What about getting a copy of MicroFocus Cobol and Quest Software's
NetBase/Client and recompile the code on the PC. You will have a client
server application immediately available if there is no VPLUS. There is a
VPLUS converter out there to, does anyone remember? But if it is a character
mode application it will convert immediately.

<plug>

Intuitive Programming Interface for Direct Client/Server Technology
 
As computing environments become more and more distributed, it is important
for MPE data to be accessible from every computer. Without a central console
from which to manipulate all data types, end users can't share data across
the network. NetBase\Client provides a strategic solution for legacy systems
to interface with open systems. Using Quest Software's NetBase caching,
NetBase\Client significantly increases access speeds and minimizes overhead.
NetBase\Client simplifies the programmer's job of creating client\server
applications or re-engineering of existing applications. NetBase\Client
offers a complete set of Application Program Interfaces (APIs), that provide
UNIX, DOS, and Windows 95/98/NT client/server applications with direct read
and write access through standard 16- or 32-bit TurboIMAGE, OMNIDEX, KSAM or
MPE intrinsic calls to data residing in MPE files, KSAM files and TurboIMAGE
databases on HP3000 systems.

By implementing NetBase Client APIs with UNIX or Windows applications, IS
managers can cut development time in half. NetBase Client APIs help IS staff
quickly implement applications that are tightly integrated with existing
HP3000 systems using simple recompiles with DLLs (e.g., Oracle, Informix,
Sybase, COBOL, Microfocus, Excel, Visual Basic, PowerBuilder, or any of the
other DOS/UNIX/Windows tools available). Finally, NetBase Client allows RPC
calls to be executed on the HP3000 via the NBRPC interface. With today's
technological advances on the web, web servers can seamlessly access data on
the HP3000 with out bogging the system down with additional logons. Socket
calls from the client to the HP3000 server provide instant information,
whether it comes from a shadow copy of the data or performs a real-time
update to the live production data. 

Features/Benefits:
· Remote File Access (RFA) without remote sessions logon
· Not restricted by the HP User License
· NS/3000 not required 
· Easy to implement 
· Uses high performance network caching algorithms 
· Available for a wide range of UNIX and DOS platforms 
· Reduces operating system user licensing by providing multiple simultaneous
node access to remote files without remote logons 
· Enables logical transactions in client/server environments with
DBXBEGIN/DBXEND intrinsic(s)
· Is up to 6-10 times faster than an ODBC client 
· Performs remote procedure calls to load and execute 
· Works with many client/server development packages and links to all
popular 3GL & 4GL languages
· Full read & write access to MPE, KSAM or IMAGE/SQL 
· Node level network security 
· Online network status display 

John Saylor
U.S. MPE Sales Manager 
Quest Software, Inc.
"Expect a Solution"

Main        (949) 720-1434
Toll Free   (800) 306-9329 x8422
Direct      (949) 754-8422
Fax         (949) 754-8999
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-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Hula [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, October 22, 1999 6:44 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Opinions on SpeedWare


I was originally planning on converting our Protos applications to
Speedware, along with any new programs.  We have long since
abandoned that and still have a third-party application using
Speedware.  My impressions are:
- The development environment is a good example of what you would
  find with many other 4GL's with an "object-oriented" approach.
  They did a good job with it.  It is very similar to the
  environment I used when I did some programming with Informix.
- The one application we have running on our system using Speedware
  is a drain on our entire system.  An extreme hog.  From what I
  have heard since, this is fairly typical of Speedware applications.
  Our existing Cobol and Protos/Cobol applications are extremely
  efficient, taking up little in the way of resource.
- I could get a larger box to make up for Speedware, but why should
  I?  Cobol 85, although not as fast to develop in as some of the
  4GL's, has many of the 4GL coding conventions built into it now
  and is as efficient as ever.  I hope that Speedware is just a
  bad example of what a 4GL could be.
                Tom Hula
                Victor S. Barnes

[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> Hi!
>
> I am looking for some personal opinions on SpeedWare v6.0 to evaluate
> if we should consider migrating some legacy in-house applications to
> another environment.  The most of the applications are running
> SpeedWare v6 on an HP 3000/958 MPE/XL 5.5.  There are some scattered
> SpeedWare v5 around.  If you are using it, or have used it, here are
> some of my questions:
>
> 1.  What is your overall impression with the product as compared to
> other 4GLs?
>
> 2.  How well does it support web-enabled requirements?
>
> 3.  Where do you see SpeedWare for the long-term?  Is it an in-demand
> product?  Or, is it being superceded by other products?  If the later,
> which products are replacing it?
>
> 4.  Are SpeedWare programmers a difficult to find?
>
> 5.  Is there anything else I should consider?
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> LuAnne
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.