🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <BwnE0y.Fqx@CAM.ORG>, pascal@CAM.ORG (Pascal Gosselin) wrote:
> 
> I've been looking into DAL solutions for quite a while, but they ended-up
> being kludges since the project I'm looking into on has to access an HP3000
> running Allbase and TurboImage databases.

I hope the solutions to get at the data was the kludge not the DAL
software. :-)

> HP is now supposed to have a producted called "HP SQL for Image" that allows
> client-server links through Microsoft's Open Database Connectivity to at
> least one of these databases.
> 
> The missing link to thus connect an HP3000 to the Mac would be client software
> for the Mac.  I recall that Apple announced a deal with Microsoft that would
> integrate Microsoft's ODBC (I don't think that's the correct acronym, can't
> locate that MacWeek article!) into System 7's DAM.  

ODBC is the correct acronym, it stands for "Open Database Connectivity".

> When is this going to happen?  Is code being written?  Can we become
> beta testers (I work for an Apple dealer, the site has 300 Macs) ?

It should happen sometime next year.  Apple is doing the work and Microsoft
will distribute.

Here is the press release:

Microsoft/Apple Endorse OBDC-DAL/DAM

Microsoft and Apple Endorse ODBC-DAL/DAM Combination as Complete
Cross-Platform Solution

Two Leading Desktop Environments Converge on Standards-Based ODBC,
Furthering Database Access and Interoperability

SAN JOSE, CaliforniaPPJuly 15, 1992PPMicrosoft Corporation and Apple
Computer, Inc. today endorsed the combination of Microsoft( Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC) specification and Apple( Data Access Language (DAL) as
a complete cross-platform solution for decision support applications
requiring ad hoc access to host data residing on a broad range of servers
and databases.

AppleUs support of ODBC further reinforces ODBCUs position as an emerging
industry standard Application Programming Interface (API) and extends its
reach to include the two leading desktop computing environmentsPPthe
Microsoft Windows* operating system and the Apple Macintosh( personal
computer.

Specifically, Apple plans to extend the Macintosh Data Access Manager (DAM)
to include ODBC functions and to build, distribute and support a Macintosh
ODBC/DAL client that translates ODBC calls and information into DAL
functions and requests to enable ODBC applications access to DAL servers. 
In addition, Apple intends to develop and Microsoft will distribute and
support an ODBC/DAL client for the Windows operating system.

ODBC, which is based on the SQL Access Group Call Level Interface (CLI)
specifications, is an emerging industry standard for client- server
database access.  ODBC embodies 22 SAG CLI core functions as well as an
additional 29 functions provided by Microsoft  to provide a
complete,workable API.  The Apple equivalent of ODBC Driver Manager, DAM is
planned to  be extended to support ODBC calls, giving DAM greater
flexibility and providing Macintosh with a standards-based client-server
API.

DAL is a SQL-based language and client-server software that is integral to
AppleUs VITAL integration framework.  DAL  provides desktop applications on
both Macintosh and Windows with access to 12 relational database systems
running on 12 major computer platforms today.

RMicrosoft is pleased to be working with Apple to provide developers and
customers with a cross-platform solution, via the ODBC-DAL combination,S
said Bill Gates, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation.  RThrough our
working relationships with leading vendors like Apple, we are further
helping to establish ODBC as an industry standard and helping to ensure
access to data that spans the widest range of platforms.  Our relationship
with Apple is significant because DAL support expands the range of systems
to which a single ODBC-compliant application can connect.S

RApple is committed to making cross-platform client-server computing as
painless as possible for customers and providing the full Data Access
Language capabilities to ODBC-compliant applications on both platforms is
an example of this commitment,S Apple chairman and CEO John Sculley said. 
RApple intends to continue to enhance and extend both DAM and DAL to ensure
the needs of our customers are met.S

The combination of ODBC and DAL technologies is designed to  provide
customers with both Windows and Macintosh systems consistent data access
for applications on both platforms, using one API, one SQL language and one
client.  This in turn will make it easier to develop and deploy
client-server databases across multi-platform environments.

RThis joint endorsement of ODBC is an important industry milestone,S said
John Robertson, chairman, SQL Access Group.  RHaving ODBC on both Windows
and the Macintosh eases the development burden for database applications
and is a major step towards the SQL Access GroupUs goal of
interoperability.S

Apple plans to implement support for ODBC, in the form of the ODBC/DAL
client for the Macintosh and Windows, by the first half of next year.

Corporate Background:

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ RMSFTS) is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers.  The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the
mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage
of the full power of  personal computing every day.

Apple Computer, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets personal computer
systems for use in business, education and government.  A recognized
pioneer and innovator in the personal computer industry, Apple does
business in more than 120 countries.  Apple has redefined personal
computing to mean empowerment of the individual.  It seeks through
technology to provide everyone with easy and affordable access to
information and computing power.


> The initial minimal goal is to give access to HP3000 data to Excel users,
> does Excel 4.0 have links to ODBC ?  The connection would have to be TCP/IP
> based.

You may want to work this out with Apple and HP to see how you can proceed.
Paul Kamp
Pacer Software, Inc.
Internet: pgk@pacersoft.com
AppleLink: PACER