mikem@tekcae.UUCP (Michael E. Meyer) (03/20/85)
Here is a summary of the few responses that I received as a result of my
errant posting of a query about Data Dictionary software running on Unix or
a PC. Thank you for responding about packages and indicating your interest.
It was a surprise to me that many people do not understand what a data
dictionary is, much less who might have one running on UNIX or MS-DOS.
Having been actively involved (an officer) on the ANSI X3H4 (Information
Resource Dictionary System (IRDS) a.k.a Data Dictionary on a grander scale),
until recently, I could talk for hours on what it is AND is not.
In essence, an IRDS or DD is a database that allows you to describe your
data, the processes that manipulate it, the environment in which they both
reside AND, most importantly, the relationships between all of these
descriptions. In a typical environment, we want to describe programs, data,
and their relationships. Why? Because, it allows to survey cause and
effect and assess impact. I.e. if we change data element A, which programs
are effected?
If you are more interested in what the IRDS is, call me and I'll give you
pointers to more documentation. FYI, ANSI X3H4 will be sending out their
draft American National Standard for public review this year...
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+ RESPONSES +
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From: tektronix!ihnp4!wucs!plus5!hokey
Consider the VA File Manager. It is PD software, written in mumps.
If you want to run under Unix, we sell a version of mumps which runs
as a "tool" under Unix, just like most other programs. If you want
to run under CP/M or PC-DOS or MS-DOS, there is a PD version of
Mumps available from UCDavis.
Hokey ..ihnp4!plus5!hokey
314-725-9492
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From: tekcrl!tektronix!hplabs!hpda!fortune!redwood!rpw3
...p.s. Slight hacking to the "ctags" program might give you a leg up
on what you're looking for, since "ctags" already provides somewhat
of a DD for routine names, at least....
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From: tektronix!danielh.miller@csnet-relay
Excellerator from Index Technologies (Cambridge, MA) supports
not only a DD, but also mouse driven data flow diagrams and
such. Runs on PC-DOS, with at least 10 meg. hard disk. Demo
was impressive although product is expensive ($10K) and
oriented toward the DP world. Try contacting them:
Index Technology Corporation
Five Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: (617)491-7380
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Michael E. Meyer
________________________________________
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