SB+ - Powerful Tools with a Future
IBM U2 SB+ for UniData and UniVerse (SB+) continues to incorporate the latest technology into its release. Recent releases have added PDF and SSL support, along with support for ActiveX Controls, moving towards a component-based, distributed architecture. Additional enhancements have included GUI objects such as Tab Folders, Dynamic Combo Boxes, multi-valued Scrollbars and multi-valued Grid Control support. SB+'s navigation system simplifies visual development and introduces a menuing system for end users familiar with the Windows Explorer metaphor. Additionally, OLE and VBScript are supported in SBClient, while this functionality is now exposed in SB+ via new paragraph statements.
Your data is secure with SB+. The latest Transaction Processing semantics now incorporated into SB+ guarantee recoverability up to the latest committed transaction in supported platforms. Data transmissions can be secured with SSL technology. Not only is your data secure, but so is the future of your application. New features being added to SB+ and SBClient - including encapsulation as a Microsoft COM Server - mean that SB+ foreground processes (GUI screens and reports) and background processes (periodic and batch processes) may be invoked from other visual environments such as Internet Explorer, Delphi, Visual Basic and Outlook via standard COM messaging. Such support for object components will ensure that your application is extensible onto emerging distributed application architectures.
Web Access
SB+ processes called from HTML and the Report Writer can now generate reports for output in HTML format. These reports are customizable and can be saved in HTML format as well. Additionally, 2nd and 3rd level help is now converted to and displayed in HTML format.
SB+ can be accessed via IBM U2 Web Development Environment (IBM U2 Web DE), formerly known as RedBack, for deployment on the Web via a browser for appropriate application modules. With U2 Web DE 4.3, SB+ input and output processes and screens can be converted to Web pages and directory structures. This enables reuse of logic and design to bring selected portions of your application to the Web.
Development and Deployment Flexibility
With SB+, developers choose the environments in which their software will be developed and deployed. Using the same source code, applications can be deployed in multiple system configurations, ranging from single-user notebooks, to networked PCs, to enterprise wide client/server configurations. SB+ applications may be developed for character terminals and Windows PCs. The character and Graphical User Interfaces offer the same level of consistency and navigational control in development and runtime environments alike, and maintain compliance with industry-accepted user interface standards.
SB+ has long enjoyed success as a Rapid Application Development tool for host environments. Thousands of commercial applications have been developed worldwide using the host-based 4GL. We continue to improve and evolve SystemBuilder to leverage technology innovations in the market.
Tools for Rapid Application Development
SB+ reflects more than a decade of investment in research and development that has resulted in a comprehensive suite of tools for application development and deployment. Its robust 4GL environment integrates critical functions such as screen design, logical file definition, global dictionary management, process definition, menu design, report generation and system documentation.
SB+ allows developers to rapidly prototype screens and menus by executing the code interpretively during the design phase of the project, and then compiling the code for maximum performance prior to deployment.
Building Blocks for an Object-Oriented Approach to Effective Software Development
Processes are fundamental to creating and running SB+ applications. They can be called from menus, buttons, function keys, screens, reports, and within expressions as well as from any input prompt. SB+ itself is built from processes. Object-oriented in nature, processes help to manage the growing complexity of applications by encouraging the creation of software that is reusable, extensible and maintainable.
Processes can range from the simple assignment of a variable, to a screen or report, to a UNIX, NT or Windows process, to a complex set of data entry screens. "Selection" processes illustrate the power of SB+. They may be used within applications to select records from a file and display the fields of those records in a window for further manual selection by the end user.
Simplified Data Server Design
The SB+ logical file model reflects the organization and relationships of entities as they exist in the real world and is well suited to complex applications commonly developed in SB+. Logical files link several "physical" files so developers can manipulate them as one. SB+ readily handles multi-file processing and updates, allowing developers to enter, update and delete data from several files in one input screen, or view data from multiple files on an output screen or report. These reports can now be in HTML format and are fully customizable.
Sophisticated Application Development Features
- Documentation Generation - Developers can produce comprehensive end-user and technical documentation, and automatically generate manuals, create custom user-specific documentation, and build schematic process overviews.
- Version Management - Release management and revision control is provided for tracking and reporting all modifications made to the application since the last revision. Changed definitions may be saved on media and deployed at customer sites. For GUI development, the latest versions of the screen definitions and ActiveX controls are automatically deployed to the client when using SBClient, guaranteeing that the latest version of the application is always executed.
- Multi-Value Definition - SB+ excels in the area of multi-valued field handling by incorporating tables that support controlling and dependent multi-values, automatic table generation, in-line editing, row and column selection, and list scrolling.
- Language Translation - SB+ supports internationalization of application screens, error messages, dialog boxes, function keys, intuitive help, documentation and processes, opening doors for developers to distribute software globally.
- Debugging - SB+ provides powerful debugging facilities including the "XP process" which helps new programmers learn the functionality and flow of an application. COMMON, DEBUG and TRACE allow developers to examine application variables at any time during execution.
Elegant End-user Environment
The SB+ runtime environment delivers platform independence and a consistent user interface across multiple operating systems and data servers. The end user has complete flexibility to navigate freely between different applications and modules, and between the SB+ system, Microsoft Windows and the underlying data server environment.
SB+ is unmatched in the in-product help put at the end user's fingertips. Context-sensitive Textual and Intuitive Help get users up and running and instantly productive - without forcing them to study lengthy user manuals. Second and third-level help are available in HTML format, as well.
The unique Intuitive Help feature in SB+ acts as an "intelligent assistant," providing structured aid for field completion. When Intuitive Help is integrated into an SB+ application, it greatly enhances the software's ease of use and dramatically reduces the user's learning curve. The user does not need to refer to the application's documentation to operate an SB+ application.
The SB+ security system provides full, customized control over system access by individuals or groups. The runtime environment allows allocation of individual users to specific groups, and provides for restrictions based on logon times, dates and access to operating system commands. The system may also be employed to log user activity. The security system is built with SB+ and can be tailored to suit an individual organization's requirements.
SB+ tools help administrators effectively manage sophisticated multi-user software installations. The operational interface provides an easy-to-use front-end with a consistent user interface, regardless of the operating environment.
Personal Productivity Tools
The SB+ runtime system is a complete environment that provides a number of useful adjunct office automation applications for use "as is" or that can be customized for individual requirements. These include Electronic Mail, Diary, Time Management, Contact Management, Activity, and Project Tracking.
Benefits:
- Application Portability - Applications may be in a variety of UNIX and NT-based host configurations as well as stand-alone on the Windows desktop, and in mixed, networked environments.
- Support for Character and GUI - A single SB+ application can support both character terminals and Microsoft Windows GUI when using SBClient on your desktop. The GUI Form Painter allows you to utilize the latest GUI objects like Radio Buttons, Tab Folders, and editable Combo Boxes, as well as incorporate ActiveX controls.
- Client/Server - A sound technological strategy and solid architecture enable developers to build, deploy and manage flexible and scaleable client/server solutions.
- Legacy Applications - An evolutionary approach to application development allows developers to leverage their investment in existing code and business rules, ensuring that applications continue to evolve as technology, platforms, and deployment architectures change. This includes the ability to execute any Basic routine from any process hook in SB+.
- Breadth and Depth of Product - SB+ is a complete development and deployment environment providing a rapid application builder, dictionary management, query and reporting tools, documentation manager, personal productivity tools, administration, version management, and developer services such as customer support and professional services. SB+ takes care of the technology details, so developers can focus on what they know best: their application, their business, and their users.
