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by Alan Frayer



        
                In a paper released January 17, Alpha Software presented
        arguments to show that the database market is becoming less file
        relationship-oriented and more complexity-oriented.
        
                "From our viewpoint, the differentiation is no longer
        between flat-file vs. relational databases, but between the needs
        of the non-programming end user vs. the professional programmer,"
        stated Richard Rabins, co-chairman of Alpha Software, in his
        cover letter.
        
                The viewpoint should come as no surprise to those familiar
        with Alpha Software's flagship product, Alpha Four. Alpha Four is
        a menu-driven relational database targeted at the non-programming
        end user Rabins mentions in the letter.
        
                Still, Alpha made some important points which deserve
        further consideration.
        




                They astutely noticed that overall sales figures for
        databases in 1990 were down. Leading this pack were stumbling
        giants Ashton-Tate and Oracle, both posting losses. Alpha also
        noted that some of the "emerging players" have achieved record
        sales. The reason, they say, is that database developers have not
        been responsive to the needs of the end user. "Database product
        developers have focused myopically on providing more features --
        without seriously addressing the useability issue," the company
        says.
        
                Alpha splits database users into two groups:
        programmer/developers and non-programmer/business users. Alpha
        notes that programmers are finding what they are looking for in
        Foxbase, Clipper and Paradox, but that none of these provides for
        the needs of the non-programmer, who instead turns to Q&A,
        DataEase and (of course) Alpha Four.
        
                The paper goes on to discuss four features non-programming
        business users need: ease-of-use, ease-of-learning, power and
        application building time efficiency, all of which are found in
        Alpha Four. No one can expect the paper to be impartial.
        


                Alpha does predict, however, the decrease in flat-file
        database use, since flat-file databases do not offer the power of
        relational databases, and the ease-of-use generally associated
        with flat-file databases will be rivaled by that of non-
        programmable relational databases.
        
                The interesting part is where Alpha sees other database
        manufacturers "realizing the potential of the business market" by
        offering "stripped" versions of their programmable databases.
        While not mentioned, an example of this might be Clarion's
        Personal Developer. Alpha goes on to warn, "Personal databases do
        not meet the basic criteria business users require. Stripping
        these products of their programming language has also stripped
        them of their power." This attack on the "personal database" is
        unusual in that many people might consider Alpha Four to fall
        into the same category, as a non-programmable relational
        database. Clarion users might also add that their Personal
        Developer applications _can_ be edited by Professional Developer
        (the equivalent of restoring the programming language in a
        pinch), something Alpha Four cannot do.
        



                Sales hype aside, Alpha does make valid comments. Flat-file
        databases are on the decline; relational databases do seem to
        divide into easy-to-use non-programmable packages and extremely
        complex programmable ones. The conclusion Alpha makes, however,
        "the programmer/developer market and non-programmer/business
        market will co-exist well with each other through common file
        formats, data directories standards and SQL links," is not
        supported by the evidence Alpha offers. On the contrary, Alpha's
        evidence seems to say the gap will widen to the point where the
        markets will co-exist well because they have nothing in common.
        
                Alpha Software's point that a market does exist for their
        product is not under contention. The non-programmer/business user
        market is growing. It is obvious that failures can be caused by
        ignoring the needs of the users -- look at Ashton-Tate. We didn't
        need this report to tell us that. What about the hidden message?
        Does Alpha feel threatened by products like Clarion Personal
        Developer? It may be interesting to see how Alpha Four is
        marketed over the coming months.


        









ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alan Frayer, as a freelance computer journalist, is a member of InfoWorld's 
Database Review Board and a frequent contributor to the  Sarasota-based 
"Business Magazine". Frayer is also head of the database management area on 
the People/Link online information service, where he frequently comments on 
computer issues.

