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VisualAge

From Alfawiki
VisualAge
Company typeSoftware
IndustrySoftware development
FoundedOctober 1993; 33 years ago (1993-10)
DefunctApril 30, 2007 (2007-04-30)
FateDiscontinued; rights to VisualAge Smalltalk acquired by Instantiations, Inc. in 2005; succeeded by IBM XL C/C++ Compilers
ProductsIntegrated development environments (IDEs) for multiple programming languages including Smalltalk, Java, C, C++, COBOL, Fortran, EGL, PL/I, RPG, Pacbase
OwnerIBM (until 2005 for Smalltalk component)

VisualAge represents a suite of integrated development environments (IDEs) created by IBM that cater to a variety of programming languages. Initially launched in October 1993, VisualAge was officially discontinued on April 30, 2007, with its online presence being removed by September 2011. Also known under the name VisualAge Smalltalk, the global rights for this product were acquired by Instantiations, Inc. in 2005. IBM designated its XL C/C++ Compilers as the natural successors to the VisualAge line.

Early history

The origins of VisualAge trace back to IBM's Research Triangle Park laboratory, founded in 1984 with the mission to develop application programming tools. Among the lab’s early creations was EZ-VU, a PC version of the ISPF 327x interface. This facility was instrumental in advancing object-oriented programming within IBM, utilizing an internal language named ClassC to construct sophisticated graphical user interfaces.

With the arrival of Smalltalk implementations suitable for IBM PC-AT class hardware, IBM began experimenting with Smalltalk-based development environments. At the same time, visual interface design tools were gaining momentum—initiatives such as IBM’s InterCons and Apple’s Fabrik showcased interactive graphical applications composed from modular primitives. Jean-Marie Hullot’s interface builder evolved into NeXTStep’s Interface Builder, which enabled WYSIWYG user interface design tightly integrated with native object-oriented code.

The initial VisualAge prototype sought to emulate the NeXT interface builder within the Smalltalk/V framework. Upon release, VisualAge highlighted not only visual UI construction but also visual development of application logic, aligning with IBM’s strategy to position Smalltalk as a code generator within its Systems Application Architecture.

VisualAge

The term "VisualAge" was chosen through a contest held among the development team. Following the debut of VisualAge/Smalltalk, VisualAge emerged as its own brand encompassing versions that supported multiple programming languages and platforms.

Languages supported ranged across BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, EGL, Fortran, Java, Pacbase, PL/I, IBM RPG, and Smalltalk. The supported platforms included AIX, OS/2, i5/OS (previously known as OS/400), Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, TPF, z/VM, z/OS (formerly OS/390), and z/VSE.

In 1992, Apple and IBM collaborated to create Taligent, building on Apple’s object-oriented operating system project Pink. After their partnership ended, Taligent’s CommonPoint technology was integrated into VisualAge beginning with the Compound Document Framework in VisualAge C++ 3.5 for Windows. The 1997 introduction of Taligent technology appeared as Open Class in VisualAge C++ 4.0, providing frameworks for desktop components, web development, graphics rendering, international text handling, file systems, printing services, and testing utilities. This extensive object-oriented framework was regarded as a major technological milestone.

Despite supporting various programming languages, most VisualAge products were developed using Smalltalk. IBM’s own Smalltalk implementation was created by Object Technology International (OTI), which IBM later acquired and fully assimilated.

VisualAge for Java operated on an enhanced Smalltalk virtual machine capable of running both Smalltalk and Java bytecodes, with Java native methods implemented in Smalltalk itself. VisualAge Micro Edition was a Java-based IDE designed for embedded Java and cross-platform development that eventually evolved into what is now known as the Eclipse Framework.

Over time, several VisualAge products were superseded by solutions within the WebSphere Studio portfolio. By 2005, Instantiations, Inc., a company specializing in Smalltalk technologies, assumed responsibility for technical support and worldwide rights to IBM VisualAge Smalltalk technology. Instantiations continues to offer an advanced iteration called VA Smalltalk (VAST Platform). Meanwhile, the C, C++, and Fortran compilers available on AIX, Linux, and z/OS were rebranded under the XL C/C++ series.

Releases

When adhering to IBM's recommended practices, applications created with VisualAge C++ can be transferred across various platforms without altering the source code. IBM also supplied supplementary tools and libraries to support situations where code adjustments were necessary to achieve portability.

OS/2 and Windows

  • VisualAge C++ 3.0 (compatible with OS/2 and Windows)
  • VisualAge C++ 3.5 (designed exclusively for Windows 95/NT)
  • C and C++ Compilers for OS/2, AIX, and Windows NT Version 3.6
  • VisualAge C++ Professional 4.0 (for OS/2 and Windows)
  • VisualAge Generator Developer V3.1 tailored for OS/2
  • VisualAge Generator Server V3.1 for OS/2 environments
  • VisualAge for OS/2 1.0 (released in 1993)
  • VisualAge COBOL for OS/2 ranging from versions 1.0 to 2.2, including Enterprise 3.07 (Windows exclusive)

OS/400

  • VisualAge C++ for AS/400 versions V3R6, V3R7, and V4R4

AIX

  • VisualAge C++ Professional editions for AIX, featuring Versions 5.0 and 6.0

POWER Linux

  • VisualAge C++ Version 6.0 for Linux platforms, including subsequent refresh updates

POWER MacOS X

  • VisualAge XL C++ Version 6.0 compatible with Power MacOS X (10.2, 10.3)
  • VisualAge XL Fortran Version 8.1 designed for Power MacOS X (10.2, 10.3)

See also

Bibliography

VisualAge - Smalltalk

  • IBM Corporation, IBM, (1994). “IBM VisualAge” retail package along with associated documentation
  • IBM Corporation, IBM, (Spring 1995). “Smalltalk resource catalogue” (96 pages)
  • IBM Corporation, IBM, (October 1994). “Development guide” (250 pages), “Programmer’s reference” (458 pages), “IBM Smalltalk” (172 pages), “Installation guide booklet” (48 pages), “Programmer’s guide to building” (149 pages), “User’s Guide and Reference” (642 pages)

IBM VisualAge for COBOL Standard supports Year 2000 compliance and requires Warp Version 4.0 with FixPak 1 or Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3

  • IBM Corporation, IBM, (1997). “IBM VisualAge for COBOL Standard” Version 2.1 retail package and manuals


External links

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