Cyberscience Corp, Hoddesden, Hertfordshire, has a new visual version of its proprietary language report writer. VCQ – Visual CyberQuery – is part of the company’s CQCS application development toolset for Unix, Digital Equipment Corp VAX and Data General Corp proprietary systems, MS-DOS machines and networks. It works with multiple databases and data structures under X-Motif and DECWindows, with a Windows 3 version promised for the future, and integrates with high-level and proprietary language applications as well as CQCS. There are three levels, enabling a range of users from non-technical management to professionals to use the product. Cyberscience says that reports can often be produced in a hundredth of the time that it takes with Cobol. VCQ, written in C, uses undisclosed proprietary technology to process thousands of records per second, reducing report run-times. The firm claims the product is more powerful and comprehensive than low-end competitors such as IQ and Snow, more flexible, easier to use and cheaper than top-end systems from the likes of SAS Institute Inc and Information Builders Inc’s Focus. As for the mid-range competitors, they are often forms-based and tied to a particular proprietary language or database. VCQ runs on R-Series, Sparc, Intel, IBM Corp and Hewlett-Packard Co hardware, with a DEC Alpha version promised. Pricing depends on the machine. Cyberscience has a US office in Denver, Colorado.
