rogerb@vrdxhq.verdix.com (Roger Baker) (04/19/89)
Verdix corporation announced April 10, 1989 the immediate availability of its Ada development environment for Sun Microsystems Sun-4(TM) and Sun-386i(TM) lines of technical workstations. Combined with previously available products for Sun-3(TM) systems, the Verdix Ada Development System (VADS(TM)) is now available for all Sun architectures. The availability of VADS for all Sun systems is a key feature of the joint technology agreement between Sun and Verdix announced last October. The Sun-386i compiler was validated on November 14, 1988, making it the first compiler from any Ada vendor to pass version 1.10 of the Ada Compiler Validation Capability (ACVC). The Sun-4 compiler, for Sun-4 products based on SPARC(TM), Sun's open architecture RISC processor, was validated in February, 1989, and is the first compiler from Verdix to utilize version 6.0 of VADS. Both compilers have completed full field testing and have been released for general customer availability. The VADS software development environment includes a validated Ada compiler, an interactive symbolic debugging facility, source code management and recompilation tools, and program generation tools. VADS is used to develop Ada language software to be run on mainframe computers, workstations, and embedded microprocessors for real-time control applications. The new products feature a number of enhancements to the standard VADS product. Version 6.0 of VADS running on the Sun-4 includes a new optimizing technology, OPTIM3, which improves code speed an average of 33% as measured by the "Hennesey" suite of benchmark tests. On the same set of benchmarks, code produced by the VADS Ada compiler executes as fast as code produced by C compilers available on the Sun-386i. A new implementation of Ada tasking in VADS 6.0 provides task rendezvous times up to 30 times faster than in previous versions (as fast as 12 microseconds on a Sun-4/260). A special interface of VADS with the SunView window interface allows communication between Ada tasks and SunView windows, and provides an Ada language interface to SunView program calls. Combined, VADS fast tasking and SunView(TM) interface provide the real-time capabilities required for many workstation-based Ada applications. Roger Baker, Director of Marketing for Verdix said, "Our joint technology agreement with Sun assures Sun customers of access to the best Ada products. The Sun-4 and Sun-386i are powerful processors that fit well with the distributed development philosophy preferred in software development environments. Our engineers are especially impressed with the speed of the Sun-4 systems." Charlie Simmons, Director of Marketing and Program Management for Sun Microsystems Federal said, "The Verdix emphasis on performance complements the power of the Sun workstations. As substantial numbers of new systems are purchased by the defense community for Ada development, performance has become increasingly important. Powerful Sun workstations, often combined with Verdix Ada products, are used in many Ada projects, including a number of large procurements. Sun is dedicated to providing the best available solutions for our customers." Under the terms of the joint technology agreement between Verdix and Sun announced last October, Verdix and Sun are jointly developing Ada language products for all Sun architectures. Other products being developed include a development and debug interface tailored to Sun's windowing environment, and integration with the Sun Network Software Environment (NSE(TM)). NSE is Sun's networked CASE solution that provides control and management of large scale software development projects. Pricing for VADS on all Sun workstations has been set at $7,500. VERDIX Corporation is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, with major software development facilities in Aloha, Oregon. It specializes in products to meet government and industry needs for Ada language development systems and secure computer networks. Verdix is traded on the NASDAQ (Symbol: VRDX). For more information contact: Steve Hodges Verdix Corporation Vice President, Sales and Marketing (703) 378-7600 hodges@verdix.com