Informix Corporation announced major enhancements to its Java and XML development tools strategy, which make it much easier for developers to build and deploy multi-tier, standards based, enterprise applications with Informix databases. The company introduced the Informix Object Translator, a data integration tool for transparently mapping objects from Java and Visual Basic programs to Informix Foundation.2000 database server, as well as a partnership with Sun on the Forte for Java Community Edition IDE. Informix will add value on top of this IDE for Java developers building applications for Foundation.2000 and Cloudscape database servers, as part of an overall focus on enabling fast and easy Java development. Informix Object Translator is a development and runtime tool for multi-tier Web applications serving dynamic content. The front end GUI enables users to visually map Java objects to relational tables without writing code. The runtime component, written entirely in Java, enables these objects to run in a middle tier application server. Informix Object Translator enables developers to build high performance, data-driven Java and Visual Basic applications very quickly. Version 1.0 is being released with Foundation.2000 (v. 9.21), the company’s high performance, fully extensible data and content management platform for the Internet. Informix Object Translator version 1.1, due to ship this month, adds support for the saving of XML objects from a Java application to relational tables, as well as the creation of XML objects from existing relational tables. This bi-directional mapping capability makes it easy to represent relational tables as XML objects in data exchange applications, and to store XML objects in the database in content management solutions. These XML capabilities, complemented by Ardent DataStage XML Pack, deliver the core technology and support for building high-end XML data solutions. www.informix.com
Day: June 5, 2000
Extensibility, Inc. announced the commercial release XML Instance, a schema-driven data editor for XML-based application business documents. XML Instance is the first in a series of products that will focus on the design, processing, and management of XML infrastructure assets within an enterprise. Organizations can embed their XML-based business rules in an XML Instance document so that internal, trading partner, and industry standards are achieved. XML Instance supports the major XML schema dialects, creating a bridge for the widespread adoption of XML within an enterprise and its partners. XML Instance features include: User configurable architecture for fully customizable views; Schema-aware XML business documents; Support for major and emerging schema dialects including DTD, XDR, BizTalk, SOX v2.0, and a sub-set of XML Schema; Real-time validation and editing facilities against an XML schema or DTD; Drag-and-drop editing within the user interface; And an intuitive graphical interface for the design and navigation of long or complex XML business documents. XML Instance is available for immediate download from www.extensibility.com/products/. Licensing is available for single users ($99.95) and in multi-user x-packs (5-user $449.95; 10-user $849.95; 50-user $3995.00). www.xmlschema.com/.
Adobe Systems Incorporated announced the immediate availability of the Adobe Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) Viewer, a browser extension that enables current versions of popular web browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator to render SVG. The Adobe SVG Viewer is included with Adobe Illustrator 9.0 software, which began shipping June 2, and is also available for download from Adobe’s web site at: www.adobe.com/svg/viewer/install/. SVG is the W3C’s emerging, open language for describing two-dimensional graphics in XML. Because it expresses vector graphics in XML and is compatible with other W3C initiatives, SVG’s impact on the design, development and ultimately the customer experience of highly sophisticated e-commerce web sites could be profound. Using SVG, web site architects enjoy a more compelling authoring environment for creating rich, multi-channel, dynamically generated content. Graphics can be customized, modified, scripted, and adapted during design or at run-time by a server, then distributed in an optimized form to multiple platforms. SVG also integrates seamlessly with existing Web workflow and standards, allowing IS professionals to incorporate content from numerous back-end databases, servers and e-commerce engines without the limitations of a proprietary data format. Most importantly, customers will have a more compelling web experience, including faster downloads, better navigation and true interactivity. SVG is being developed by the W3C and its members, who include Adobe, Apple, Corel Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Company, IBM, Kodak, Macromedia, Inc., Microsoft Corp., Netscape Communications, Quark Inc., Sun Microsystems, Inc., and Xerox Corporation. The specification is currently in its eighth working draft and Last Call phase. The most recent public draft was released on March 3, 2000. For more information on SVG, please visit the W3C web site at: www.w3.org/Graphics/SVG/. The Adobe SVG Viewer ships with Adobe Illustrator 9.0 software and is expected to be included in upcoming versions of additional Adobe products, including Adobe LiveMotion. It is also available for download from the Adobe.com web site at: www.adobe.com/svg/viewer/install/. Adobe is providing an SVG overview and tutorial with numerous SVG examples at: www.adobe.com/svg/.
Information Architects announced the availability of SmartCode, the next generation of iA’s core product offerings that supersedes their introductory framework, Metaphoria. SmartCode will be available as a suite of the following four unique products: 1. Aggregation Framework: applies the power of metadata to dynamically aggregate user-critical content and functionality from a wide range of sources without replicating the original source to a content repository. Using a mapping process, it combines user-defined templates, business objects, and information into a wide range of presentations, including browser applications, XML documents and wireless interfaces. 2. Dynamic Syndication Server: provides a simple interface for subscriber partners to define both the look of their Web sites as well as which SmartCode Framework data or functionality will be presented to the end user. Business users can define their own information views by simply using the appropriate subscription template and selecting the information that most pertains to their needs. 3. Converters: used as part of a complete solution or individually, PDF and Word documents are converted into XHTML that is ready to be displayed directly on the Web or parsed as part of an overall Web presentation. And, 4. Watcher: identifies changes to targeted source data, thereby allowing only the most current and accurate information to be available to the system. Also can be used to notify users of changes or to trigger the SmartCode Framework to apply specific business rules based on the change. www.ia.com
