products and services
Managing MS/DOS Microsoft has released an interface designed to allow users to access and run both current applications programs and frequently used MS/DOS commands. Called MS/DOS Manager, it is aimed primarily at low-cost systems and will also facilitate users moving across different machines. For example, at home they may use a low-cost PC compatible with MS/DOS Manager, at work a more powerful machine running windows and in the future machines running Microsoft OS/2. The product has a number of similarities to Microsoft windows e.g.
Help for beginners A software development tool has been produced by a UK company to assist beginners and small program developers who are programming in c. Living c Plus includes an animator which allows programmers to single step, interrupt and monitor or modify variables, set breakpoints and limit tracing. It has a c compiler, windows,
Creating forms A visual 'forms-oriented' application development environment is at the centre of cForm, a tool designed to reduce development time. The target market for the package is high-end software developers, either as VARs or in-house corporate staff. Four characteristics of cForm's architecture make it different from other application development tools, ac-
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its facilities for copying, deleting and renaming files as well as pull-down menus, dialogue boxes and mouse support. First-time users can use it and experienced people will be able to use its management functions, including the ability to search for files without knowing its directory. Minimum system requirements for MS/DOS Manager are an IBM PC or compatible machine, MS/DOS 3.0 or higher and a single disc drive. A configuration of 512kbyte or more of RAM is recommended. It will be sold to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers worldwide and made available by OEMs who licence the product. Zenith will be the first O E M to take the product, running on its Eazy 88 PCs. (Mieros~?/?Ltd, Excel House, 49 De MontJort Rd, Reading, Berks RG1 8LP, UK. Tel: (0734) 500741 ) []
FORTRAN tool
help facilities, a virtual memory editor and ANSI library functions. Although the product can only handle single files, a multiple file version will be produced. Living c Plus runs on IBM PC and compatible with 256kbyte or more on MS/DOS v2.0 or later. It is available now in the INK and in the USA through the company's subsidiary. The product costs £149. (Living Software Ltd, 34 Bramble Ave, Conniburrow, Milton Keynes, Bucks MK14 7AP, UK. Tel: (0908) 606667)
RM/Forte is a software productivity tool that works with RM/FORTRAN, the ANSI-77 FORTRAN compiler from Ryan McFarland. It is designed to improve programmer productivity by automatically managing program files, integrating several tools into one operating environment and altering the testing process. This means that programmers will not need to use different software development tools for editing, linking and managing files in a FORTRAN program. RM/Forte invokes the RM/FORTRAN compiler at the user's request when programs in the project are ready for compilation. He/she may edit either the source file or its corresponding listing file. When the linker is invoked, RM/Forte sets up a link control file. The project manager allows the status of a project to be tracked. RM/FORTRAN includes mainframe extensions from Vax, VS and FORTRAN-66 which may be used for moving large programs developed on mainframes to micros. RM/Forte will be bundled with RM/FORTRAN, run initially under PC/DOS and costs around £425. It is available worldwide. (R),an MeFarland, Crown House, Turners Hill, Cheshunt, Herts EN8 8NN, UK. Tel: (992) 24982) []
cording to the manufacturer. First, it works with a number of operating systems and computers, such as DOS, Unix and OS/2, on micros, minis and mainframes. The operating system must support a c language compiler. Second, the developer defines the application by creating forms and answering questions in dialogue boxes. He/she may write in c at each level of the development process. Databases are inferred from forms and do not have to be pre-defined. Third, the forms concept gives tel-
ational connectivity. Data associated with a form can be cross referenced with data in another form. Finally, cForm has a centralized data dictionary which improves data access time. Redundant data is eliminated by cross referencing. cForm is available now in the USA and ranges in price from $295 for the starter licence to $995 for the developer licence. (Comsure Computer Services, Inc., PO Box 235. Chatham, New Jerse), 07928, USA. Tel: (201) 273 8973) []
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