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Architecture Model Offers Framework, Not Mandate, for UsersDatabase Access Standardization Earns Key Endorsements
The Common Sense of Common Documentation
Architecture Model Offers Framework, Not Mandate, for Users
The lack of a unifying architecture in information technology has long been a stumbling block to widespread adoption of open systems. Even the very definition of the term “architecture” is subject to debate. In early 1995, the X/Open User Council launched a major project to deliver the “unifying architectural framework.” In late 1995, the first version of X/Open’s framework was released. It contains three elements: a Technical Reference Model, providing a structure for the collection of information; Information about standards, products, and relationships between them; and a Methodology for using the information base to develop a specific user architecture. As for the immediate future, a follow-up project in 1996 will extend the range of information recorded as well as implement software tools and an associated online information service.For follow-on: http://www.xopen.org/public/tech/mgl-1095.htm
Database Access Standardization Earns Key Endorsements
The database access standards community is celebrating a series of critical milestones. The “Data Management: SQL Call Level Interface” specification was published in November by the X/Open SQL Access Group. Since then, the ISO version of the specification has progressed from Draft International Standard status to International Standard status. And, most recently, Microsoft announced that the upcoming ODBC 3.0 will contain all of the additions to the X/Open CLI made by the SQL Access Group since ODBC’s creation. The X/Open SQL Access Group is composed of representatives from AT&T, Borland, Computer Associates, Fulcrum, Hitachi, IBM, Information Builders, Informix, INTERSOLV, Microsoft Corp., Oracle Corp., Progress, Sybase, and Visigenic Software.
The Common Sense of Common Documentation
“Single UNIX Documentation” is an initiative underway by X/Open and a number of its sponsors to develop a single manual set that may be used with any Branded UNIX system. That this is now possible demonstrates the high degree of commonality between such systems. The effort that was previously spent by individual vendors in developing their own manual sets can now be shared, and the resultant savings re-invested in added value. In addition, the creation of Common Product Documentation will be an integral part of X/Open’s own specification development process. As a result of the availability of documentation in the same timeframe as the release of a specification, vendors will be able to bring products to market much more quickly.
Portability by Design
Despite the maturity of UNIX and the availability of branded implementations, the problem of application portability has not yet been solved. Due to the existence of additional functionalities in each and every platform implementation, there is little to prevent software from being developed in a way that can make it costly and time-consuming to port to and support on multiple platforms.Over the course of X/Open’s two-year association with the European Commission’s OMI/DEPLOY project, we have seen the evolution of the “ANDF” technology (originally intended to support a “plug-and-play” portability model) into an extremely useful tool for source code portability checking. Major increases in portability and savings in cost are now possible without significant disruption to the software development process.
These tools are already emerging in the form of commercial products. X/Open has formed a group to help guide future tool development and to build a library of API descriptions to match the most commonly used specifications. X/Open is looking for organizations interested in participating in this effort.
For follow on: p.tanner@opengroup.org
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