop, he adds.

Compared with Windows 3.1, Windows 95 supports 32-bit applications, protected mode, pre-emptive multitasking, a spiffier interface, and a simpler installation process. Common tasks such as printing and connecting to a network are easier and faster with Windows 95 than with its predecessor. Compared with Windows 95, Windows NT's superior multithreading and smoother multitasking make it more robust. And Windows NT's built-in security lets IT professionals restrict access to databases, files and other resources. "Windows 95 is the right choice for basic business and personal productivity applications," Franzen says. "Windows NT is designed for the most demanding business uses. It is also the choice for those who need multiprocessing and RISC systems."

Ryder Dedicated Logistics, a division of Ryder Systems Inc., has targeted Windows NT as its strategic direction for both the client and the server, says Arif Ahmed, director, integrated logistics systems, in Miami, Florida. "NT is a full function operating system and is more robust" than Windows or Windows 95, he says.

In the past, Ryder Dedicated Logistics has developed applications in UNIFACE and deployed them to employees with Windows 3.1 clients. Late last year, developers were at work on a new application for use by Ryder Dedicated and Leasing customers. A turnkey transportation management system, the new application will deliver lower carrier costs and streamlined administrative processes. Ahmed was leaning toward deploying the new application on NT. "The developers have indicated to me that it shouldn't be a problem," he says. In fact, UNIFACE's technology independence enabled the developers to begin work on the application before the choice of deployment environment was finalized.

Compuware offers versions of UNIFACE for Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT that enable developers to capitalize on the strengths of each platform. A 16-bit application developed with UNIFACE for Windows 3.x, for instance, will also run in the native 32-bit mode under Windows 95 or NT. To deploy an application under a different client platform, developers simply move their application (forms) from one deployment environment to the other, without recompiling. Not a single line of code has to be changed.

Here's a closer look at how UNIFACE applications utilize the unique features of each Windows platform:

Windows

UNIFACE for Windows 3.x is well integrated with Microsoft technologies such as Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) and Visual Basic Extensions (VBXs). UNIFACE can act as a DDE client and/or server, enabling easy integration of applications. Developers can insert VBXs bought from other vendors into their UNIFACE applications. UNIFACE also makes full use of Windows printer drivers, allowing high-quality print-outs on a broad range of printers.

A third-party database driver is available to link UNIFACE applications to databases that comply with Microsoft's Open DataBase Connectivity Protocol. (See article on Page 9.) In addition, localized versions of UNIFACE for Windows are available for several languages, including simplified Chinese, Japanese (Kanji) and Korean. Localized versions are also available for Windows NT and will be for Windows 95.

Windows 95

UNIFACE for Windows 95 will meet Microsoft's "Designed for Windows 95" requirements. Specifically, UNIFACE will be a native 32-bit development environment. It will support unique Windows 95 features, including: the new user interface and shell, the Registry, the De-Installer, long file names, and Universal Naming Conventions. UNIFACE for Windows 95 also supports Microsoft's Object-Linking and Embedding 2.0 (OLE) strategy for assembling applications with reusable and interchangeable components. UNIFACE applications can serve as OLE Containers, which means developers or end users can drag and drop OLE objects into a UNIFACE application from other application windows. A UNIFACE form will be able to have one or more container widgets, which can be database or non-database fields.

A controlled release of UNIFACE for Windows 95 is expected to be available in March. Compuware plans to include support for OLE visual editing, OLE automation and OLE Controls in future versions of UNIFACE for Windows 95. Compuware also is considering adding OLE 2.0 support for Windows 3.x and Windows NT.

Windows NT

UNIFACE applications can run on Windows NT (as well as any other Windows clients) and access Windows NT database servers. Currently, UNIFACE for Window NT is available on the Intel platform. Later this year, versions for Alpha and PowerPC processors will become available.

Windows NT is an ideal server platform for UNIFACE, which is why Compuware has made its PolyServer option available for Windows NT. With PolyServer, Windows NT can serve UNIFACE applications running on Windows 3.x, Windows 95 and Windows NT clients.

Wherever you go

Even if your organization has embarked on a migration plan for Windows 95 or Windows NT, chances are you're already facing more decisions. A new version of Windows NT that includes many Windows 95 features is due out later this year, and next-generation releases of NT and Windows 95 are under way. Whatever the mix of operating systems that proves right for your organization's needs, UNIFACE will leave you poised to capitalize on them.