Cupertino, California-based Symantec Corp has announced Q&A version 4.0, an update of its database and word processing software for MS-DOS: version 4.0 includes tools for advanced database applications, and posting enables users to post data to external databases; when used with the external lookup command, users can create two-way links between databases and it provides a direct link to SQL for queries and reports on corporate SQL data; also, data can be retrieved and merged into a Q&A database, and there is a set of Application Programming Tools for custom application development; the company says that the Q&A language interface has been enhanced with the addition of the Query Guide which provides faster access to information; users may summarise and cross-reference data with Crosstab reports, and the integrated word processor includes several new features for power and easier use, and the word spell checker now includes a built-in 660,000 word thesaurus; version 4.0 is available now through distributors and resellers at $400 and the upgrade price is $85; a Network Pack allows three additional concurrent users to access a single copy of Q&A version 4.0 located on the network server; it costs $500, and an upgrade comes in at $120.
