Minisoft added new ODBC/32 functionality, to start on JDBC While it announced that the long-awaited write capability of ODBC/32 is set for April 3, Minisoft released a 1.2.0.11 version of its database middleware solution in early March that includes new functionality such as b-tree index support; date and time type item support; date functions, a GROUP BY clause; the aggregate functions AVG, COUNT, MIN, MAX and SUM; an expression in select list; name items and expressions in select list with AS clause; expressions in ORDER BY clause; the ability to use calculated items in the schema editor; SQLForeignKeys support and support for DISTINCT. Even more interesting was Minisoft’s notice that it will begin work in April on a JDBC driver for HP 3000 databases, a Java-enabled gateway to IMAGE/SQL written to the JDBC standard. That kind of access is available today using the Adager ADBC technology, a proprietary link built for performance by Advanced Network Systems Inc. Like the client-server access middleware, linking Java applications with databases will offer the classic choice of speed versus the promised compatibility in standards-based solutions. Minisoft’s project, headed up by FrontMan developer Steve Chappell, intends to deliver HP 3000 native Image access via JDBC as a companion to Minisoft’s ODBC and MiddleMan offerings. Copyright 1998 The 3000 NewsWire. All rights reserved