VisualWorks 2.5
The powerful client and server tool for building portable applications with object-oriented technology
VisualWorks® provides powerful tools and capabilities for building client and server applications. Feature-rich and approachable, VisualWorks provides developers with:
With its unique Database Application Creator, developers can quickly build applications using relational databases with point-and-click ease. No other client/server product has a comparable toolset that creates applications by modeling database elements as Smalltalk objects. VisualWorks' extensible and scalable environment provides tools for developers' application development needs today and in the future.
The VisualWorks environment provides a unique framework for creating database and nondatabase applications.
VisualWorks' graphical environment combines intelligent tools with extensive capabilities. The new drag-and-drop framework provides an API that lets developers build more intuitive applications. The choice of leading Fortune 500 companies, VisualWorks lets developers build basic applications quickly, reduce development costs, maintain applications easily, and provide scalable solutions--all in a flexible and unique graphical environment.
The VisualWorks launcher provides the gateway to the powerful client/server tool.
VisualWorks' unique Database Application Creator eliminates the
tedium normally associated with traditional 4GL languages. The
Database Application Creator provides developers with the following tools and capabilities for rapid database application development:
- The ObjectLens(TM) provides a unique capability which bridges the gap between relational databases and objects by allowing relational data to be accessed and manipulated as objects.
The Visual Data Modeler lets developers establish the relationships among objects. This road map is used by the ObjectLens to link relational and object data.
The Mapping Tool, part of the Visual Data Modeler, maps an object and its variables to database equivalents.
- The Visual Data Modeler(TM) creates the road map used by the ObjectLens to link relational data and objects. Developers can change schemas or switch databases, minimizing the need for them to rewrite their applications. The following tools are accessed within the Visual Data Modeler:
- The Database Tables Window allows developers to view and extract schema information from relational databases, such as Oracle7 and SYBASE.
- The Mapping Tool provides the ability to maintain relationships between tables and objects.
- The Key Editor specifies the fields that uniquely identify rows within an application.
- Reusable DataForms(TM) which combine presentation and behavior, allow database manipulation without any Smalltalk or SQL programming. Accessible from the interface painter's palette, DataForms are database-aware objects that can be used standalone, embedded, or linked.
- Customizable Templates provide a consistent look to applications and save developers time and effort. Developers can choose among six types, or use these to create their own templates.
- The Class Creator builds database-aware classes that can manipulate and access data in relational tables.
- The Canvas Composer generates easily-customized interfaces for database classes.
The Canvas Composer provides point-and-click creation of database application interfaces.
- The Ad Hoc SQL provides interactive processing of SQL statements.
- The Query Editor defines selection criteria for retrieving database information.
The Interface Painter allows developers to utilize the rich capabilities of the Canvas Tool and Palette to quickly build GUI interfaces.
VisualWorks' interface painter employs a "paint-and-build" approach to GUI construction. Enabling fast GUI
application development by directly manipulating electronic "canvases," VisualWorks allows developers
to utilize the following set of tools in their application development:
- The Palette contains interface control components for building and enhancing applications.
- The Image Editor creates and edits color icons and images.
- The Canvas Tool provides fast on-screen access to the most commonly-used functions and tools.
- The Properties Tool provides full access to the robust attributes for windows and components.
- The Menu Editor creates pop-up or pull-down menus.
- The Definer generates code by scanning user-defined properties and by providing the framework to implement them.
- ChameleonView lets developers preview their application look on multiple platforms--without the need for any recompilation or reprogramming.
VisualWorks provides tools to make application delivery easier. With the ability to load and unload parts of an application easily, developers can manage memory more efficiently and distribute application updates. The new Image Maker lets developers create more compact deployment images, enabling faster application loading.
Through the use of parcels, separate files containing grouped classes and methods, developers can incrementally update their deployed applications and better control memory requirements.
Because VisualWorks' compiles source code to the computer's native instruction set, developers need only develop their code once. Their finished application can be instantly deployed across all the major client/server platforms--without any recompiling or reprogramming effort.
Reusable Application Framework
VisualWorks is the only client/server tool that provides a Reusable Application Framework to accelerate application development. Used to generate working prototypes from user interface specification, including database-aware objects, the Reusable Application Framework acts as a scaffold upon which applications are built and provides a framework which is fully user-extensible and
configurable to the developer's needs.
Exploiting the benefits of the Reusable Application Framework, the 'visual reuse' feature allows interfaces and behavior to be shared across applications, changes to be replicated throughout an application, and maintenance and enhancement to be accelerated.
VisualWorks makes it easy for developers to access relational database systems for client/server applications. Using object-oriented technology, VisualWorks provides direct access to and between relational database systems, such as DB2, Oracle7, and SYBASE.
ParcPlace Smalltalk(TM) is a nonproprietary, ANSI-candidate programming language that provides the foundation for the VisualWorks client/server tool. It contains a library of over 900 classes and 24,000 methods and includes the characteristics of true object-oriented technology-- polymorphism, inheritance, and encapsulation. Designed to speed application development, Smalltalk offers developers support for high-level debuggers and performance analyzers, full execution speed of native machine code, and sophisticated memory management.
To streamline their application creation, developers can access the
following integrated and interactive development tools:
- Browsers allow developers to find, understand, and modify the class library. Browser types include Class (System and Hierarchy) and Method (Sender, Implementor, and Message).
- Inspectors allow developers to examine and modify the states of objects.
- The Symbolic Debugger lets developers examine, observe, and modify code and objects.
- The Change List Manager helps manage revisions for group programming efforts.
- The Resource Finder provides point-and-click access to the resources associated with an object: interfaces, menus, images, queries, data models.
- Workspaces provide "scratch pads" for testing and exploring code.
- The Spell Corrector suggests context-sensitive alternatives for potential misspellings of variables, messages, etc.
Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications for VisualWorks 2.5
Complementary Products
ParcPlace-Digitalk offers a range of complementary products for VisualWorks, VisualSmalltalk(TM), and VisualSmalltalk Enterprise(TM). VisualWorks complementary products include Advanced Tools, Business Graphics, Database Connect, DLL & C Connect, ReportWriter, and ENVY®/Developer. VisualSmalltalk and VisualSmalltalk Enterprise complementary products include PARTS Wrapper® products for ADW, CICS, COBAL, EHILLAPI, and relational databases.
Training, Consulting, and Technical Support
Georg Heeg and ParcPlace-Digitalk offers comprehensive training, on-site project assistance, and consulting services for developers seeking the full benefits of object-oriented technology. Technical support services include a telephone hotline, technical newsletter, and electronic bulletin board.
For more information on VisualWorks 2.5 for SGI from Georg Heeg - Object-Oriented Systems, call +49-231-97599-0 today.
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