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            SUN OFFERS COBOL PRODUCT FOR BUSINESS UNIX MARKET
   
SunFLASH Vol 22 #5					        October 1990 
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              Many Applications and Tools Available
 
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. --October 10, 1990-- Sun Microsystems today
expanded its offerings for the business and commercial UNIX(R) market
by introducing Sun COBOL, a distributed version of the popular business
programming language.  Based on the de facto standard for UNIX-based
COBOL, Micro Focus COBOL/2 from Micro Focus, Sun COBOL allows customers
with an installed base of COBOL applications and developers of new
business applications to take advantage of client/server computing and
the superior price/performance of Sun's SPARC(R)-based systems.

Sun also announced that a range of third-party applications are now
available for Sun COBOL, including pharmacy management and modular
accounting software packages for a variety of businesses.  In addition,
Sun said that several third-party vendors are now offering tools for
Sun COBOL such as database pre-processors, query/report writers, CASE
tools and Wang-to-Sun conversion tools.  Customers who need COBOL
integration services can work with Andersen Consulting, a Sun
commercial systems integrator experienced with Sun COBOL.

Sun COBOL is Distributed, Optimized for SPARC

Sun COBOL is the first distributed implementation of COBOL for UNIX.
In the past, both COBOL applications and the underlying data had to
reside on or be managed by a single server.  Now Sun's NetISAM(TM)
record manager is bundled with Sun COBOL to permit COBOL data files and
applications to reside independently anywhere on the network.  Because
of this feature, a Sun COBOL-based client/server solution can be
expanded incrementally as the number of users or need for processing
power grows.

Sun COBOL has been optimized for SPARC systems.  Both native SPARC code
generation and improved I/O performance are features of the product.

Sun COBOL is compatible with COBOL products offered by IBM, Data
General and Ryan-McFarland.  It is also compatible with the many other
implementations of Micro Focus COBOL, including those from Unisys,
Texas Instruments, Nixdorf and NCR.  Sun COBOL complies with all
relevant industry standards, including X/OPEN, and has the highest
rating of ANSI '85 and ANSI '74 COBOL.

A Sun-based COBOL solution is an attractive alternative to PC,
mini-computer or mainframe COBOL application development and
deployment.  COBOL developers will benefit from the multi-tasking
capabilities and windowing environment of Sun's desktop workstations.
Workgroups of COBOL application users can take advantage of Sun's
low-cost workstations connected to any of Sun's family of
high-performance SPARCservers(TM).

Pricing and Availability

Sun COBOL has three components, each sold separately:  the COBOL
compiler, which includes an on-line debugger called ANIMATOR; the
Runtime System, for cost-efficient deployment of applications; and
FORMS-2, a full-screen painter and code generator that can be used to
create custom forms.  Pricing for single-user copies of Sun COBOL
begins at $2,200 for the compiler with ANIMATOR, $440 for the Runtime
System and $330 for FORMS-2.  These products will be available by the
end of October.

Sun Microsystems, Inc., headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a
leading worldwide supplier of network-based distributed computing
systems, including professional workstations, servers and UNIX
operating system and productivity software.

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NetISAM is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.  SPARC is a registered
trademark of SPARC International.  SPARCstation and SPARCserver are
trademarks of SPARC International, licensed exclusively to Sun
Microsystems, Inc.  Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based on an
architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc.  UNIX is a registered
trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc.  All other products or
services mentioned in this document are identified by the trademarks or
service marks of their respective companies or organizations.

For reader inquiries, telephone 1-800-821-4643 outside California.
Inside California, call 1-800-821-4642.

Press Contact: Erica Vener (415) 336-3566
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