Newbury, Berkshire-based Micro Focus Group Plc has launched IMS Option version 3.1, a development tool that enables programmers working on iAPX-86-based personal computers to develop applications using IBM Corp’s IMS mainframe hierachical database. The company says that it gives developers the power of IMS, when used as a database, but in a client-server environment. The improvements over version 3 means that it can be used for a wider range of applications, for more steps in the life cycle and is more compatible with DL/I. The tool bolts on to Micro Focus Workbench and, says Micro Focus, extends logical database support for DL/I, with features such as recursive and chained hierarchical crossings, needed for mainframe legacy appplications involving large amounts of data and with complex inter-relationships. IMS Option can be used to develop applications in Windows, MS-DOS and OS/2 or a variety of Unix systems. Micro Focus claims that by enabling developers to work at their own workstations IMS Option increases productivity while reducing costs. Version 3.1 has a new utility to speed the loading and unloading of procedures and also has a number of features for administrators supporting appplication groups such as data set initialisation, pointer resolution, progress and activity reporting, and text and graphics menus. Version 3.1 also sees increased capacity such that use on personal computers matches DL/I capabilities and Micro Focus says that this means developers can work on vast applications at their workstations. The product is available now at a cost of UKP1,200.
