Compiler handles dBase Quick Basic adds interface, debugger

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The Computer Dealers Exposition, Comdex, is the largest com-

puter product exhibition of the year. The eighth Comdex/Fall in Las

Vegas, Nevada, Nov. 10-14, drew about 80,000 people to see more than 1200 exhibits. Dealers from throughout the world come to Comdex to- choose the products they will sell the next year. On the hard-

ware end, the new 80386-based machines dominated conversation. On the software end, desktop publishing attracted the crowds (see story on p. 90). The products listed on these two pages arejust some of the new software displayed at Comdex.

-Editor

Compiler handles dBase Quick Basic adds interface, debugger III Plus programs

III r-lsus programs

Microsoft's new version of its Quick Basic compiler adds a new user interface, built-in editor, and debugger. Writing, compiling, and debugging source code are all done without

Wordtech Systems has introduced Quicksilver, a compiler for dBase III Plus programs. Features include windowing, support for leaving the programming environment. local-area networks, memo field support, Quick Basic 2.0 can compile in memory, assembly code output linkable by the standreducing wait time. The editor highlights ard MS-DOS linker, and automatic memory errors on the screen and displays the management. Neither dBase nor Run Time+ associated error messages in a window. need be present to run compiled Quicksilver Structured-programming support includes programs. alphanumeric labels, structured logic stateQuicksilver can compile files as large as ments (including multiline lOOM bytes. A compile-time option lets all If/Then/Else/End If and While/Wend), subprogram or command files that make up an programs, and multiline functions. application be compiled in one pass. A native Modular-programming support includes assembly-code translator converts the comseparate compilation of modules (each may piled application to the machine's native be as large as 64K bytes) and the ability to assembly code to optimize execution speed. build routine libraries. Applications using more than available memOther new features include optimization ory should not be optimized. The compiler does not support the dBase III Plus commands Append, Assist, Browse, Create, Create Label, Create Report, Dir, Dis-__ play Status, Edit, Help, Insert, List Status, Modify Command, Modify Label, Modify Report, Modify Structure, and several Set

commands. It does support Append Blank and Append From.

Quicksilver does support some functions not found in dBase, including bit setting, call of C and assembly routines without loading, environment variables, value return from input ports, value send to output ports, line feed on/off, value send and return from DOS interrgpts, user-defined functions, and windowing. It also supports Ashton-Tate's dBase Tools for C prewritten C functions and C functions compiled by the Lattice C compiler. Quicksilver runs on PCs with PC-DOS or

MS-DOS 2.1 or higher and at least 256K

bytes of RAM. It includes library routines for PC-DOS; MS-DOS libraries are sold separately. It costs $599. Quicksilver can run on LANs if the PC has MS-DOS 3.1 or higher and the user buys the $99 File Server Module. For more information, contact Wordtech Systems, PO Box 1747, Orinda, CA 94563; (415) 254-0900. Reader Service Number 41

for speed and size, data space as large as available memory, individual arrays as large as 64K bytes, ability to call assembly language routines, direct access to DOS interrupts with user-supplied memory, support for graphics (including EGA) and music, support for event-trapping, and network file-sharing with file- and record-locking (LAN capabilities require DOS 3.1). Quick Basic compiles GW Basic and IBM Basica programs. The compiler requires 256K bytes of RAM and runs omputer swith MS-DOS 2.0 or higher. It can be used with a m Th I t $99 ouse. e compler cos $ For more information, contact Microsoft Corp., 16011 NE 36th Way, PO Box 97017, Redmond, WA 98073-9717. Reader Service Number 42

Software lets RTs produce documents

IBM has introduced a desktop publishing program developed by Interleaf that runs on the PC RT workstation. The system was designed to produce manuals, catalogs, and pricing sheets. It integrates business graphics, line art, text, and drawings. It features symbols, popup menus, a mouse, and windowing. The RT Publishing Software has extensive text and formatting functions, as well as the ability to rotate, size, and annotate CAD drawings

created on RTs, IBM mainframes, and some non-IBM mainframes. Compatible with the Interleaf publishing software, the RT version also can check spelling, hyphenate, format multiple columns, and generate a table of contents. It costs $8200. For more information, contact IBM Information Systems Group, 900 King St., Rye Brook, NY 10573; (914) 9344822. Reader Service Number 43

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Letraset offers Mac pubhsher

Letraset USA, a company known for its graphic arts supplies such as rub-down lettering, has announced Letrapage, a page-layout program for the Apple Macintosh. Features include editing, full-size layout for easy viewing, kerning, automatic hyphenation, and a graphics palette of rules, borders, circles, and patterns. Letrapage can import graphics produced by MacPaint and MacDraw. It can import

text files from MacWrite and Microsoft Word. It supports Postscript-based laser printers, the full Adobe font library, and all Laserwriter Plus fonts. Letrapage runs on the Macintosh Plus and Macintosh 512 machines. For more information, contact Letraset, 40 Eisenhower Dr., Paau,

nJ 07653D Reader Service Number 44

Paramus, NJ 07653.

Ventura Publisher offers high-end features

widows and orphans. Ventura supports several output devices, including Postscript devices (Apple Laserwriter and Linotronic 300 typesetter), DDL devices (Hewlett-Packard Laserjet+), the HP Laserjet (without DDL), the IBM Proprinter, and the Epson FX-80 dot matrix printer. The program requires an IBM PC XT- or PC AT-class computer running MS-DOS 2.1 or higher with at least 512K bytes of RAM. It also requires at least a IOM-byte hard disk and a graphics card (Hercules monochrome or EGA-compatible color). It supports mice from several vendors, including Microsoft, Mouse Systems, and Logitech. and~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Ventura ~ ~is ~sold~by Xerox Corp., and several together for, printing, - including Hewletthardware companies Typographic control includes leading, drop Packard, Canon, and Cordata - are buncaps, word spacing, letter spacing (kerning), dling it with their laser printers and PCs. For leader tabs, and vertical tabs. Modifiable more information, contact Xerox Corp., 101 style sheets control type style, nargins and Continental Blvd., El Segundo, CA 90245.

Ventura Software has introduced Ventura Publisher, a sophisticated desktop publishing program for MS-DOS PCs using the Gem graphics environment. Its functions are comparable to Aldus's Pagemaker program for PCs. Ventura can import text files from several word processors - and export changed text back in the correct format. Output from several graphics editors is supported, including Gem Draw, AutoCAD, PC Paintbrush, and Lotus 1-2-3. Documents may have as many as eight columns, and columns need not be the same width. Text flows automatically across pages, and as many as 64 chapters may be chained

columns, hyphenation and justification,

Reader Service Number 45

Publishing system uses typesetter interface

GO Graphics has introduced Deskset, a text-based desktop publishing program with preview mode. The program uses Compugraphic typesetting commands embedded in text to achieve page layout. It can import many word processor and graphics editor files. Graphics capabilities include commands to generate rules, borders, boxes, and matrices. It produces Postscript-format output. Status lines show current line width, type size, font, line spacing, tab position, line ending mode, vertical depth, and hyphenation status. The user-modifiable kerning (letter

Program automatically saves

data

Intellisoft has introduced Bookmark, a data-protection program that runs in the background and automatically saves data while the foreground applications runs. The data and position in the file is recorded periodically in case the power shuts off or the system is accidentally rebooted. The automatic saving interval is userdefined and can be based on length of time or number of keystrokes. If the power goes off and returns, the user can return to where he was in the program before the power loss or go on to another program. In both cases, the data will be saved. Bookmark requires at least 64K bytes of RAM and runs on PCs with MS-DOS 2.1 or higher. It also requires a hard disk with at least 10M bytes of storage. The program occupies a space on the hard disk equivalent to the system's amount of RAM. It costs $70. For more information, contact Intellisoft, 70 Digital Dr., P0 Box 1972, Novato, CA 94948; (415) 883-1188. Reader Service Number 47

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processor made

for reviewers Boderbund Softwaeprocessor" hro duced that letsFoas a "review Comment, many as 15 people make comments and suggest revisions in a document and then collate

the comments. The program works with formatted files from Wordstar, Multimate, and Word Perfect, and can function with ASCII files. The The For wit ASCI Comment file, including revisions and comcan be back to the author's ments, word processor.exported Comments are stamped with the reviewer's initials and the date to create an audit trail. Reviewers can even comment on each other's comments. Once all comments are made, they can be automatically collated for review. The interface uses Lotus-like menus and

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alignment, paragraph spacing, boxes, and

i

Word

spacing) allows 256 kerning pairs per font. Page size can be 8½V2" x 11" or 81¼ " x 14". A preview mode with three size options shows what the typeset or printed output will look like. The program runs on PCs with MS-DOS 2.1 or higher and requires 512K bytes of RAM and a Hercules monochrome graphics card. For more information, contact GO Graphics, 18 Ray Ave., Burlington, MA 01803-4721; (617) 229-8900.

Reader Service Number 46 ^

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Program records 20 music tracks

Hybrid Arts has unveiled EZ-Track ST, a

20-track recorder for Atari STs with a MIDI digital music interface. It can play back one MIDI keyboard or many keyboards and drum machines connected with MIDI. Commands are accessible by mouse, cursor, and keystroke. The program offers several real-time features, including selection of all 16 MIDI channels on any track, control of tempo adjustment, metronome on/off, and mute and solos of tracks. MIDI support includes full-MIDI recording specifications including velocity, program changes, pitch wheel, mod wheel, and all 128 controllers; clock sync and start, stop, and continue commands; full duplex/echo; and routing of mnaster keyboard through any of the 16 MIDI channels to other keyboards. The program costs $65. For more information, contact Hybrid Arts, 11920 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064; (213) 826-4288. Reader Service Number 48

:

files.r

help. The program includes

context-sensitive an on-disk tutorial.

For Comment requires at least 256K bytes of RAM and runs on PCs running MS-DOS 2.0 or higher. Files can also be shared over local-area networks (with DOS 3.1 or higher). The single-author version costs $195. The network/work-group version costs $995. For more information, contact Broderbund Software, 17 Paul Dr., San Rafael, CA 94903-2101; (415) 479-1700. Reader Service Number 49

Word Perfect 4.2 aimed at corporate markets Word Perfect Corp. has updated its Word Perfect 4.1 word processor to handle legal and corporate needs. New features include line numbering, tables of authorities,

improved paragraph numbering, statistical typing, and nonsequential page printing.

While updating the program for these markets, the company also added general features, including a document summary feature to save information about the creation date, author, typist, and contents; a concordance feature in the indexing so all occurrences of a word will appear in the index without having to mark each occurrence in the text; an expanded thesaurus; and a document preview feature that creates an on-screen image of the finished document. Word Perfect 4.2 requires 256K bytes of RAM and DOS 2.0 or higher. It costs $495. 4.1 owners can upgrade for $35. Owners of earlier versions can upgrade for $95. The company also announced an enhanced version of its Math Plan spreadsheet. Version 3.0 adds word-processing features, bitmapped graphics, extensive printing capabilities, database managemnent, and expanded memory sutpport. For more information, contact Word Perfect Corp., 266 W. Center St., Orem, UT 84057; (801) 22704405. Reader Service Number 80

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