Sybase Inc’s tools division Powersoft Corp is hoping to open up the development of business applications in Java to a wider developer base with the pre-release of a Java rapid application development tool, code-named Starbuck. Starbuck combines business application development concepts from Sybase’s Optima++ environment with a Java tool set. Optima++ offered a drag and drop, visual development environment for C++ programmers. Starbuck will extend the facility to Java developers, the company says, and take it beyond the early adopter community. It is designed to enable new developers to get started simply, and then to grow in to the full capabilities of Java. Starbuck will provide in-context debugging within the browser, a library of components and classes, seven views for project navigation and a visual SQL editor. It supports JavaBeans and ActiveX components and includes a set of built-in JavaBeans components to enable developers to assemble Java applets and applications. Starbuck also provides database support through a set of data-aware components that can be used with any Java Database Connectivity- compliant data source. To enable developers to build and test database applications, Starbuck includes Sybase’s SQL Anywhere database (CI No 2,819). It also includes native drivers to Sybase’s own database products. Sybase technical marketing specialist Tina Pitts, says with the need to reduce software deployment costs and the move toward thin client computing, developers are moving more and more applications onto the server. She says Starbuck enables them to develop server-type applets and applications using high level components. Sybase is providing early access to Starbuck for developers with a pre-release trial version available to download free from the Powersoft Web site at http://www.powersoft.com. The company is hoping to get feedback from developers before finalizing the release product, which it says should be due out in the second half of next year. Pricing will not be available until nearer the general release date.
