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IBM VisualAge for Basic for OS/2 and for Windows Version 1 Lets You Build Cross-Platform Client/Server Applications
Announced on October 29, 1996
SOFTWARE Announcement 296-420
At a Glance
Use your current BASIC skills to build productive business solutions
that are both simple to build and easy to maintain. With VisualAge
for Basic, you can:
o Build cross-platform client and server applications
o Optimize performance with DB2 servers
o Integrate with visual, non-visual, and object-oriented components
o Access DB2 and non-DB2 data
o Increase programmer productivity with easy-to-use tools
VisualAge for Basic provides both development and run-time versions
for:
o OS/2, Windows NT, and Windows 95 client applications
o OS/2, Windows NT, and AIX DB2 server procedures (stored procedures
and user-defined functions)
The cross-platform development capabilities of VisualAge for Basic
provides the tools for users to productively build and maintain
client/server applications across an enterprise.
-----------------------------------------
For ordering, contact:
Your IBM representative, an IBM Authorized
Business Partner, or IBM DIRECT at
800-IBM-CALL Reference: YE005
Overview
VisualAge(TM) for Basic delivers a powerful suite of application
development tools built around an advanced implementation of the
BASIC programming language. VisualAge for Basic is for the developer
creating GUI clients and for the DB2(R) application programmer who
wants to use BASIC to create GUI clients, DB2 stored procedures, and
DB2 user-defined functions.
Using the BASIC language, you can build cross-platform client/server
applications. Applications can be built using objects from different
object models and can operate across a variety of operating systems.
VisualAge for Basic client support is available on OS/2(R), Windows+
NT, and Windows 95. DB2 Server support is available on OS/2, AIX(R),
and Windows NT.
With VisualAge for Basic, you can use your current BASIC skills to
build productive business solutions that are simple to build and easy
to maintain.
Features and benefits include:
Client/Server Enablers
o Build two-tiered client/server applications with local logic
running on the client and database logic running on your DB2
server.
o Access remote data via server procedures (stored procedures and
user-defined functions).
o Distribute server procedures from the client to multiple target
servers.
o Browse stored procedure and user-defined functions (UDF) catalogs.
Object-Oriented Language Extensions
o Enable BASIC programmers to create objects in a familiar,
easy-to-use language.
o Use BASIC to code to parts built in other languages, including
C/C++, OLE2, OCX, and SOM(TM) components.
Improved Productivity
o Leverages existing BASIC programming skills.
o Simplifies database programming. No SQLDA declaration, no
precompile, and no binds. VisualAge for Basic does it for you.
Open and Portable
o Supports American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard
BASIC.
o Ports source code between supported platforms.
Intended Customers
DB2 Users Who Want to:
o Build two-tiered client/server applications with local logic
running on the client and database logic running on your DB2
server.
o Access remote data via server procedures (stored procedures and
user-defined functions).
o Distribute server procedures from the client to multiple target
servers that operate with OS2, AIX, or Windows NT.
Client/Server Application Builders Who Want to:
o Leverage existing BASIC programming skills
o Support multiple client platforms -- OS2, Windows NT, and
Windows 95
o Build applications with objects from a variety of models -- OLE2,
ActiveX, SOM, and OpenDoc
Key Prerequisites
486 processor, or higher, with 24MB RAM memory. Additionally, for
server configurations, 530 RISC processor, or higher.
Planned Availability Date
October 30, 1996
VISUALAGE FOR BASIC FOR OS/2 AND FOR WINDOWS VERSION 1
VisualAge for Basic provides development and run-time versions for:
o OS/2, Windows NT, and Windows 95 client applications
o OS/2, Windows NT, and AIX DB2 server procedures (stored procedures
and user-defined functions)
The cross-platform development capabilities of VisualAge for Basic
facilitates the building and maintenance of "enterprise-scale"
client/server applications.
Features
o Client Applications
- An integrated development environment that lets you build
client and DB2 server applications using the same BASIC
language
- Visual GUI client components
- Interactive debugger
- OO extensions for client code
- OpenDoc component for visual integration of OpenDoc documents
(OS/2 only)
- Parts scripting using BASIC
- Support for static and dynamic embedded SQL
- Support for direct call level interface (CLI) and ODBC calls
- Data Access controls and classes (Windows NT and Windows 95)
- Multi-platform development and run-time support (OS/2, Windows
NT, and Windows 95)
o Server Procedures
- Distribution of server procedures to multiple target servers
- Remote debugger on server
- Ability to build, test, and debug stored procedures and
user-defined functions for DB2 for OS/2, AIX, and Windows NT
servers
- Stored procedure and UDF catalog browsers
Benefits
o Object-Oriented Language Extensions
- Enable BASIC programmers to create objects in a familiar,
easy-to-use language.
- Use the BASIC language to code to parts built in other
languages, including C/C++, OLE2, OCX, and SOM parts.
o Client/Server Enablers
- Build two-tiered client/server applications with local logic
running on the client and database logic running on your DB2
server.
- Access remote data via stored procedures and user-defined
functions.
- Use stored procedures to provide better security, centralized
maintenance, consistent data access, and reduced network
traffic.
- Run processor-intensive routines on shared, high-capacity
server machines, reducing client hardware requirements.
o Improved Productivity
- Leverages existing BASIC programming skills.
- Simplifies database programming. You do not need to declare a
host variable section to declare an SQLDA, precompile, or bind
your application. VisualAge for Basic handles it all for you
in the background.
o Open and Portable
- The VisualAge for Basic programming language is a superset of
ANSI-standard BASIC, giving you the power and flexibility of a
full-function programming language. Other database vendors
force you to use a limited-function, proprietary scripting
language to write stored procedures and user-defined functions.
- Source code is portable between supported platforms, provided
that features are applicable to participating platforms.
VisualAge for Basic Development Environment
VisualAge for Basic provides an easy-to-use, integrated development
environment. It includes a project manager, a GUI client builder, a
code editor, an advanced BASIC interpreter, a debugger, and a stored
procedure and user-defined function builder. The VisualAge for Basic
client development environment is available on OS/2, Windows NT, and
Windows 95.
o Visual GUI Client Builder
The visual GUI builder lets you to build applications with
point-and-click simplicity. You can create applications by
clicking on components in a tool box and moving the component onto
a form. You then add function to the component by coding in BASIC
in a language-sensitive code editor.
o Language-Sensitive Editor
The full-function code editor uses different colors and font sizes
to present the code in an easy-to-read format. It also lets you
jump to any subroutine in any module in your project.
o Interactive Debugger
VisualAge for Basic features a full-function debugger that lets
you set breakpoints, step through code, inspect values, and access
the procedure call stack. From your client workstation, you can
also debug code running remotely on a DB2 server.
o Object-Oriented Integration
VisualAge for Basic adds object-oriented extensions to the BASIC
language, giving you the ability to create classes and subclasses
in BASIC. You can also code BASIC method calls to external object
systems such as SOM, OLE2, OCX, and C/C++, just as you would to
any other integrated part.
o OpenDoc Integration
VisualAge for Basic enables you to link a form within your
application to an OpenDoc document. After you install OpenDoc, a
control for it appears in your VisualAge for Basic toolbox, and
you can then drag-and-drop it into an existing OpenDoc document.
o Data Access
- Options for Accessing Data
VisualAge for Basic provides three levels of data access:
-- Using the Data component and bound components -- with this
technique you do not need to write any code. Available on
Windows NT and Windows 95.
-- Programming to Data Access classes -- this technique
requires some programming but no SQL-level coding.
Available on Windows NT and Windows 95.
-- Embedding SQL or coding ODBC/DB2 CLI function calls -- this
technique gives you more control but requires complex
programming.
If you install the VisualAge for Basic DB2 support described
below, you can use embedded SQL to access DB2 from AIX, OS/2,
Windows NT, and Windows 95. In addition, you can use direct
CLI and ODBC calls to DB2 and to non-IBM databases,
respectively.
- VisualAge for Basic DB2 Option
VisualAge for Basic DB2 support is an option you can select
when installing VisualAge for Basic. If you have the DB2
Software Developer's Kit (DB2 SDK) on your system, DB2 support
enables you to:
-- Use static and dynamic embedded SQL on AIX, OS/2, and
Windows NT server platforms, and on OS/2, Windows NT, and
Windows 95 client platforms.
-- Build stored procedures and user-defined functions written
in BASIC on AIX, OS/2, and Windows NT database servers.
-- Use the powerful Visual Age for Basic stored procedure and
user-defined function builders and browsers described below.
- VisualAge for Basic Standard Option
VisualAge for Basic also provides a smaller version without DB2
support that you can select during installation. It does not
require the DB2 SDK, yet it still enables you to access DB2 or
non-IBM databases using CLI or ODBC, and build GUI client
applications without database access.
o Stored Procedure and User-Defined Function Builder
The VisualAge for Basic stored procedure and user-defined function
builder lets you easily create and register stored procedures and
user-defined functions on a single DB2 server or multiple DB2
servers, which are local or remote.
You can build on local or remote servers, on one server, or on
many at the same time, on AIX, OS/2, or Windows NT.
The VisualAge for Basic stored procedure and user-defined function
browsers display the catalog entries for all stored procedures and
user-defined functions registered to any DB2 server on AIX, OS/2,
or Windows NT.
o Stored Procedure OCX and VBX
On Windows NT, VisualAge for Basic provides an OLE custom control
(OCX) to make it easy for you to invoke DB2 stored procedures from
Windows NT and Windows 95 clients. This OCX and a similar Visual
Basic extension (VBX) ease the integration of VisualAge for Basic
stored procedures with new or existing Microsoft+ Visual Basic
client applications.
o Controlling Communications
VisualAge for Basic provides communication components to support
access to hosts, servers, and other applications via the following
communication protocols:
- Advanced Program-to-Program Communication (APPC) is an IBM
protocol that provides program-to-program communication.
- Asynchronous communication (ASYNC) provides communication
between the application and a serial (COM) port.
- Emulator High-Level Application Programming Interface (EHLLAPI)
provides communication between a VisualAge for Basic
application and an existing host system via an emulator
protocol. EHLLAPI lets you access enterprise data in existing
legacy systems.
- NetBIOS and TCP/IP are widely used protocols that support
communications between applications.
o Client/Server Programming Environments
To see where VisualAge for Basic fits in the development of
client/server applications in your enterprise, think of three
different environments:
- Where you develop your code
- Where your database server code runs
- Where your production code runs
o The Development Environment
VisualAge for Basic provides the development environment to code
and test both your client and DB2 server applications. Client
code runs on either OS/2, Windows NT, or Windows 95. The server
code it produces can run on DB2 for OS/2, DB2 for AIX, or DB2 for
Windows NT. VisualAge for Basic lets you manage your projects,
develop your client and server code, and test your application and
connect to the VisualAge for Basic server environment to build,
register, debug, test, and distribute your DB2-stored procedures
and user-defined functions.
o The Server Environment
The VisualAge for Basic server environment supports building,
registering, and running stored procedures and user-defined
functions on DB2 for OS/2, DB2 for AIX, or DB2 for Windows NT.
Server procedures built using VisualAge for Basic can use static
or dynamic embedded SQL statements, or they can issue calls to
DB2's CLI.
o The Production Client Environment
You should decide on an environment for your production client
code based on normal business factors, such as consistency with
legacy applications and availability of specific programming
language skills in your organization. Options include the
VisualAge family of products for Basic, C/C++, COBOL, and
Microsoft Visual Basic. The client portions of your production
applications can run on any operating system that can access your
database server. They can be written in any language that
provides a relational database interface.
The protocols you can use to access the database from the client
application depend on the language the client is written in and on
your environment. Languages that support embedded SQL, such as
COBOL, C/C++, and VisualAge for Basic, can invoke stored
procedures via the SQL CALL statement. Other languages can invoke
stored procedures via one of the following methods:
- The CLI driver manager provided by DB2
- An ODBC driver manager (Intersolv Data Direct ODBC pack
provided with VisualAge for Basic) for OS/2
- The Distributed Application Remote Interface (DARI) provided by
DB2
- For VisualAge for Basic NT clients, the OCX control provided
with the product
- In the case of Microsoft Visual Basic clients, a 16-bit VBX or
32-bit OCX control
An SQL query executed by any protocol can invoke a user-defined
function.
PUBLICATIONS
The following publications can be ordered by October 30, 1996. To
order, call 800-879-2755.
Order
Title Number
VisualAge for Basic Getting Started SC26-8926
VisualAge for Basic Programming Guide SC26-8833
VisualAge for Basic Language Reference SC26-8693
VisualAge for Basic Building Parts for
Fun and Profit SC26-8830
VisualAge for Basic Data Access Guide SC26-8692
SOMobjects(TM): Programming Reference SC23-2681
SOMobjects: User's Guide SC23-2680
SOMobjects: Management Utilities
for DSOM GG24-4479
Displayable Softcopy Publications: The following VisualAge for Basic
manuals are offered in displayable softcopy form in INF format, and
in printable form in PostScript format:
o VisualAge for Basic Getting Started
o VisualAge for Basic Programming Guide
o VisualAge for Basic Data Access Guide
The VisualAge for Basic Language Reference is in printable PostScript
format. The manuals above are available at no charge as part of the
basic machine-readable material. The files are shipped with the
basic machine-readable material on a CD-ROM.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND SPECIFIED OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Hardware Requirements
OS/2 Client Requirements
o 486 processor, or higher
o 24MB of RAM
o 30MB of hard disk space
Windows NT or Windows 95 Client Requirements
o 486 processor, or higher
o 24MB of RAM
o 30MB of hard disk space
Stored Procedure VBX and OCX Requirements
o 486 processor, or higher
o 16MB of RAM
o 2MB of hard disk space
OS/2 Server Requirements
o 486 processor, or higher
o 24MB of RAM
o 10MB of hard disk space
Windows NT Server Requirements
o 486 processor, or higher
o 24MB of RAM
o 10MB of hard disk space
AIX Server Requirements
o 530 RISC processor, or higher
o 38MB of hard disk space
Software Requirements
OS/2 Client Requirements
o OS/2 Version 3.0 or 4.0.
o If you are installing VisualAge for Basic with the DB2 Support
option, then you also need to install DB2 SDK for
OS/2 Version 2.1, or later, using either NetBIOS or TCP/IP
communications. For information on DB2 communications
requirements, refer to:
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/db2v2.html
o If you plan to use OpenDoc parts, you must install OS/2 Fixpack
17. You can download OpenDoc and Fixpack 17 from:
http://www.software.ibm.com/clubopendoc
o If your OS/2 client will connect to an AIX server and you plan to
use the VisualAge for Basic Remote Debugging Facility to debug
stored procedures and user-defined functions on the AIX server,
then you need to install the PMX X-Server component of TCP/IP on
the client.
Windows NT or Windows 95 Client Requirements
o Microsoft Windows NT Version 3.51 or Windows 95.
o If you are installing VisualAge for Basic with the DB2 Support
option, then you also need to install DB2 SDK for Windows Version
2.1, or later, using either NetBIOS or TCP/IP communications. For
information on DB2 communications requirements, refer to:
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/db2v2.html
o If your Windows NT or Windows 95 client will connect to an AIX
server and you plan to use the VisualAge for Basic Remote
Debugging Facility to debug stored procedures and user-defined
functions on the AIX server, then you also need to install a PC
X-Server product.
Stored Procedure VBX and OCX Requirements
o For VisualAge for Basic Stored Procedure VBX:
- Microsoft Windows Version 3.1
- Microsoft Visual Basic Version 3.0
o For VisualAge for Basic Stored Procedure OCX:
- Microsoft Windows NT Version 3.51 or Windows 95
- Microsoft Visual Basic Version 4.0
o DB2 SDK for Windows Version 2.1, or later, using either NetBIOS or
TCP/IP communications. For information on DB2 communications
requirements, refer to:
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/db2v2.html
o If your Windows client will connect to an AIX server and you plan
to use the VisualAge for Basic Remote Debugging Facility to debug
stored procedures and user-defined functions on the AIX server,
then you also need to install a PC X-Server product.
OS/2 Server Requirements
o OS/2 Version 2.0, 2.11, 3.0, or 4.0 (Version 2.0 must include CSD
6055, or later).
o DB2 for OS/2 Version 2.1, or later, using either NetBIOS or TCP/IP
communications. For information on DB2 communications
requirements, refer to:
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/db2v2.html
Windows NT Server Requirements
o Microsoft Windows NT Version 3.51.
o DB2 for Windows NT Version 2.1, or later, using either NetBIOS or
TCP/IP communications. For information on DB2 communications
requirements, refer to:
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/db2v2.html
AIX Server Requirements
o AIX Version 3.25 or 4.15.
o DB2 for AIX Version 2.1, or later, using TCP/IP communications.
For information on DB2 communications requirements, refer to:
http://www.software.ibm.com/data/db2/db2v2.html
Communication Controls Software Requirements
If you will be using one of the five VisualAge for Basic
communication controls (APPC, ASYNC, EHLLAPI, NetBIOS, or TCP/IP)
with VisualAge for Basic client, you will need to install the
software listed below under the relevant communication control and
operating system.
o APPC Communication Control Requirements
- OS/2 Client: Communications Manager for OS/2 Version 1.1
- Windows NT or Windows 95 Client: For SNA Server Clients,
connection to Windows NT Server Version 3.51 with Microsoft SNA
Server Version 2.11
o ASYNC Communication Control Requirements
- No additional software required
o EHLLAPI Communication Control Requirements
- OS/2 Client: Either Communications Manager/2 Version 1.1, or
Personal Communications AS/400(R) and 3270 Version 4.0 for
OS/2
- Windows NT or Windows 95 Client: Personal Communications
AS/400 and 3270 Version 4.1 for Windows 95
o NetBIOS Communication Control Requirements
- OS/2 Warp Client: NetBIOS, plus either OS/2 LAN
Server/Requester Version 4, or OS/2 Warp Server Version 4 Warp
Connect
- Windows NT or Windows 95 Client: No additional software
required
o TCP/IP Communication Control Requirements
- OS/2 Warp Client: TCP/IP Version 2.0 for OS/2
- Warp Connect Client: TCP/IP Version 3.0 (shipped with Warp
Connect)
- Windows NT or Windows 95 Client: No additional software
required
Planning Information
Packaging: VisualAge for Basic for OS/2 and for Windows 95 Version 1
is distributed in one package with the following materials:
o IBM International Program License Agreement in multi-language
booklet
o Proof of License
o One CD-ROM
o VisualAge for Basic Getting Started (GC26-8926)
o Registration Card
o Service Card
o License Information
Security, Auditability, and Control
VisualAge for Basic for OS/2 and for Windows Version 1 uses the
security and auditability features of the host hardware and operating
systems.
User management is responsible for evaluation, selection, and
implementation of security features, administrative procedures, and
appropriate controls in application systems and communication
facilities.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Orders for new licenses will be accepted now.
Shipments will begin on October 30, 1996.
To order these programs for order type, specify the order type
number, feature number, part number, program name, media, and
quantity.
Program Package: CD-ROM program media with documentation.
Order Feature Part
Program Name Type Number Number
VisualAge for Basic
for OS/2 and
for Windows V1 5801-AAR 1461 64H2433
Additional License Copies: Authorizes the customer who has a program
package to make a single copy of the program media and printed
documentation.
The authorization is given by providing the customer a Proof of
Entitlement for Additional License -- with Certificate, which has its
own part number and feature number.
Order Feature Part
Program Name Type Number Number
VisualAge for Basic
for OS/2 and for
Windows V1 --
Additional License --
with Certificate 5802-AAR 1494 64H2450
Additional License Copies -- Software Advantage Exhibit:
Authorization to make additional license copies begins on the start
date specified in the Software Advantage Agreement. Proof of
Entitlement will be provided monthly.
Order Part
Program Name Type Number
VisualAge for Basic
for OS/2 and for
Windows V1 --
Additional License --
without Certificate 5802-AAR 64H2445
Upgrade Protection (New Product): The following upgrade protection
products are available only under the Software Advantage for
Workstations offering:
Order Part
Program Name Type Number
VisualAge for Basic
for OS/2 and for
Windows V1
Upgrade Protection
One-Time Charge (OTC) 5809-AAR 64H2444
VisualAge for Basic
for OS/2 and for
Windows V1
Upgrade Protection
Quarterly Charge 5809-AAR 64H2443
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Licensing: The program described in this announcement is licensed
under the terms and conditions of the IBM International Program
License Agreement. A copy of the agreement is included in the
program package.
Additional License: Proof of Entitlement must be acquired.
Software Advantage for Workstations-Upgrade Protection: The
announced program is eligible as an entitled upgrade. Entitled
customers will be provided with a no-charge program package and a
Proof of Entitlement authorizing right to copy equal to the number of
programs protected. Shipment will follow planned availability.
Variable Charges Apply: No
Limited Warranty: Yes
Program Services: Program services will be available until
December 31, 1997.
Support Line: The Personal Systems Support Line applies.
Complimentary Introductory Support: Not applicable
Volume Orders: For information about volume orders, contact your IBM
representative. The without certificate program numbers for
additional license and upgrade protection part numbers included in
this announcement are eligible for volume discounting under the terms
of the Software Advantage for Workstations Agreement and Exhibit.
Guarantee: Yes. The IBM 30-day, money-back guarantee applies.
Authorization for Copy and Use on Home/Portable Computer: Yes, as
specified in the program package.
Program Transfer: Fully transferable
Educational Allowance: A reduced charge is available to qualified
education customers. The educational allowance may not be added to
any other discount or allowance.
Academic Certified Products: This program is available in an
Academic Edition that is offered solely to students, faculty, and
staff of qualifying higher education institutions. The following
Academic Edition part number is available only through IBM Academic
Certified Remarketers and participating college bookstores:
Part
Description Number
VisualAge for Basic
for OS/2 and for Windows
Version 1 -- Academic Edition 64H2449
CHARGES
Contact your IBM representative for charges information for this
announcement.
CALL NOW TO ORDER
To order, contact IBM Direct, your local IBM representative, or your
IBM Authorized Business Partner.
IBM Direct, our national direct marketing organization, can also
arrange to put your name on the mailing list for catalogs of IBM
products.
Phone: 800-IBM-CALL
Fax: 800-2IBM-FAX
Internet: ibm_direct@vnet.ibm.com
Mail: IBM Direct
Dept. YE005
P.O. Box 16848
Atlanta, GA 30321-0848
Reference: YE005
To identify your local IBM Authorized Business Partner or IBM
representative, call 800-IBM-4YOU.
Note: Shipments will begin after the planned availability date.
(TM) Trademark of International Business Machines Corporation in the
United States or other countries or both.
(R) Registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.
+ Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation