X/Open SQL Access Group Continues To Lead Database Access Standardization Efforts; Group Publishes CLI Specification; Group's CLI adopted as ISO International Standard; ODBC 3.0 Re-aligns ODBC With Group's Standards

Business Wire, Nov 1, 1995

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 1995--Continuing its progress in leading database access standardization efforts, the X/Open SQL Access Group today announced the publication of the first version of its call level interface (CLI) specification entitled "Data Management: SQL Call Level Interface."

Since its publication, the ISO version of the specification has progressed from Draft International Standard status to International Standard status. Another major milestone in the database access standards community was reached when Microsoft announced that the upcoming ODBC 3.0 will contain all of the additions to the X/Open CLI made by the SQL Access Group since ODBC's creation.

Earlier this year X/Open and the SQL Access Group (SAG) announced the union of the X/Open Data Management Technical Committee and the SQL Access Group. The combined group, called the X/Open SQL Access Group, is composed of representatives from AT&T, Borland, Computer Associates, Fulcrum, Hitachi, IBM, Information Builders, Informix, INTERSOLV, Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corporation, Progress, Sybase and Visigenic Software. "The X/Open SQL Access Group has made significant progress since our formation, having recently published a specification detailing the standard CLI, which is now available through X/Open distribution mechanisms," said Roger Sippl, chairman of the X/Open SQL Access Group, and CEO of Visigenic Software, Inc. "The advancement of the ISO CLI to international standard status is outstanding news, and is an acknowledgment of the fact that writing a program once, to a standard API, is not only now a reality, but has become mainstream in the computer industry and user requirements. The most significant development is Microsoft's ongoing participation in the open standards process, and their continuing alignment of ODBC with these international standards."

Frank Pellow from IBM, and a Canadian representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Database Languages Working Group said, "We are very pleased that the X/Open SQL Access Group has been a driving behind ISO's work in the area of Call Level Interface. These specifications have formed the basis for ISO's recently approved International Standard."

The X/Open Data Management Working Group was formed in 1986, and has since completed specifications for the X/Open Common Applications Environment (CAE) SQL syntax and semantics. The SQL Access Group started in 1989, and is best known for developing the standard SQL Call Level Interface (SQL/CLI), which formed the basis for Microsoft Corp.'s highly-successful Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) architecture and products. The combined group's mission is to provide developers with a common application programming interface (API) standard, which will ensure application compatibility, irrespective of vendor, platform or database.

Mike Pizzo, Microsoft's representative to the X/Open SQL Access Group said, "ODBC has always been based on the work of this group. In our upcoming ODBC 3.0 release, Microsoft will add support for the additional functionality introduced, including the X/Open descriptor architecture, in order to fully align with the newly-published standards."

The group will continue to enhance and refine both the SQL standard and the CLI programmer interface standard. The ongoing work of the group will involve specification of standards for additional data access technologies such as stored routines, asynchronous calling mode, array fetch, and extended data types. The first version of the group's CLI specification can be ordered directly from the X/Open office in Menlo Park, CA (X/Open document number C451; ISBN 1-85912-081-4).

Additionally, the X/Open SQL Access Group has assumed the responsibility from Microsoft of maintaining the combined list of implementation-specific values for ODBC and SQL/CLI. The "Registry of Values for SQL/CLI" is an important supplement to the CLI and ODBC specifications, ensuring that various implementation-defined extensions do not conflict with one another. Additional information on this document can be obtained via the X/Open Web site at http://www.xopen.org/infosrv/SQL_Registry.>X/Open Company, Ltd.

Founded in 1984, X/Open is a worldwide, independent company dedicated to bringing the benefits of open computer systems to market. The company markets products and services to computer system buyers, system suppliers, software developers, and standards organizations.

By integrating prioritized requirements and expertise from each of the groups, X/Open is able to evolve and manage a comprehensive set of publicly available open systems specifications, including de facto and international standards, which define the Common Applications Environment (CAE). X/Open operates a test and verification procedure for products developed in line with its specification, and awards its brand as the mark of compliance.

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