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Software Systems Development Tool¶

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Diagram¶

   +-------------------+
   |                   |
   |                   |
   |                   |
   +-------------------+
          Screen
          handler
             |
             v
        +---------+      Applications
        | UNIQUE  |<----------------
        +---------+
             |
             v
    +----------------+
    | Data           |
    | base           |
    | system         |
    +----------------+
             |
             v
        +---------+
        | DATA    |
        | BASE    |
        +---------+

Introduction¶

UNIQUE is a new concept for the development of applications within administrative data processing. UNIQUE is a general multi-user program, an interactive data manipulator and an experimental system development tool (a prototype system). It employs its own screen handler and the data base system SIBAS-II.

Traditional programming has been replaced by a system where the desired solution is described. This description is made by designing the screen picture the user wants to see and subsequently defining the functions/relations that the fields (data) have to each other and to the data base.

Large, complicated pictures are often difficult to complete, especially if the registered material is not in accord with the picture. A powerful tool takes care of this problem.

UNIQUE is NOT a program generator; it is a PROGRAM. This provides for giving the user the same procedures for all applications that will be developed. The fact that it is ONE program also leads to the almost total elimination of maintenance costs.

UNIQUE opens for the participation of the end user, and solutions are possible much quicker than by traditional means of system development. For a dynamic organization with changing demands, it is an indispensable tool for a stepwise introduction and a continuing development.

UNIQUE may be run on NORD-10, and on machines in the ND-100 and ND-500 series under SINTRAN-III VS, VSE and VSE/500.

10379-A1-6000-0882

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Features¶

Easy to use.
A designing tool.
The user participates both in the design and the application phase.
Dynamic.
Maintenance costs disappear.
Models are quick to define.
Programming effectivity radically improved.
Based on a standard data base system – SIBAS-II.
Improvements which are introduced in SIBAS, will also benefit UNIQUE.

Product Description¶

UNIQUE is a PROGRAM, not a program generator, as are most comparable systems. The system is an ideal tool for users who work interactively against a data base.

A simple application of UNIQUE is described below:

START-FORM
A  C U S T O M E R - R E G I S T E R
-----------------------------------
Customer:       Name: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
                       AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
                       AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
-----------------------------------------------

                    CONDITIONS
Transport: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Payment:   AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Date of del.: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

END-FORM
DATA-BASE-NAME=ADBBASE
SIBAS-DEVICE=1

START-FIELDS
ITEM=CUSTOMER REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MAINKEY
ITEM=NAME     REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY
ITEM=''       REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY
ITEM=''       REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY
ITEM=''       REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY
            FUNC=KEY

ITEM=TRANSPORT REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY
ITEM=PAYMENT   REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY
ITEM=DATE      REALM=CUSTOMER FUNC=MODIFY

END-FIELDS

This is a simple example which describes a register containing information about the data elements customer number and name.

First a description is made the picture (by the help of an editor). Then there is information about the data base name and the program. Finally comes the «program»: itself; the description of data elements which are part of the application. Each element is described using simple words for functions.

The names that follow ITEM= and REALM= must be related to corresponding item and realm names in SIBAS. Key fields which are described by FUNC=MAINKEY or FUNC=KEY must in the same way be defined as INDEX-KEY (key) in the data base.

The above application will do the following: - After a customer number has been submitted, the function MAINKEY will get the record with the indicated number and show it on the screen. If it is not found, all the fields in the picture will be blanked, and a new record will be made if the registration continues. - With SIBAS data base and a screen picture as above, this application will provide the following possibilities:

Maintenance¶

Registration of new customers.
Change of status of existing customers.
Deletion of existing customers.

Query¶

Direct search for customers via their customer number or name (may also be done via abbreviated names).
By the way of simple commands in UNIQUE a user may move through the entire list of customers (F/N/P/L – first/next/previous/last).

Printout¶

Direct printout of the screen picture on printer.
Sorted printout of the whole or parts of the list of customers.

Prerequisites¶

NORD-10 or a computer from the ND-100 or the ND-500 series.
SIBAS-II database.
An editor.

Documentation¶

UNIQUE User’s Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ND-60.167

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