2006 Wrap Up and Roadmap Update
As the year draws to a close, I want to update you on the status of the release roadmap. We've had to adjust the release schedule for "Spirit" (Win32 product family) and "Hidalgo" (.Net product family). We haven't encountered any big problems, but the integration of the code generation sub-system which interacts with virtually every component of the IDE is taking a bit longer then planned. I know the delay in the release is a disappointment (for you and for us), but on the flip side, while the integration work continues we've made good use of the additional time to focus on component level testing, and incremental integration testing. So the result is the first Beta will be significantly more stable and reliable. And with the RTM release of Vista available we found we had to make some further adjustments in the IDE to allow for the final security configuration and "data protection" model of Vista.
Current estimate puts us on a track for getting a release of Clarion 7 (Spirit) into the hands of 3rd-party vendors and additional beta testers around end of January to mid-February. Things will move quickly from that point, and we're confident for a gold release in Q1 of 2007. And the Hidalgo release is still on track to release shortly after Spirit.
Other news:
We had previously announced that the IDE design surfaces for .NET Compact Framework wouldn't be up and running until the "Blackhawk" release. Well I'm happy to report that we're ahead of schedule on that component, and the Compact Framework designer is completed.
We've also decided to provide two Clarion controls for Hidalgo; an Entry control that supports the use of Clarion pictures, so it essentially has all the functionality of the Clarion Win32 Entry control, and a LIST control which will support the Format parameter and adds some functionality missing from the base .Net List-type controls for paging events. Both controls will be a huge aid in cross-platform (Win32 / .Net) development, as well as for those porting from Win32 to .Net. And part of their value is to ensure you don't need to spend time learning new things when you don't have to, and of course your Data Dictionary Field definitions become interchangeable between Win32 and .Net.
In the meantime we'll be posting additional videos here, and we'll soon be releasing both products to ClarionMag so Dave Harms can do some in-depth tech reviews. As you'll soon see there is no part of the new IDE that doesn't have significant improvements, whether it's the source code Editor, the new Dictionary editor, or the Application Generator.
So the end of 2006 finds us with Clarion 6, arguably the most powerful and reliable version of Clarion ever shipped, and with Clarion 7 and Clarion.Net releases imminent. And as we previously stated, Clarion 6 will continue to be maintained and updated for 12 months after the gold release of Clarion 7.
From all of us at SoftVelocity,
We wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year 2007!
SoftVelocity Inc.