25 Feb 1998 first version.

Softworks Basic is an AlphaBasic compatible Basic Language. Its purpose is to provide an easy and quick method of moving programs written in AlphaBasic to other computer platforms. AlphaBasic is a product of Alpha Microsystems which runs on their proprietary multi-user operating system named AMOS. Softworks Basic is a product of Softworks Limited:

Softworks Limited

2302 N. Greenview Ave.

Chicago, IL 60614

Tele: 773-975-4030

Sales@SoftworksLtd.com

If you are running AlphaBasic applications and wish to move your applications onto other computing platforms then Softworks Basic is for you.

Almost all computer systems are running Softworks Basic. This includes DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT, Dec UNIX on Dec Alpha, HP/UX on HP 9000, AIX on IBM RS/6000, Solaris on Sun Sparc, Linux, SCO UNIX. Other platforms are supported, call for details. Novell and Windows NT servers are supported.

Compatibility is 100% awesome! The run-time system uses all the same files as AlphaBasic. Yes, all files are exactly the same including .RUN, sequential files, random files, ISAM files, ISAM Plus files, and ESP files. Your existing source code is 100% compatible with the Softworks Basic compiler. The compiler produces an AlphaBasic compatible .RUN file. You can even move any of your files back to AMOS without problems.

Softworks Basic has features beyond AlphaBasic compatibility. For example, Softworks Basic has Visual Basic syntax compatibility, and can directly call Visual Basic programs on Windows platforms. Our X/Base database compatibility allows access to your data using industry standard tools.

Due to the differences between AMOS and other operating systems, the LOOKUP statement always returns a non-negative number. Custom XCALLs can be easily converted except in rare cases. Any CMD or DO files will have to be recoded for the new platform.

Softworks Basic consists of two programs: COMPIL and RUN. They function identically to their AlphaBasic counterparts. When you purchase Softworks Basic, you also obtain utility programs useful for producing AMOS compatible hash codes or transferring files to the new system.

No.

No.

No.

No. You don’t change any files. Even ISAM, ISAM Plus and ESP files are the same.

All standard XCALLs are fully supported including BASORT, FLOCK, and XLOCK.

Yes. Conversions are performed in less than 24 hours.

Yes. The system will be much, much faster.

There are a number of UNIX sites in the 300 to 500 user-count range. Response times are excellent. UNIX systems can probably scale to 3000 users. Windows NT and Novell servers scale to 100 users with optimal hardware. Windows peer-to-peer networking scales to about 16 users.

The installed base is around 3,000 systems and 45,000 end users. Many Fortune 500 companies use Softworks Basic. After evaluating all other options, Softworks Basic is consistently considered the preferred solution for AlphaBasic conversions.

The typical AlphaBasic application consists of 300+ programs. To rewrite the application requires considerable resources regardless of the choice of tool (Visual Basic, FoxPro, Java, 4GL, Oracle). There has been considerable history of attempts to rewrite applications. Dozens of organizations have attempted rewrites. The success rate is very, very low. Plan that a rewrite project will take 5 calendar years, several programming teams, and cost $2,000,000. These projects always start with seemingly careful analysis and confidence. However, there have only been a very few successful conversions. We would be more than happy to discuss case histories and pass on information. A rewrite proposal/plan isn’t complete without documenting other’s experiences.