NEW ASP CODE PATTERN GIVES VB APPS A WEB INTERFACE

Visual Basic applications generated with Visible Developer can now become Web applications without changing a single line of code.

WALTHAM, MA -- December 3, 2001 -- Visible Systems Corporation today unveiled an Active Server Page (ASP) code pattern that adds significant value to its Visible Developer 2.6 model-based code generation tool. The new ASP code pattern generates the server-side Visual Basic (VB) script and client-side Java script from the application model. Now, Visible Developer users can automatically regenerate their existing VB applications to run on the Web -- without changing a single line of code. Being able to generate an application and two interfaces from a single model saves time, enables developers to focus on business -- not technical -- issues, and promotes software reuse.

"Adding the ASP code pattern is one step in Visible's plan to broaden the range of applications and user interfaces generated from Visible Developer models," said John Vosburgh, general manager of Visible's modeling tools division. "We're getting closer to our goal of 'technology neutral' systems development. By combining a single model of the business application with various code patterns, companies can achieve different technical implementations without the cost and risk of a rewrite. The IT group gets greater leverage from its existing staff, who can't be experts in every new technology, and developers maintain focus on adding business value."

Vosburgh added that Visible is working on additional code patterns to further extend Visible Developer's range of technical environments. C++/Java Outline code patterns are now in development. The company is integrating Visible Developer into Studio.Net and will offer VB.Net and C# code patterns next year.

New ASP Code Pattern

This add-on product to Visible Developer 2.6 generates ASP code for a Web browser front-end, enabling users to run their Visible Developer Visual Basic applications over the Internet. The ASP code pattern works with all browsers and uses standard technologies, including XML, XSL, and Java script. Visible Developer 2.6 customers can simply install the ASP code pattern and generate a Web interface to an existing business application modeled in Visible Developer with no further coding.

The ASP code pattern, which will be available in January 2002, costs $750.

About Visible Developer

Visible Developer 2.6 is a software component design and development tool that generates fully functional three-tier applications incorporating the latest technologies: XML, COM+, and ADO. It maps the physical database design to a single logical business object. Developers use design-time objects to express business requirements in Visible Developer's model. Code patterns translate requirements into the Visual Basic classes, modules, forms, and stored procedures comprising the applications.

Visible Developer's model-based development results in reusable, technology-neutral business components. The current product includes code generation for Visual Basic. A synchronization feature keeps the business component design consistent with the underlying database.

About Visible Systems Corporation

Visible (http://www.visiblesystemscorp.com), headquartered in Waltham, MA, is a leader in application development tools, training, and consulting. Visible has over 100,000 users of its products worldwide. Besides Visible Developer, the company's products include Visible Analyst, a powerful software analysis and design tool that supports UML, XML, round-trip, and structured software engineering in one integrated tool set; and Razor, a full-featured configuration management system.

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©2001 Visible Systems Corporation. All rights reserved. Visible, Visible Advantage and Visible Universal Model are trademarks of Visible Systems Corporation. Visible Analyst and Razor are registered trademarks of Visible Systems Corporation. VBMentor is a trademark of 3t Software. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.