Microsoft Visual C++ now competes with Delphi Client/Server suite and PowerBuilder

Business Wire, June 18, 1996

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 1996--Blue Sky Software, leading provider of C Windows development tools is now announcing the new Visual SQL which turns Microsoft Visual C into a full-blown easy-to-use Client/Server development environment, providing developers with an alternative to Pascal and PowerBuilder's proprietary script language.

Visual SQL extends Visual C with visual designers, intuitive wizards, and object-oriented data access, creating a visual and easy-to-use Client/Server development environment, without leaving Microsoft Visual C 's familiar environment.

Visual SQL integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Developer Studio and is designed for developers who want to rapidly develop robust, scalable, high-performance C Client/Server applications.

"We have tested several client/server development tools but none of them were as powerful as the new Visual SQL..." said Orton Wisegarver, president of Lotus Pacific Software. "With the easy-to-use visual client/server environment, the very fast database access, and the powerful object-oriented features, we were able to complete several client/server applications ahead of schedule."

"We noticed a remarkable improvement in the speed of the applications. I recommend Visual SQL to anyone who wants to quickly and easily create client/server applications from within Visual C ," continued Wisegarver.

Visual SQL allows Visual C developers to visually and quickly create Client/Server applications. The Visual SQL Tools provide easy definition of queries, SQL statements, tables, pick lists, custom screens, and more, as well as instant access to all database objects from a central Component Repository. Visual SQL automates and shortens every stage of the Client/Server development cycle -- allowing Visual C developers to quickly and easily create robust and high speed C Client/Server applications.

Unlike other Client/Server development tools based on interpretive languages, Visual SQL is based on the industry standard C object-oriented language. Visual SQL builds on the power of Visual C and offers developers the best of all worlds: the rapid development of visual tools such as Visual Basic and the high performance and robustness of compiled C code.

Developers stay in Visual C Familiar Environment

With Visual SQL, developers can stay in the familiar Visual C environment and easily create C Client/Server applications.

Use AppWizard for Client/Server development

The Visual SQL AppWizard expands the functionality of Visual C AppWizard; so, it can now easily create Client/Server applications. The Visual SQL AppWizard builds on the MFC classes provided by Visual C and adds classes specific to Client/Server applications.

Visually create SQL Queries

Visual SQL includes a set of tools to easily create SQL queries: the Query Builder, the SQL Wizard, and the SQL Editor. The Query Builder allows developers to visually create complex SQL queries without programming. Users simply point-and-click to select the tables and columns to be displayed in the query, set conditions, and execute the query. The SQL Wizard automates the process of defining SQL statements.

Extended Component Gallery for Client/Server development

Visual SQL adds six tools to the Microsoft Developer Studio Component Gallery for easy creation of Client/Server classes, screens, and objects such as data screens, datasheets, pick lists, and queries customizable by the end user.

Database Explorer

The Database Explorer's visual environment allows Visual C developers to instantly access and manage all database objects created with Visual SQL for any Client/Server application as well as tables, views, and columns. Database objects such as queries, statements, pick lists, and ODBC data sources are stored in a central Component Repository.

Visual SQL AppBrowser

The Visual SQL AppBrowser displays a graphical view of all database objects and resources included in a specific Client/Server application. Programmers can instantly access database-related dialog boxes, queries, SQL statements, properties, pick lists, SQL source code, and more.

Database Independence

Visual SQL generates ODBC compliant-code and offers Visual C developers the flexibility to connect their Client/Server applications to all databases that are ODBC-compliant. Visual SQL's ODBC Database Connectivity cases the creation of database-independent applications by making the application code portable between databases.

Visual SQL addresses more than 30 workgroup, departmental, and enterprise databases including: Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Informix Access, the included Sybase SQL Anywhere, and other ODBC-compliant databases running under operating systems including Windows, Windows 95, Windows NT, and VMS.

Complete Client/Server Solution

Visual SQL offers a complete Client/Server solution from within Visual C . Visual SQL provides developers with all the tools they need to visually and quickly create stand-alone, royalty-free Client/Server application executables.