---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SI Sells Specs And SPARC Software Tools All In One Package SunFLASH Vol 41 #2 May 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- SI Announces Developer's ToolChest A Programmatic Approach for Migrating to Shrinkwrap SPARC Applications MENLO PARK, Calif. -- April 28,1992 -- SPARC International (SI) today announced the availability of its Developer's ToolChest, a comprehensive set of interface specifications and tools distributed on CD-ROM for systematic migration to the SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD) 2.0. SCD 2.0, an industry-advancing specification announced earlier this month, specifies all the common stable interfaces between SPARC operating environments and applications on which platform providers, software developers and end-users can depend. SCD 2.0 is the porting target for building shrinkwrap applications for all SPARC platforms compliant with SCD 2.0. Partial Listing of ToolChest Contents: o SPARC Architecture Version 8 Manual o System V Application Binary Interface (ABI) Manual o System V Application Binary Interface, SPARC Processor Supplement o SPARC Compliance Definition (SCD 2.0) for SVR4 o System V Interface Definition (SVID) Release 3, Volumes 1-5 o Migration Guides from 9 Computing Environments to UNIX SVR4 o SPARC Migration Tool Future Quarterly Releases: o Compilers that generate SCD 2.0 code o SACT (SPARC Application Conformance Toolkit) 2.0 o Updated documents and specifications 25,000 Units Distributed in the Next 30 Days SI will aggressively distribute ToolChest media directly, and seek incremental channels through members and others. Initial distribution of the ToolChest will be to over 25,000 independent and end-user software developers. The majority (23,000) will "piggyback" distribution of SMCC and SunSoft's Migration Kits, which are tightly focused on migration from Solaris 1.0 to Solaris 2.0. SI's Developer's ToolChest offers a complementary set of developer documents and tools with a broader scope: migration to SCD 2.0 binary compatibility and SVR4 source-level compatibility. According to SI President and COO, Phil Huelson, "The Developer's ToolChest is an excellent expression of our mission to enable and promote SPARC Compliance for system hardware and software. It is a highly-leveraged medium that gives members and others equal access to both promote and distribute specifications, technologies and complete products that enable SPARC Compliant software development. "The ToolChest is likewise the ideal medium for SI to promote and distribute its only two charter-defined products: interface definitions, like SCD 2.0, and compliance tests. We're very pleased to offer the ToolChest at this historic time of broad industry migration to UNIX SVR4-based products," concluded Huelson. "This ToolChest is a very important announcement for software developers migrating SPARC applications to SCD 2.0 and SVR4" said Larry Hambly, vice president of marketing, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation. By providing the most comprehensive and easy-to-use set of specifications in the industry, SPARC International is making an important step in assuring SPARC's continuing market leadership position." SI's Programmatic Approach SI's Developer's ToolChest offers a complete program of education, documentation, migration tools (including members' software development products verified by SI to produce SCD 2.0 code) and testing tools that verify compliance with SCD 2.0. The program will include multiple releases of the ToolChest with new and enhanced products over time, and full product support services. The ToolChest has a rich educational component, which SI refers to as the "Electronic Bookshelf." Included is an array of white papers that assist software developers in the execution of a programmatic approach. One key document, "Developing Portable Binary Applications," describe all the components needed to reach compliance with SCD 2.0. The specifications include SCD 2.0 itself, and all of the related documents needed to develop SCD 2.0 applications. These are the SPARC Architecture Version 8 Manual and three products licensed by SI for distribution: the generic and SPARC processor Application Binary Interfaces, and the System V Interface Definition (SVID) Release 3, Volumes 1-5. SI has also licensed for distribution from UNIX International Migration Guides from nine different computing environments to UNIX SVR4. These include SunOS, XENIX, MS-DOS, UNIX System V, BSD, DEC VMS, DEC ULTRIX, IBM AIX and IBM Mid-Range. Also in support of the migration process, SI's SPARC Migration Tool (SMT) is included in this release. SMT is a source migration tool designed to minimize porting effort. SMT performs on-line comparison of application source code to SCD 2.0 references and recommends replacements. Other tools (in future releases) will include member products such as compilers and related software development tools. In a later release of the ToolChest SI will provide the SPARC Application Conformance ToolKit (SACT) 2.0, a suite of testing tools that check application's binary execution at run time. What the Buyer Sees Applications developed to comply with SCD 2.0, and independently verified compliant by SI test engineers can be marketed as SPARC shrinkwrap applications and branded with the SPARC Compliant trademark. The SPARC Compliant trademark tells buyers that software developed to be compliant with SCD 2.0, and verified compliant by SPARC International's testing services, will interoperate. Eliminating Waste Developers ToolChest products are key ingredients in software developers' programs to build SCD 2.0 shrinkwrap applications. By making SCD 2.0 the porting target, developers can generate a single binary version of their applications, then do the incremental work to optimize code for specific platforms. Just as important, developing a single binary for all SCD 2.0 platforms allows developers to stop the UNIX industry's current practice of porting and testing every application on every targeted platform The developer's time is left to focus on features that sell applications on a broad range of volume and high-value SPARC systems. The SCD 2.0 approach to shrinkwrap, encourages investment in product development and improvements that benefit the user. ToolChest Price and Availability The first release of the ToolChest will be available in early May. Quarterly releases will track both the evolving requirements of SPARC software developers and the evolution of SCD 2.0. Products are individually priced, with manuals and specifications ranging from $28 to $50, and $395 for the Migration Tool. A 10% discount is available to SI members. SI has created a fulfillment center to cater to developers buying ToolChest products. Floating network license keys are used to enable access to the products. To order ToolChest products and additional copies of media call (800) 453-6657 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm pst) or fax (415) 321-0268 (International 24 hours), beginning May 15, 1992. Customer Support SI supports the Developer's ToolChest products by offering three support options. SI offers free functional support for tools and documentation on the CD-ROM. Maintenance Contracts for Specific Tools is an optional contract, and offers contract holders bug fixes and minor upgrades. The third support option is the Migration Support Contract, this contract offers development experts available to assist developers in migration to SCD 2.0 and UNIX SVR4. These are available in 8 hour blocks to all ToolChest customers. To order optional Maintenance Contracts or Migration Support Contracts call the SI fulfillment hotline at (800) 453-6657. About SPARC International SPARC International (SI) was founded in 1989 as a not-for-profit service company, and is an independent association of corporations, institutions and individuals focused on developing worldwide markets for products and services based on SPARC technology. SPARC International's Mission SI's mission is to promote the design, development and application of SPARC to computer and peripheral products; establish hardware and software standards, enable compatibility across SPARC branded products; and provide, promote and protect SPARC and SPARC-related brand names. SI currently has 253 members in 18 countries. SI is headquartered in Menlo Park, California. ### SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International. SPARC Compatible, SPARC Compliant and SPARC Verified are reserved trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademarks of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. All other products are referred to herein by the trademarks as designated by the companies who market those products. ********************ToolChest Endorsements****************** SunSoft, Inc. "SPARC International's Developer's ToolChest provides software developers with a valuable set of tools to achieve the goal of a true, shrinkwrapped environment," said Michael Zadig, director of Solaris product marketing at SunSoft, Inc. "Software developers who use the Developer's ToolChest in conjunction with SunSoft's Solaris 2.0 Migration Kit will ensure the portability of their applications across SCD 2.0 compliant systems, increasing the number of shrink- wrapped applications available on the Solaris 2.0 platform." Lotus Development Corporation "We are excited about SPARC International's announced availability of its Developer's ToolChest. As the UNIX market continues its rapid growth, Lotus lauds the efforts of technology leaders in the UNIX community to unite computer manufacturers in delivering systems with a common ABI, which allows Independent Software Vendors to develop `shrinkwrap' software for all SPARC UNIX platforms," said Antonio M. Parham, Product Marketing Manager for Lotus Development Corporation's UNIX products. "SPARC International's release of its Developer's ToolChest is a notable step in this direction. It will greatly facilitate the delivery of SPARC-based computer systems, from a broad range of hardware vendors, that all comply to SCD 2.0 under UNIX SVR4. "By providing interface definitions, compliance tests, and an `electronic bookshelf' (which allows developers to read SCD 2.0 specs on-line), and by providing ways for developers to easily order SCD-related development tools and products. SPARC International has provided a `one stop shopping' environment which can potentially provide significant decreases in the time-to-market required for many important SPARC-based products." Oracle Corporation "The Developer's ToolChest is clever, and more comprehensive that most migration kits I've seen," said Roger Solin, Worldwide Product Line Manager at Oracle Corporation. "It hits the vast majority of software developers right where they need it at just the right time in the migration to SCD 2.0 and SVR4. As a member of SI's Board of Directors and a software developer committed to the SPARC Architecture, Oracle Corporation is pleased to endorse SI's approach to SCD 2.0 migration in the Developer's ToolChest." Hyundai Electronics America Axil Workstations, a division of Hyundai Electronics, an now a member of SPARC International, agrees. "We are very impressed by the completeness of the ToolChest package, and we're convinced it will offer significant benefits to developers, and ultimately, to our end users. We plan to ship the product with every workstation we sell," says Janine Rood, Product Manager for the HWS-S210, a 100% compatible 40 MHz SPARC workstation. ICL "The Developer's ToolChest is a timely collection of tools and specifications that is extremely meaningful to software developers as the push by major vendors to SVR4-based product accelerates. The Developer's ToolChest both promotes that push and leverages it to the benefit of software developers targeting SCD 2.0 and SVR4. ICL strongly endorses this key SPARC International program for the SPARC/SVR4 community," said Chris Carlin, Director of Marketing, ICL. Tatung Science & Technology, Inc. "SPARC International's introduction of ToolChest represents a major step towards educating ISVs that compliancy indeed exists across all platforms in the SPARC market," said Kam Chan, President of Tatung Science & Technology, Inc. "As a leading SPARC workstation vendor, Tatung believes that such programs are necessary for ensuring its continued success in the marketplace." UNIX International "We are pleased that UNIX International's Migration Guides will reach the hands of thousands of developers through the huge incremental distribution channel provided by SPARC International. We believe the combined efforts of UI an SI will have a significant impact on the development of UNIX shrink-wrapped software," said David I. Sandel, Vice President, Worldwide Marketing at UNIX International. UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. "We believe that the SPARC International Developer's ToolChest will provide a valuable resource for software developers who use the SPARC platform, and we are very pleased that SPARC International is providing this electronic distribution channel for the System V Interface Definition and the Application Binary Interface. The SVID and ABI provide an industry standard basis for development of SVR4 shrinkwrap applications," said Dick Hamilton, Product Manager, UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au 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.