FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 1999
BLUE WORLD ANNOUNCES LASSO SERVER-SIDE JAVASCRIPT MODULE
Blue World first to Web-enable FileMaker Pro and ODBC data sources
using industry standard JavaScript. Lasso Web Data Engine first
language-independent Web application server tool.
BELLEVUE, WA – January 21, 1999 – Blue World Communications, Inc.
today announced the Lasso Server-Side JavaScript Module allowing
Lasso 3 Web Data Engine customers the ability to Web-enable and
dynamically control FileMaker Pro and ODBC data sources using
industry standard JavaScript across platforms.
“The Lasso Server-Side JavaScript Module positions Lasso technology
firmly within current and evolving industry standards,” said Blue
World president and CEO Bill Doerrfeld. “The Lasso Server-Side
JavaScript Module allows the huge installed base of JavaScript
programmers to build sophisticated database-driven Web applications
without acquiring new programming skills.”
First Language-Independent Middleware Engine
The Lasso Server-Side JavaScript Module positions Lasso technology as
the first language-independent middleware tool for dynamic
database-driven websites. Lasso’s unique database-independent,
platform-independent and now language-independent approach provides
maximum flexibility for Information Systems professionals desiring a
single middleware programming and deployment tool for enterprise
intranet and Internet publishing needs.
Developers can use JavaScript in conjunction with or independent of
the tag-based Lasso Dynamic Markup Language (LDML) and FileMaker,
Inc’s CDML.
Lasso’s unique modular architecture is the secret behind Lasso’s
ability to support different programming languages. The Lasso
Server-Side JavaScript Module marks the first major step toward
providing a language-independent Web application development and
deployment engine. Lasso technology is well poised to support other
Web languages, such as XML, as they attain critical mass or as
industry standards evolve.
“When selecting their tool of choice, a Web application developer’s
safest investment is with technology that has a history of rapid
progress and is well positioned for future advancements in line with
evolving Web standards,” said Bill Doerrfeld. “The Lasso 3 Web Data
Engine is the only tool which meets this criteria.”
Benefits of Lasso Server-Side JavaScript
Lasso Server-Side JavaScript (SSJS) provides the following benefits:
– Identical core language for both client-side and
server-side Web scripting.
– Lightweight scripting environment allows maximum
flexibility for editing without having to recompile and redeploy Web
applications as required with object-based and Java-based Web
application server tools.
– Unlike the SSJS implementation seen in Netscape’s LiveWire,
Lasso SSJS does not require the use of SQL when performing database
queries.
– Provides first and only way to use industry standard
JavaScript to Web-enable market leading FileMaker Pro databases and
ODBC-compliant data sources.
– Brings SSJS support to Lasso compatible Web servers
including Microsoft Internet Information Server, Microsoft Personal
Web Server, StarNine WebSTAR, Apple AppleShare Internet Protocol
server and Tenon WebTen among others.
– Is well positioned for support within website authoring
packages which support JavaScript.
Enhanced Controls
Via a set of Lasso JavaScript objects, Web developers can now use
familiar JavaScript with the Lasso 3 Web Data Engine to define all
Web database interaction and scripting controls including math and
string functions, session variables, arrays and more. The Lasso
Server-Side JavaScript Module provides the capabilities of LDML 3
along with the following enhancements:
– Create and maintain multiple session variables for enhanced
user tracking.
– Ability to query, hold and process results from multiple
data sources dynamically across single or multiple documents for
simplified data processing.
– Built-in support for regular expression pattern matching
including regexp and wild card patterns.
– User defined global functions and objects providing
RAM-based access to customizable and reusable JavaScript code
streamlining development while enhancing performance during
deployment.
Syntax Checker Speeds Development
The Lasso SSJS Module relies on a completely redesigned Lasso tag
parser. In addition to providing support for the server-side
JavaScript standard (SERVER) container tag, the tag parser offers
dynamic syntax checking. Incorrect or invalid LDML or LSSJS syntax is
now flagged and reported by Lasso. The syntax checker provides Web
developers with a new tool to quickly locate and correct syntax
errors saving countless hours of development.
About JavaScript
JavaScript is the leading scripting language for the Web and is used
by hundreds of thousands of programmers worldwide. Created by
Netscape Communications, JavaScript is supported in virtually all Web
browsers and website authoring programs.
JavaScript is the only Web scripting language which operates on both
the client-side and server-side. Client-side JavaScript (CSJS) has
attained critical mass as the standard Web scripting language.
Server-side JavaScript (SSJS) is identical to core JavaScript within
CSJS with additional server-side features.
JavaScript is the basis for the European Computer Manufacturers
Association (ECMA) cross-platform scripting language standard for the
Internet known as ECMA-262 (ECMAScript) and is under consideration as
a standard Internet scripting language in other standards
organizations.
Additional information about JavaScript is available at
http://developer.netscape.com/tech/javascript/index.html.
Pricing and Availability
The Lasso Server-Side JavaScript Module is immediately available as a
free public evaluation beta downloadable via the Blue World download
page at http://www.blueworld.com/blueworld/download/. The Lasso
Server-Side JavaScript Module is scheduled for release in the first
quarter of 1999. Pricing information is not available at this time.
About Blue World Communications, Inc.
Blue World Communications (http://www.blueworld.com) develops
cross-platform Internet middleware software allowing Internet and
intranet information administrators to quickly build sophisticated
database-driven Web applications. Blue World provides the Lasso 3 Web
Data Engine (http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/), the Blue World Store
(http://store.blueworld.com) and the Blue World ListSearch service
(http://listsearch.blueworld.com) in fulfillment of its mission of
“bringing business to the internet(tm).” Recently cited as the State
of Washington’s 12th fastest growing technology company, Blue World,
based in Bellevue, WA, is a privately held company founded in 1992.
Media Contact:
Sharol Hance
Blue World Communications, Inc.
425.646.0288, sharol@blueworld.com