amyjo@naima.Sun.COM (Amy Jo Bilson) (08/07/90)
The time has come (the Walrus said) to talk of SimplifySQL... an official announcement follows, but first, I want to mention one of the special capabilities of this product (which is relevant to recent discussions in this newsgroup). SimplifySQL gives you the ability to access multimedia objects *as if* they were stored in the database, by providing a mechanism for binding files and the programs that operate on them, and then accessing these objects as fields from within the database. Thus, you can set up a field in your database to be any type that you want (still or video images, sound, postscript, etc.), and store filenames as the data within this field, and as long as you can specify a program that will allow you to view/edit/play these files, you can access them from within these database programs. It's flexible, fast, and very nifty. :-) For more info, contact the following people: Richard Berger - Manager, SimplifSQL rberger@sun.com Jon Richards, Marketing for SimplifySQL jrichards@sun.com - or contact me - Amyjo Bilson (engineer, SimplifySQL) amyjo@sun.com Here's the announcement: ***************************************************************************** SimplifySQL FROM SUN MAKES DATABASES EASY TO USE New OPEN LOOK Productivity Tool Works With Ingres, Oracle, Sybase DBMS Products MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --July 9, 1990-- Sun Microsystems Inc. today introduced SimplifySQL(TM), a set of productivity tools that, for the first time, greatly simplifies the use of three of the leading database management systems (DBMS) on workstations. The new package was designed by Sun with assistance from Ingres, Oracle and Sybase for Sun's SPARC(R) family of workstations. SimplifySQL utilizes an intuitive graphical user interface, OPEN LOOK(TM), that gives users of DBMS products from these three vendors a consistent look and feel. OPEN LOOK was designed by Sun and AT&T and is part of Sun's standard window system. The window-based tools within the new Sun software make it easy to perform such tasks as creating databases, formulating queries and generating reports. With SimplifySQL, users can access and manipulate Ingres, Oracle and Sybase databases via pull-down menus and point-and-click mouse controls rather than have to memorize and type in complicated Structured Query Language (SQL) commands, which are somewhat different for each DBMS product. "Based on customer feedback, a single, simple interface to several databases is a great way to improve productivity, particularly when users learn new databases," said Jonathan Richards, software product manager at Sun. According to market researcher International Data Corp., almost all Fortune 1000 companies run two or more DBMS products. Sun performed initial product development with Ingres Corp., while Oracle and Sybase also provided technical assistance. SimplifySQL will soon add support for the Informix DBMS to the other three leading databases. SimplifySQL greatly eases the complexity of DBMS products for the average user and also helps advanced users more efficiently design and modify database layouts. In addition, SimplifySQL will help DBMS administrators reduce the demands placed on them, since databases will become much easier to access and manipulate by the users these administrators support. Four Tools in SimplifySQL Sun's new DBMS productivity package includes four modules that utilize the user friendly OPEN LOOK interface. SessionManager offers a visual way to select the DBMS product being used and to open and close databases; DataBrowse allows users to create database queries by pointing and clicking on the desired tables and data fields rather than typing in SQL commands; ReportWrite is a graphical report editor that enables users to interactively create customized database reports; and SchemaDesign is an advanced tool that makes possible the graphical creation, viewing and modification of database layouts, including tables, table relationships and data fields. SimplifySQL is another example of Sun's efforts to address the needs of database users. This value-added Sun product joins the previously announced Database Excelerator (DBE), an application that increases the database performance of all SPARC servers by boosting system throughput and reducing response times, particularly under heavy system loads. SimplifySQL costs $995, with volume discounts available. It will be shipped within 90 days. SimplifySQL runs under SunOS(TM) 4.0, 4.0.3 and 4.1. Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a leading worldwide supplier of network-based distributed computing systems, including professional workstations, servers and UNIX(R) operating system and productivity software. ### SimplifySQL and SunOS are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. OPEN LOOK is a trademark and UNIX is a registered trademark of AT&T. SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International, Inc., based on technology from Sun Microsystems. All other products or services mentioned in this document are identified by the trademarks or service marks of their respective companies or organizations.