Digital Equipment Corp is shifting its object-oriented software development into the commercial sphere by announcing object-oriented enhancements to its Cohesion software strategy. A new version 2.0 of DECdesign, the graphic and analysis design tool will now run on its Ultrix systems and includes support for the Ptech object-oriented methodology and C++ code generator from Associative Design Technology Inc. Version 2 now also supports the Coad/Yourdon methodology and the enhanced data modelling Yourdon, Gane and Sarson, and Merise techniques. Version 2.0 will be available late summer under VAX OpenVMS and RISC/Ultrix. The Objectivity/DB database from Objectivity Inc, Menlo Park, California, which DEC has offered for a year, will now be marketed as the DEC Object/DB from September, also under OpenVMS and RISC/Ultrix. It comes with three support options: for application developers, end-users and system administrators. DEC will announce a further release of DEC C++ in October which adds support for DEC OSF/1 as well as OpenVMS and RISC/Ultrix: an Alpha version is a possibility, the company says. It will include C++ exception handling, a name demangler and support for shared libraries on DEC OSF/1. DEC is also expanding its Rdb Solutions Vendor Programme to include object-oriented tools, applications and services. The programme currently provides applications and services for DEC’s Rdb/OpenVMS database and related tools. DEC has also set up the Object Database Assessment Team to provide consultancy to customers deciding between an object database or a traditional approach for an application. On the standards side, DEC has announced that it is working with International Software Systems Inc, Austin, Texas on an architectural definition and implementation plan for the European Computer Manufacturers Association’s Portable Common Tool Environment standard. The Environment was developed under European Community auspices in 1983, has been implemented across Europe and is now filtering through to the US. DEC says its aim is to implement the standard with its own products as well as merging the US and European standards.
