TopSpeed Headed For Java

By David Harms

Posted September 29 1999

9/29/99 4:00 PM

Richard Chapman, TopSpeed's VP of R&D, announced this afternoon that TopSpeed will in a future release generate Java code. Although no firm dates or specifications were offered, the Java-capable version is the fourth product in the pipe, after Web Edition 2, the iBuild product, and C6, which will be a synthesis of the best of WE2 and iBuild.

Very little time was given to the Java product anouncement, which generally had a positive reception.

One of the biggest challenges facing TS in the move to the web is supporting distributed applications. By generating Java code, TS offloads language development and gains a lot of existing functionality which would be very difficult to reproduce in Clarion.

Chapman defined Clarion as TopSpeed's strategic language for client/server development, and Java as their strategic language for distributed, multi-tier development. One of these development strategies is in decline, the other is experiencing rapid growth. At some point the two lines will cross.

When asked if there is something happening between TopSpeed and Sun Microsystems (currently looking for a Java development environment), Roy Rafalco, Topspeed's President and CEO stated there was no such deal in the works.

Franks Watts also confirmed that although TopSpeed has several distinct products at the moment, the evolution is toward a single development environment. He also suggested that the optimal ugrade path is for developers to upgrade to the current Web Edition, then follow that path through to Web Edition 2 and then C6. WE2 will have a full copy of DreamWeaver integrated into the environment. This is expected to increase the cost by under $100.

TopSpeed also plans to open an online store using its forthcoming iSell technology.

Details on the Java strategy and the wrap-up sessions to follow.

David Harms is an independent software developer and the editor and publisher of Clarion Magazine. He is also co-author with Ross Santos of Developing Clarion for Windows Applications, published by SAMS (1995), and has written or co-written several Java books. David is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).