Public release of DSQL V3.0 is now available

The Genentech Scientific Computing Technology Development group is pleased to announce the release of DSQL Version 3.0. This software provides for remote database access from Macs and PCs to VMS and Unix hosts. In addition to database access limited file and remote execution capabilities are supported. DSQL V3.0 is provided free from any license fees or use restrictions other than the MIT-style "hold harmless" clause. DSQL is available via anonymous ftp from "cgl.ucsf.edu" (128.218.14.2) as /pub/dsql.3.tar.Z. The README file is provided below:

------------------------------dsql.3.README------------------------------

			DSQL - Distributed SQL
			     Version 3
			
	    Scientific Computing Technology Development Group
			   Genentech, Inc.

DSQL is a simple client/server protocol to support remote access of SQL databases. DSQL was designed to be easy to implement, yet provide most of the functionality needed to support distributed applications which require access to centralized databases. DSQL was designed in response to a perceived need at Genentech to provide graphical front-ends on Macintosh computers to our Informix relational databases running on Unix servers. As a result, the protocol is tailored to the execution of simple SQL queries resulting in textual data. Version 3 of the protocol also supports creation and access to SQL cursors.

The DSQL protocol is simple to implement, easily portable across platforms and architectures, but does not provide explicit support for some of the "tough" issues in distributed databases such as cross-machine joins, a transaction processing model, and an architecture-neutral binary data format. Version 3 of DSQL does provide the client with access to host files, and a simple facility for remote execution. In addition to some limited access to getting/setting environment variables on the host.

DSQL version 3 is distributed with 2 server implementations and four client library implementations. The API for the client libraries has been standardized, and the client code is divided into portable and architecture-specific portions. Currently servers exist for Unix/Informix and VMS/Oracle. Client implemetations exist for Unix, Macintosh, MS-DOS, and MS-Windows. In addition, a set of Hypercard XCMDs has been written allow use of the Macintosh DSQL client from Hypercard.

DSQL is NOT public domain, although Genentech provides DSQL free-of-charge and with no use restrictions. DSQL may be obtained via anonymous ftp from cgl.ucsf.edu (128.218.14.2).

				Original Authors:
					David Mischel
					Scooter Morris
					Terry Oberzeir
					Kathryn Woods

				Current DSQL Team:
					Jim Fitzgerald
					David Mischel
					Scooter Morris
					Terry Oberzier
				
				VMS/Oracle support provided by:
					Dan Lamb