Tools Plus Delivers Boost to MacOS Developers
““““““““““““““““““““““`
OAKVILLE, Ontario–July 1, 1998–Macintosh developers were given a boost
today as Water’s Edge Software announced general availability of Tools Plus
4.0 libraries and framework, a major upgrade to their premier MacOS
development tools. The newest version features major advancements in
simplifying Appearance Manager support and in easing the migration of MacOS
applications to Apple’s newly announced next-generation operating system,
MacOS X (ten).
Water’s Edge reported that Tools Plus now provides a level of Appearance
Manager programming ease that is unmatched by other tools because of
several key differentiators:
– Programmers use a single set of intuitive Tools Plus routines to
work with both the Appearance Manager’s controls and their equivalent
non-Appearance counterparts
– Existing applications can be easily updated to take advantage of the
Appearance Manager’s extended set of user interface elements and
services
– Appearance-savvy applications can automatically revert to using
standard non-Appearance interface elements when they run on a
Macintosh without an Appearance Manager
As with prior versions, Tools Plus libraries let MacOS developers create
professional-quality applications using a relatively small number of high
level routines in place of many thousands of toolbox routines. The benefit
to developers is a much shorter delivery cycle, and dramatically reduced
and simplified source code. Applications written with Tools Plus libraries
are typically compact and memory efficient, and they are especially quick
performers according to independent assessments.
In a related announcement, Water’s Edge Software disclosed that
compatibility tests using Apple Computer, Inc.’s tools and methodologies
indicate Tools Plus 4.0 libraries are an “outstanding candidate for MacOS
X” because they access virtually no APIs (Application Program Interfaces)
that are unsanctioned under MacOS X. “This is an exceptionally strong
indicator that Tools Plus was designed and built on solid foundations,”
said company president, Steve Makohin. “In many cases, MacOS X
compatibility will mean nothing more than recompiling [a MacOS application]
using the latest Tools Plus libraries.”
Shortly after their debut in 1993, Tools Plus libraries became a ZD/Net Mac
(Ziff/Davis, publishers of MacWEEK and MacUser magazines) Editors’ Choice
Libraries winner. Water’s Edge Software went on to challenge conventional
“code generator” thinking by demonstrating that Tools Plus libraries, when
combined with a capable resource editor and optionally with the Tools Plus
framework, provide many of the benefits of visual designers/code generators
without the drawback of complex and voluminous source code. Tools Plus
libraries were rated 4 stars by Macworld magazine, and they received the
distinction of being 1997 Macworld/MacTech Editors’ Choice Awards (Eddy)
finalists in the category of “Best Rapid-Development Tool.”
Tools Plus 4.0 libraries and framework are available for Metrowerks’
CodeWarrior, and for Symantec’s C/C++, THINK C/C++ and THINK Pascal
compilers. Prices range from (US) $149 for the THINK Pascal and THINK C/C++
variant (68K only), to $249 for 68K and PowerPC libraries. The Tools Plus
software developer kit (SDK) includes Tools Plus libraries (which can be
used with or without the Tools Plus framework, included), and SuperCDEFs, a
collection of world-class 3D and flat controls valued at $89. This major
upgrade is available at no cost to registered developers who purchased
Tools Plus on or after June 1, 1997.
Water’s Edge Software creates cool Macintosh development tools. They are
one of the few development tool vendors who regularly receive fan mail from
their customers. Water’s Edge Software is located at 2441 Lakeshore Road
West, Box 70022, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, L6L 6M9; Phone 1-416-219-5628;
Fax 1-905-847-1638; Email WaterEdg@interlog.com;
http://www.interlog.com/~wateredg
Press Contact:
Steve Makohin
Water’s Edge Software : Voice: 1-416-219-5628
2441 Lakeshore Rd. West #70022 : Fax: 1-905-847-1638
Oakville, Ontario : Email: WaterEdg@interlog.com
Canada, L6L 6M9 :