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ALPHA2
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1991-02-22
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by Alan Frayer
In a paper released January 17, Alpha Software presented
arguments to show that the database market is becoming less file
relationship-oriented and more complexity-oriented.
"From our viewpoint, the differentiation is no longer
between flat-file vs. relational databases, but between the needs
of the non-programming end user vs. the professional programmer,"
stated Richard Rabins, co-chairman of Alpha Software, in his
cover letter.
The viewpoint should come as no surprise to those familiar
with Alpha Software's flagship product, Alpha Four. Alpha Four is
a menu-driven relational database targeted at the non-programming
end user Rabins mentions in the letter.
Still, Alpha made some important points which deserve
further consideration.
They astutely noticed that overall sales figures for
databases in 1990 were down. Leading this pack were stumbling
giants Ashton-Tate and Oracle, both posting losses. Alpha also
noted that some of the "emerging players" have achieved record
sales. The reason, they say, is that database developers have not
been responsive to the needs of the end user. "Database product
developers have focused myopically on providing more features --
without seriously addressing the useability issue," the company
says.
Alpha splits database users into two groups:
programmer/developers and non-programmer/business users. Alpha
notes that programmers are finding what they are looking for in
Foxbase, Clipper and Paradox, but that none of these provides for
the needs of the non-programmer, who instead turns to Q&A,
DataEase and (of course) Alpha Four.
The paper goes on to discuss four features non-programming
business users need: ease-of-use, ease-of-learning, power and
application building time efficiency, all of which are found in
Alpha Four. No one can expect the paper to be impartial.
Alpha does predict, however, the decrease in flat-file
database use, since flat-file databases do not offer the power of
relational databases, and the ease-of-use generally associated
with flat-file databases will be rivaled by that of non-
programmable relational databases.
The interesting part is where Alpha sees other database
manufacturers "realizing the potential of the business market" by
offering "stripped" versions of their programmable databases.
While not mentioned, an example of this might be Clarion's
Personal Developer. Alpha goes on to warn, "Personal databases do
not meet the basic criteria business users require. Stripping
these products of their programming language has also stripped
them of their power." This attack on the "personal database" is
unusual in that many people might consider Alpha Four to fall
into the same category, as a non-programmable relational
database. Clarion users might also add that their Personal
Developer applications _can_ be edited by Professional Developer
(the equivalent of restoring the programming language in a
pinch), something Alpha Four cannot do.
Sales hype aside, Alpha does make valid comments. Flat-file
databases are on the decline; relational databases do seem to
divide into easy-to-use non-programmable packages and extremely
complex programmable ones. The conclusion Alpha makes, however,
"the programmer/developer market and non-programmer/business
market will co-exist well with each other through common file
formats, data directories standards and SQL links," is not
supported by the evidence Alpha offers. On the contrary, Alpha's
evidence seems to say the gap will widen to the point where the
markets will co-exist well because they have nothing in common.
Alpha Software's point that a market does exist for their
product is not under contention. The non-programmer/business user
market is growing. It is obvious that failures can be caused by
ignoring the needs of the users -- look at Ashton-Tate. We didn't
need this report to tell us that. What about the hidden message?
Does Alpha feel threatened by products like Clarion Personal
Developer? It may be interesting to see how Alpha Four is
marketed over the coming months.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alan Frayer, as a freelance computer journalist, is a member of InfoWorld's
Database Review Board and a frequent contributor to the Sarasota-based
"Business Magazine". Frayer is also head of the database management area on
the People/Link online information service, where he frequently comments on
computer issues.