From		: rogerb@vrdxhq.verdix.com (Roger Baker)
Newsgroups	: comp.newprod,comp.lang.ada
Subject		: Verdix Announces Ada Development System for Sun-4 and Sun-386i
Date		: 18 Apr 89 21:36:57 GMT
Sender		: usenet@mcdchg.chi.il.us
Organization	: Verdix Corporation, Chantilly,  VA

Verdix corporation announced April 10, 1989 the immediate availability 
of its Ada development environment for Sun Microsystems Sun-4(TM) and 
Sun-386i(TM) lines of technical workstations. Combined with previously 
available products for Sun-3(TM) systems, the Verdix Ada Development System 
(VADS(TM)) is now available for all Sun architectures. The availability of 
VADS for all Sun systems is a key feature of the joint technology agreement 
between Sun and Verdix announced last October.

The Sun-386i compiler was validated on November 14, 1988, making it the 
first compiler from any Ada vendor to pass version 1.10 of the Ada Compiler 
Validation Capability (ACVC). The Sun-4 compiler, for Sun-4 products based 
on SPARC(TM), Sun's open architecture RISC processor, was validated in 
February, 1989, and is the first compiler from Verdix to utilize version 6.0 
of VADS. Both compilers have completed full field testing and have been 
released for general customer availability.

The VADS software development environment includes a validated Ada compiler, 
an interactive symbolic debugging facility, source code management and 
recompilation tools, and program generation tools. VADS is used to develop 
Ada language software to be run on mainframe computers, workstations, and 
embedded microprocessors for real-time control applications.

The new products feature a number of enhancements to the standard VADS 
product. Version 6.0 of VADS running on the Sun-4 includes a new optimizing 
technology, OPTIM3, which improves code speed an average of 33% as measured 
by the "Hennesey" suite of benchmark tests. On the same set of benchmarks, 
code produced by the VADS Ada compiler executes as fast as code produced by 
C compilers available on the Sun-386i.

A new implementation of Ada tasking in VADS 6.0 provides task rendezvous 
times up to 30 times faster than in previous versions (as fast as 12 
microseconds on a Sun-4/260). A special interface of VADS with the SunView 
window interface allows communication between Ada tasks and SunView windows, 
and provides an Ada language interface to SunView program calls. Combined, 
VADS fast tasking and SunView(TM) interface provide the real-time capabilities
required for many workstation-based Ada applications.

Roger Baker, Director of Marketing for Verdix said, "Our joint technology 
agreement with Sun assures Sun customers of access to the best Ada products. 
The Sun-4 and Sun-386i are powerful processors that fit well with the 
distributed development philosophy preferred in software development 
environments. Our engineers are especially impressed with the speed of the 
Sun-4 systems."

Charlie Simmons, Director of Marketing and Program Management for Sun 
Microsystems Federal said, "The Verdix emphasis on performance complements 
the power of the Sun workstations. As substantial numbers of new systems are 
purchased by the defense community for Ada development, performance has become 
increasingly important. Powerful Sun workstations, often combined with Verdix
Ada products, are used in many Ada projects, including a number of large 
procurements. Sun is dedicated to providing the best available solutions for 
our customers."

Under the terms of the joint technology agreement between Verdix and Sun 
announced last October, Verdix and Sun are jointly developing Ada language 
products for all Sun architectures.  Other products being developed include 
a development and debug interface tailored to Sun's windowing environment, 
and integration with the Sun Network Software Environment (NSE(TM)). NSE is
Sun's networked CASE solution that provides control and management of large 
scale software development projects.

Pricing for VADS on all Sun workstations has been set at $7,500.

VERDIX Corporation is headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, with major 
software development facilities in Aloha, Oregon. It specializes in products 
to meet government and industry needs for Ada language development systems 
and secure computer networks.  Verdix is traded on the NASDAQ (Symbol: VRDX).

For more information contact:

Steve Hodges
Verdix Corporation
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
(703) 378-7600
hodges@verdix.com