PowerBuilder 11 GA - Released

PowerBuilder has always been the fastest tool to develop with, and now that we can deploy applications to the .NET platform

By: Chris Pollach

Jun. 17, 2007 10:00 AM

Chris Pollach's Blog

Sybase announced the availability of Sybase® PowerBuilder® 11, the premier 4GL rapid application development (RAD) tool. Building on its strength in quickly developing data-driven applications necessary to critical business functions, PowerBuilder 11 provides PowerBuilder developers with the simplest, easiest and most cost-effective way to deploy applications on the .NET platform.

"PowerBuilder has always been the fastest tool to develop with, and now that we can deploy applications to the .NET platform, we have more options for our customers," said Ali Mehmet, technical director at Maracis Solutions Limited, a Sybase customer. "Recently, we became a finalist for an important RFP with a working prototype built with the
PowerBuilder 11 beta. We couldn't have done it without Sybase PowerBuilder."

PowerBuilder 11 dramatically simplifies .NET development and is part of Sybase's plan to deliver robust support for the .NET framework. With this release, PowerBuilder 11 provides developers the flexibility to deploy applications as .NET Windows® Forms, Web Forms, and .NET Smart Clients, as well as develop traditional client server business
applications and Web Services.

PowerBuilder 11 continues to support integration with J2EE environments and Win32® applications. Integration with the leading development platforms provides a more open, flexible environment for developers with heterogeneous platform requirements. PowerBuilder also offers increased productivity as it enables less complex coding and shorter development cycles than applications built with 3GL level tools.

"The new features in PowerBuilder 11 enable our customers to use the assets they already have - code and developers' skill sets - and then transform these assets to solve immediate and future demands of business," said David Tong, vice president of engineering at Sybase. "PowerBuilder's speed and flexibility means customers can
develop business critical applications for use anytime, anywhere." New features in PowerBuilder 11 include the following capabilities:

" Deploy PowerBuilder non-visual objects (NVOs) as .NET assemblies and .NET Smart Client applications
" Deploy PowerBuilder NVOs as Web Services and PowerBuilder applications to the Web quickly using ASP.NET
" Support for Microsoft® SQL ServerT SNC and Oracle® 10g RAC
" Ability to use Web Services as a data source for DataWindow®

Pricing and Availability
Available now, new licenses for PowerBuilder 11 start at $2,995, with updates to older versions of PowerBuilder beginning at $1,495. For additional product information, or to place an order, please call 1-800-8-SYBASE, or visit: http://www.sybase.com/powerbuilder.

About Chris Pollach
Chris Pollach is a Senior Consultant with over 25 years experience in Systems and Software Analysis, Development, Maintenance and Technical Support, mainly in the areas of GUI Design, MS-Windows Programming, Java / .NET Programming, Wireless, Application / Web Server Design & Programming, Object Oriented Development Tools and Methodologies, Data Base, Data Communications and Network application development. He has participated in numerous technical, planning and management roles, as well as consulted and educated in these fields for a diverse clientele. He is also the owner of “Software Tool & Die Inc.” a company dedicated to provide custom software and education solutions on Object Oriented business systems.

As an educator, Chris is certified to teach PowerBuilder (first in Canada), MS-SQLServer, Sybase’s Enterprise Application Studio and EAServer integrated application/web development environment. He is former Certified SilverStream developer (CSSD) and current Certified PowerBuilder Developer – Associate / Professional (CPD-P) as well as a Certified Sybase Tools Instructor (CSI).

Chris has written numerous articles in various popular personal computer magazines, newsletters and is the author of the PowerGuide and PowerExpert products. Currently, Chris has developed a Foundation Class library for PocketBuilder development on PDA devices using the PocketPC Operating System (similar to Microsoft’s .NET strategy). He has also developed a similar Framework for Sybase's PowerBulder and EAServer that integrates JSP or ASP web development that supports Section 508 and CLF web standards.

Chris recently became a 2nd Degree Black in the TaeKwonDo martial art and has developed a Martial Art multimedia study guide using the Component-One “Doc2Help” and Sybase PowerBuilder products. Since the fall of 2004 he became a TaeKwonDo instructor for the City of Ottawa’s Goulbourn program. He has also been certified with the World TaeKwonDo Federation (February 2005 - 1st Dan and October 2008 - 2nd Dan).

Chris was awarded the Sybase “Innovation and Achievement” award for 2005 as voted for by the International Sybase User Group (ISUG). This award was presented for innovations to the PocketBuilder mobile development product, contributions to the PowerBuilder News groups and support of the Ottawa Sybase User Group.

To round his management and leadership skills, Chris is the former president of the Kiwanis Club of Goulbourn and still volunteers his time with the service clubs in his area. He is also the coordinator of the Ottawa Sybase User group and a certified NAUI scuba instructor. For the last three years, Chris has been voted onto the ISUG Board of Directors and holds the position of "Director - North American User Groups".