---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash ToolTalk An Application Interoperability Solution SunFLASH Vol 35 #16 November 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- o Provides interoperability between applications in a distributed computing environment o Brings inter-application communication to distributed computing environments o Object-oriented messaging facility o Allows separate applications to cooperate and communicate with each other across a network, all transparently o Allows developers to take independent applications and have them exchange information and data seamlessly with other applications SunSoft introduces ToolTalk. ToolTalk provides inter-application communication between previously independent, self-contained software applications in a distributed computing environment. ToolTalk is a component of SunSoft's application interoperability environment. In June 1991, SunSoft introduced its first product, ToolTalk. ToolTalk provides inter-application communication between previously independent, self-contained software applications in a distributed computing environment. ToolTalk is co-packaged with OpenWindows Version 3, and is part of SunSoft's Solaris environment. ToolTalk allows applications to cooperate by requesting or providing services to other applications. Using ToolTalk, developers can write applications which transparently communicate and cooperate with other applications across the network, without having to have prior knowledge of the network or the other applications. End users gain increased productivity by having access to applications that cooperate with each other across the network. In addition, end users can customize their own environments by exchanging or selecting new applications in any combination. ToolTalk offers a solution for a wide range of markets, from EDA to CASE to personal productivity. At the time of the announcement in June, vendors endorsing the technology include Lotus Development Corp, Cadence Design Systems, Saber Software, Cadre Technologies, Interactive Development Environments (IDE), Valid and Clarity Software. More are currently evaluating. In addition, ToolTalk will be used by the CAD Framework Initiative (CFI) in its first demonstration of the Inter-Tool Communication interface at the Design Automation Conference in San Francisco the week of June 17. In this demonstration, ToolTalk is running on 5 different hardware platforms (Sun, HP, DEC, IBM and Integraph), demonstrating over 20 tools from as many vendors interoperating in any combination across hardware platforms. FEATURES AND BENEFITS --------------------- Feature Description Benefit(s) o Multicast Communication from Previously independent applications Messaging one application to can increase functionality through one or more others; interopability with other applications Procedural model of without having to change the structure communication of the applications o Object Developers define First step to thinking about objects; Messaging objects within appli- Initial investment in ToolTalk objects cation data; applica- is the first step to future distributed tions communiate about object environments these objects o Notifications Communications are Applications can leverage the and Requests either Requests functionality of other applications by (ie,"Do this for me") requesting data, processing, etc., or or Notifications of coordinate their activities with other events (ie, "I just applications, providing more complete did this") solutions to the end user o Application pplications register Transparent interoperability: Registration interest in messages Developers do not need prior & location; ToolTalk knowledge of the network, or the other delivers the messages applications with which they are to based on communicating registration End-users can then choose to use the applications which best suit their needs, and change or exchange applications without disruption in the environment. o Session and Messages are delivered Application interoperability for file scoped to applications individuals and workgroups message belonging to a single delivery user session, or to applications interested in a particular file o C language API Application developers can easily take advantage of ToolTalk functionality HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONSIDERATIONS ------------------------------------ ToolTalk will run on all SPARC platforms running OpenWindows Version 3. ToolTalk will run on all Sun SPARC platforms. ToolTalk will support SunOS 4.1.1 AVAILABILITY ------------ ToolTalk is available with OpenWindows Version 3. Developer's release currently available. FCS fourth quarter CY 1991. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.