Advanced Software Technologies Inc, El Segundo, California has announced version 4.0 of its Magix software, which it claims is the only multi-user database for personal computer local area networks that can support over 250 workstations without the associated performance sacrifices. Running on a standard personal computer workstation and local net server hardware, Magix functions without requiring either PC-DOS or a network operating system to be present, and apart from the 250 workstations, the new version includes support for IBM’s Micro Channel Architecture and co-existence of MS-DOS on a workstation with the Magix environment. According to Advanced Software, the designers of Magix applied multi-user techniques such as parallel processing, virtual systems and multitasking and mainframe-style control over data contention and data integrity to the design of version 4.0, the result, says Advanced Software, being a seamless application development environment that takes advantage of the dual-processing capabilities of personal computerbased local area networks. Applications are implemented by defining the information that will be on screen or appear in reports and from these definitions the database is designed and created automatically.
Own programming language
Magix has its own programming language, the Magix Development Language, or MDL MDL programs are written using any standard MS-DOS editor such as BRIEF or the IBM Personal Editor. Users can modify screens or reports without having to change MDL procedures or the database. Similarly, changes can be made in MDL code without modifying the database description. A typical Magix workstation consists of an 8088, 8086, 80286 or 80386 processor; 192Kb memory, although 640Kb is recommended for MS-DOS applications; and an Ethernet adaptor card. Workstations are connected to the Magix server via industry standard cabling and Ethernet hardware. A typical Magix intelligent database server consists of an 80286 or 80386 processor; AT bus; a minimum 640Kb of RAM expandable to over 4Gb; a 20Mb hard disk drive; and a 60Mb tape streamer. Magix 4.0 comes in Development and Runtime versions and a Magix Development package, or factory, contains all of the elements necessary to develop complete Magix applications, including the Magix Development Language, Screen and Report Formatting software, a compiler, as well as utilities and all communications and network management software. Factories are designed for applications developers within medium-to-large companies, and retails for $20,000. Valueadded resellers and systems integrators who provide their own support to end users may purchase Magix factories for around $12,500. The Magix Runtime package is an executable workstation version of Magix and must be installed on the server and workstations to run Magix applications. Pricing for Magix Runtime modules ranges from $1,250 for four workstations, rising to $13,400 for 255 workstations. Magix version 4.0 is available now.
