Clarion programming language
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Clarion is a 4GL programming language and Integrated Development Environment from Softvelocity used to program database applications. It is compatible with several database formats including all SQL, ADO, and XML, and can output to HTML, XML. plaintext, and PDF, among others. As of the time of writing (2005), Clarion is on version 6.2
Database access is simple to implement, and list box formatting can be handled with easy to use WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) formatting windows.
One of Clarion's many strong points is its use of "templates" which are used in conjunction with a code generator to produce much of the repetitive, yet time consuming code that is typically required when producing an application. An "embeditor" shows the developer the code that will be generated and embed points where the developer can enter his/her own hand-code in the context of the template generated code.
Templates are open for developers to modify to suit their needs, and the template language, though very robust, is simple to learn. This makes the possibilities of what can be done in Clarion endless. Many companies sell third party templates to extend the functionality that comes "out of the box" with the Clarion product, as does Soft Velocity itself.
Development of templates that generate Microsoft_.NET code from Clarion applications is underway at Softvelocity, which will give Clarion developers the best of both worlds: Clarion developers will be able to program with the ease and speed they're accustomed to, and will be able to provide Microsoft_.NET code to clients who just have to have projects developed in Microsoft technology.
External links
- Softvelocity (http://www.softvelocity.com/)
- Clarion Argentina (http://www.clarion.com.ar/)
- Davidson Software - Developer using Clarion (http://www.davcomm.co.za)
- Gopac SI - Clarion Solutions Provider, Mexico (http://www.gopac.com.mx)de:Clarion