May 2007 news:
- Synergy 2007 Conference
- Visual DataFlex 12.1
- CodeJock Integration
- New Toolbars and Menus
- Toolbar and Menu Builder in Studio
- Windows XP Themes
- Free VDF Connectivity to Express Databases
- Dynamic AI v6 and Dynamic AI Personal
- Pervasive PSQL.9 SP2 released
- Diary Date
Synergy 2007
Data Access’s 30th Anniversary was celebrated at Synergy 2007, which closed on Friday 18th (agenda here), with the unveiling of new features in their flagship Visual DataFlex product, as well as announcements and previews of advances in their WebApp Server, Electos (content management) and Dynamic AI (business intelligence) tools. Three days packed with conference presentations were interspersed with socialising and entertainments, culminating in a luxury cruise around the bays and islands of Miami’s coastline.
New Features coming in Visual DataFlex 12.1
Visual DataFlex 12.0 was released in December 2006 and now version 12.1 is nearing release, with public beta-test versions expected to become available next month (June 07). Some of the new features that were shown at the Synergy 2007 conference were:
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CodeJock Integration
CodeJock is a third party tool-kit of enhanced visual controls for building Windows applications. Following beta releases of a CodeJock integration kit for Visual DataFlex, Data Access have chosen to license various elements of CodeJock for inclusion in Visual DataFlex 12.1. CodeJock facilities used in VDF applications will be based on CodeJock Software’s Active-X SuitePro tools, while those built into VDF itself (in the Studio, for instance) will be based on their ToolkitPro MFC components. -
New Toolbars and Menus
One major feature of these components is the ability to use more sophisticated and visually attractive Office 2003-style toolbars (“command bars“) and menus in your applications. Visual DataFlex 12.1 will feature these new toolbars and menus, allowing the mixing of text and icons on both toolbar buttons and menu items, fine control over button sizes, behaviours and tooltips, potential user control over the placement and composition of toolbars (and even menus, if you are feeling brave!), and much more. -
Toolbar and Menu Builder in the Studio
To complement the availability of the new toolbars and menus, a new visual toolbar and menu builder has been incorporated into the VDF 12.1 Studio. Built on the same CodeJock technology, this tool will allow rapid and seamless customisation of the menus and toolbars you develop for your applications. Now, as well as application level toolbars, each view can (if you wish) have its own toolbar. -
Windows XP Themes
Another aspect of CodeJock technology is the ability to allow your applications to partake of Windows “themes“, giving your users the chance to customise their interface to their preferred individual scheme without significant development effort.
Free 5-user connectivity kits for “Express” databases
In order to promote greater adoption of a client/server approach in small systems, Data Access intend to provide free database connectivity for up to five users to the various “Express” database server editions such as Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express and IBM DB 2 Express 9. We anticipate that these will become available with the release of version 5 of the Data Access Connectivity Kits, which is currently in beta test.
Dynamic AI v6 and Dynamic AI Personal
The next release of Dynamic AI – version 6 – was previewed at Synergy 2007, exhibiting a raft of enhancements, including broadened export facilities to include Microsoft Word, PDF, XML and fixed-width in addition to Excel, report versioning and the ability to revert to older versions, “drill-out” from e-mailed HTML reports (or from Excel or Word) back into Dynamic AI, and an interface for mobile (PDA or cell-phone) access.
On top of all of this came the announcement that, with version 6, Dynamic will be available in a free-for-non-comercial-use “Personal” Edition.
Dynamic AI version 6 is expected to enter beta testing in July 2007.
Pervasive PSQL.9 SP2 released
Pervasive has announced the availability of Service Pack 2 for Pervasive PSQL v9. This Service Pack is an issue resolution release only and there are no new features or functionalities included. If you are a DataExchange user, you should be aware that Pervasive PSQL v9 SP2 requires DataExchange version 2.80.22.012 or later. To download Service Pack 2 or DataExchange visit SP2.
Diary Date
EDUC 2008
The next European DataFlex User Conference will be held in Moscow next May. This is an opportunity for you to meet, learn and share knowledge and experiences with some of the most experienced and influential DataFlex developers in Europe. In addition you will be able to take excursions to see the Kremlin and Red Square or the Space Mission Control Centre. We recommend you register early and don’t forget you will require a visa. If you visit the official EDUC 2008 website you will be able to download the visa application form and find other helpful information. So why not make a note in your diary to join us in Russia next Spring.