Revolution (development environment)
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Template:Message box Revolution is a software development environment/multimedia authoring software in the tradition of Hypercard and is based on the MetaCard engine. Its primary focus is on providing a relatively accessible development tool set and scripting language that enable the creation of software programs that run across multiple platforms with little or no code modificaitons. The Integrated Development Environment (IDE) included with Revolution is built partly on the models created by Microsoft Visual Basic and subsequently followed by many other software development products. Revolution includes an English language-like scripting language called Transcript, a full programming language superset of the HyperCard's scripting language,Hypertalk.
If you purchase the higher-grade versions (see Versions, below), you can compile applications to run on more than one platform, including Macintosh (Classic or oS9, and OS X), Windows and Unix systems including Linux. It can also import Hypercard stacks, which require little or no modification unless they use external functions, which generally do not work in Revolution.
Revolution is designed to be an environment where non-programmers feel at ease and programmers feel not too uncomfortable (after getting used to "non-traditional" programming syntax). Like any programming language or development environment, opinions as to the degree to which those aims have been achieved vary greatly.
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Versions
The "Dreamcard" version is intended for home users/hobbyists. Applications (called "stacks") built using it require either the "Dreamcard Player" or a full copy of Revolution to run because Dreamcard does not include the Revolution compiler. The "Studio" version is more powerful, and is useful in creating professional binary applications. The Enterprise version is probably too expensive for casual users, but when compared to other similar products such as Borland's Delphi or Kylix, is priced competitively. If one wishes to develop programs on non-Microsoft platforms for cross-platform deployment, Revolution is one of a small handful of commercially supported options.
Pricing (STUB)
Dreamcard costs $99.99, Studio costs $299.99, and Enterprise costs $899.99. However, Dreamcard is available as a "10-hour trial", which provides 10 hours of execution time. Revolution Enterprise is available as a "30 days of owning" trial.
Compatibility
Revolution is derived from MetaCard's engine, so MetaCard stacks are 100% compatible with Revolution. However, the other way around is not necessarily true. HyperCard stacks can be run, but externals will only run on Macs. SuperCard stacks must be run through a converter to be upgraded to Revolution/MetaCard format.
Platforms
Revolution runs on Mac Classic, Mac OS X, Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP, and the following UNIX variants:
- FreeBSD or BSDI
- HP-UX 10.20 or later
- SGI IRIX 5.3 or later
- Linux Intel 1.2.13 ELF or later
- AIX 3.2.3 or later
- Solaris x86 2.5 or later
- SPARC Solaris 2.3 or later
- SPARC SunOS 4.1.x or later
Standalone applications written in Revolution can run on the above, as well as Windows 3.1 (with limitations).
As of this article's extension, the Dreamcard Player runs only on Windows, Mac OS (Classic or X), and Linux.
Interface
On Linux, your GNOME/XFCE/GTK+ theme will be used if you have GTK+, otherwise, a Motif look will be used. On the Mac, Appearance Manager will be used, otherwise, the Platinum look will be used. On Windows, the XP theme OR standard widgets will be used. You can preview Motif, Platinum, and Windows themes on any platform.
External Links
- Web site (http://www.runrev.com)
- http://mathfieldday.com:8080/revdocs (wiki)