Microsoft Visual C++ now Competes with Delphi Client/Server Suite and
PowerBuilder

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Visual SQL turns Microsoft Visual C++ into a full-blown Client/Server
development environment, providing developers with C++, the leading
object-oriented language, as an alternative to Pascal and PowerBuilder's
proprietary script 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. 
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La Jolla, CA, May 31, 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. 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, scaleable high-performance C++
Client/Server applications. 

"We have tested several client/server development tools hut 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 Orton 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. Furthermore, Visual SQL builds on the power of
the 32-bit Visual C++ native-code compiler and delivers fast performance
Client/Server applications. Compiled code is 15 to 50 times faster than
interpretive languages. 

Developers stay in Visual C++ Familiar Environment

The Visual SQL design environment is fully integrated with Microsoft
Developer Studio, taking full advantage of the power and flexibility of
Visual C++. Developers can create, modify, compile, and run their
Client/Server applications inside Microsoft Developer Studio just as any
Visual C++ application. 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. The Visual SQL AppWizard
also provides easy access to Visual SQL's Query Builder, SQL Wizard, SQL
Editor, and the ODBC Connection Manager. 

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. The included
powerful Preview Mode lets developers run the query and manipulate live
data at design time. Using the Expression and Function Builder, Visual C++
developers can quickly create and add expressions, functions, and
subqueries on the fly.

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. The Data Screen Wizard and the Datasheet Wizard allow easy
creation of freeform data screens and datasheets (spreadsheet-like view of
columns from a table or a query). The Fill Datasheet Wizard lets
developers specify the data from queries and tables to be displayed in a
datasheet. With the Fill Pick List and Popup Pick List components,
developers can easily display lists of values from tables or queries in
combo boxes or list boxes as well as popup boxes created on the fly. 

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, ODBC data
sources are stored in a central Component Repository. 

Reusable Components

The Component Repository brings unprecedented reusability of defined
database objects such as queries, statements, pick lists, ODBC data
sources and boosts programmers' productivity at all stages of
Client/Server development. Developers can easily modify and reuse all
components located in the Component Repository for their Client/Server
applications. The DataBase Explorer includes a Database Browser to
visually navigate through the 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. This is
a real time-saver particularly when the database has been modified. The
AppBrowser lets the developer rapidly find any database-related
application objects affected by the changes in the database. 

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. ODBC drivers offer robust support for
the widest base of operating systems and databases available in the
industry. Visual SQL's ODBC Database Connectivity eases 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. Furthermore, Visual SQL's ODBC
Connection Manager enables a rapid configuration of the ODBC driver and
easy selection of the data sources and connection to the database. 

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 standalone, royalty-free Client/Server application
executables. Visual SQL also includes Sybase SQL Anywhere (a full-featured
32-bit SQL Relational Database), MFC Class Library extensions, team
development support, full report writer support, and more. 

Optimized for Windows 95 and Windows NT

Visual SQL is a 32-bit development environment optimized for Windows 95 and
Windows NT. Visual SQL is the ideal solution for developers who want a
productive, easy-to-use Client/Server development tool that's versatile
enough to grow with them as their needs and abilities grow. 

Sybase SQL Anywhere Included

Visual SQL includes Sybase SQL Anywhere, a full-featured 32-bit relational
database that can be transparently deployed and easily managed, addressing
needs from mobile computing to high-performance Client/Server
applications. Sybase SQL Anywhere features a graphical interface for
entering SQL statements and an easy migration path to Microsoft SQL Server
and Sybase SQL Server. The included Sybase Anywhere allows the developer
to complete the vast majority of the application development, testing and
prototyping on his/her desktop without having to connect to a server. Once
the Client/Server application is completed, the developer can deploy the
application to any ODBC-compliant database.

Database-Specific MFC Class Library Extension

Visual SQL generates precise, expert-level, fully-commented MFC C++ code
and creates fast and high-performance Client/Server applications. Visual
SQL also extends the Microsoft Foundation Class (MFC) libraries with
Client/Server specific extensions, the Visual SQL Client/Server Class
Library. The Visual SQL Client/Server Class Library includes reusable
Client/Server components which allow Visual C++ developers to use advanced
features such as datasheet displays, virtual lists, extensive formatting,
and more - virtually without coding. 

Team Development

Multi-user features make Visual SQL especially suited to team development.
Visual SQL maximizes the productivity of a team of Visual C++ programmers
working on the same Client/Server project through its Component
Repository. Visual SQL is also fully compatible with popular source
control packages such as Visual Source Safe and PVCS from Intersolv. 

Wide Database Support

Visual SQL includes Sybase SQL Anywhere and supports all the databases that
are ODBC-compliant. Today, most databases includes ODBC drivers. However,
Visual SQL users can also take advantage of the ODBC drivers included in
Visual C++ which can be redistributed royalty-free. These ODBC drivers
provide support for a wide variety of databases. 

Crystal Report Writer

Visual SQL users have full access to the powerful Crystal Reports Writer
package included in Visual C++. Developers can use Crystal Reports Writer
to design database reports based on the SQL queries created with Visual
SQL. 

Contact Information

Visual SQL will be available mid-May 1996 at a 90-day special promotional
introductory price of $999, list price is $ 1899. For more information,
contact the Blue Sky Software Sales Department at 1-800-459-2356 Intl.:
619-459-6365 - Fax: 619-459-6366. http://www.blue-sky.com -
Email:info@blue-sky.com. 
 
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