In what it claims is the first business software to incorporate object-oriented technology, Borland International Inc has announced a Release 2.0 upgrade of its Reflex flat-file database program. The new release also includes Vroom, the company’s new, Virtual Real-Time Object-Oriented Memory Manager programming technique, which, according to Microbytes Daily, exploits a dynamic segment swapping concept to juggle code and data within memory. Borland says that Vroom, to be incorporated within all future applications and development tools, removes the size restrictions created by using fixed overlay files, and supports a number of new Reflex 2.0 features. These include multiple views, hot-linked windows, interactive crosstabs, and in-built graphics. Borland chief Philippe Kahn also argues that, with object-oriented technology, the way has been paved for a new generation of business software, which makes far more efficient use of memory. However, as Microbytes points out, although Reflex 2.0 data files are compatible with Paradox tables, the program has no relational capabilities. The product runs on IBM PS/2s, or ATs, XTs and compatibles with a minimum 512Kb memory and a hard disk-drive. It will be available now for UKP250. Reflex 1.0 users, whose files can be automatically read by the new version, will be able to upgrade for just UKP75.
