Unity Software Systems Adds Microsoft SQL Server to Supported Database Drivers

Business Wire, March 16, 1999

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 1999--Unity Software Systems has announced plans to include support for Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 and 7.0 in its suite of high performance database drivers for VisualAge Smalltalk.

The new addition accompanies existing support for IBM DB2 and UDB 5.0 clients, Oracle 8 and Sybase Open Client 11.1x drivers.

Unity provides simple Smalltalk access to performance enhancing database features through each database vendor's application program interface (API). The Unity database drivers are written entirely as Smalltalk classes, introducing minimal overhead on top of the database vendor's provided features.

The drivers provide Smalltalk style exception handling for both API errors and SQL messages, allowing fine control over application recovery in specific situations. The straightforward class definitions and protocols allow easy integration of the drivers into any object to relational database retrieval framework.

"The only option for VisualAge Smalltalk developers using Microsoft SQL Server was to program through ODBC," said Dan Lesage, president, Unity Software Systems Canada. "With the new driver, Smalltalk developers can leverage the features of their Microsoft SQL Server databases that can truly enhance their application performance."

VisualAge Smalltalk developers can now experience the performance of Microsoft SQL Server client access directly into Microsoft databases. The Microsoft SQL Server driver will be supported on VisualAge Smalltalk 4.02b and 4.5. Unity plans to release the Microsoft SQL Server driver before the end of April 1999.

Unity Software Systems* high performance database drivers are fast. They have up to a five fold advantage in raw processing speed compared to the standard database drivers supplied with VisualAge -- the result of a simplified interface with no sacrifice of functionality.

Unity Software Systems specializes in providing real business solutions using object-oriented consulting services, component development and software products. Unity has offices in Scottsdale, Ariz.; Boston, Mass.; Los Angeles, Calif.; Ottawa, Canada; and Worcester, England.