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                    *          DB/C Newsletter          *
                    *          September 1997           *
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                               News and Comments

     I hate that old saying "better late than never", but it really applies to
the DB/C Newsletter.  After a two month hiatus, during which time we have been
hard at work on new projects, the DB/C Newsletter is back.

     This month we announce a new direction for DB/C.  DB/C JX is the new
direction.  It takes DB/C into the exciting world of Java.  We have discussed
the technical merits of Java in the past, so they won't be recounted.  Suffice
it to say, Java is a very important part of the future of the computer
industry.  And DB/C JX tightly integrates Java and DB/C.

                                                          don.wills@swc.com


                                  DB/C JX

     DB/C is growing.  Early next year, Subject, Wills & Company will release
one new software product and two major upgrades to existing software products. 
The names of the three products are DB/C JX, DB/C DX and DB/C FS.  Together
they make up the DB/C family of software products.

     DB/C JX is the new product.  With DB/C JX, you can create Java class files
from DB/C source programs.  These class files can run anywhere that a Java
class file can run, including on WWW browsers like Netscape Navigator and
Microsoft Internet Explorer.

     DB/C DX is the next version of the flagship product DB/C.  The DX has been
added to the name to distinguish it from DB/C JX.

     DB/C FS is the file server part of the DB/C family.  It is the next
version of FSS.  It contains two major enhancements.  The first is support for
DB/C file IO (OPEN, READ, READKS, etc.).  The second is two-tier server
support.  The server portion of DB/C FS will run on any DB/C supported
run-time, including UNIX and Windows NT.

     DB/C JX is similar to DB/C DX.  They both consist of a compiler, a
run-time, and several file utilities.  They both compile the DB/C language. 
But the similarity stops there.  The DB/C DX compiler creates .DBC files which
are then run by the DB/C DX run-time.  The DB/C DX compiler creates Java class
files, which are then run by a Java Virtual Machine (JVM).  JVMs are available
for most major computer operating environments, including IBM mainframes, UNIX
machines, and all desktop computers, including Windows 3.x/95/NT, Mac OS, OS/2
and others.  In addition, JVMs will be available in many other operating
environments, including hand-held computers, televisions, TV cable boxes, smart
cards, and in many other places.  Java class files provide the ultimate in
portability of programs.

     The best thing about DB/C JX is that you get all of the benefits of Java
without having to convert programs, or even learn the Java language!

     The DB/C JX compiler is distributed in two forms:  as an executable and as
a Java class library (dbcmpjx.jar).  The executable DB/C JX compiler is named
dbcmp.  Except for a different set of command line options, the executable
compiler is almost the same as the DB/C DX version of dbcmp.  The Java class
library version of the DB/C JX compiler provides the same functionality.  It is
run directly in a Java run-time environment.  This allows for program
development in any Java compatible environment, including Network Computers
(NCs) based on non-Intel computer chips.

     The output of the DB/C JX compiler is a Java class file.  Java class files
have the .class extension in their names.  For example, at a Windows 95 command
prompt, you can compile the program test.prg like this:

   dbcmp test.prg

or like this:

   java dbcmp test.prg

In both cases, the file test.class is created.

     A class file created by the DB/C JX compiler can be run either as a Java
application or as a Java applet.  To run it as an applet, it must have been
compiled with the -a option, like this:

   dbcmp test.prg -a

     Class files are supported by the DB/C JX run-time library (dbcjxl.jar). 
This class library contains classes and methods that support all of the
features of DB/C, including KEYIN and DISPLAY, file IO, printing, and the other
verbs of the DB/C language.

     DB/C JX includes the same file utilities as traditional DB/C.  In DB/C JX
Release 1.0, the file utilities will not be 100% Pure Java.  They will work
with DB/C JX, but will not be available in all Java environments.  They will
work in conjunction with DB/C FS, which should provide for sufficient file
server support for most requirements.

     The only major limitation of DB/C JX 1.0 is the lack of GUI support.  This
will be added in the next major release of DB/C JX.

     Alpha testing of DB/C JX has already started.  A feature-complete, beta
test release of DB/C JX will be available in October 1997.  If you are
interested in participating in the beta test program, please contact us at
dbc@swc.com.

     The DB/C JX production release date and pricing have not yet been
determined.


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