PRODUCT REVIEWS

X-Designer leapfrogs platform limits

Software developers creating applications at mixed-platform IT sites often have to use multiple tools to meet the demands of different operating systems. Imperial Software's X-Designer 5.0 nicely solves this problem by blending support for Linux, other versions of Unix, Windows, and the Web into a single development tool.

This wide array of platform support leapfrogs other competitors, including Integrated Computer Solutions' (ICS') Builder Xcessory. With the growing interest in Linux, Imperial Software is right on the mark for developers loyal to Linux who prefer to use an integrated development environment. I tried out X-Designer on Caldera's OpenLinux and Red Hat's Linux with equal success.

On the deployment side of the equation, X-Designer meets and sometimes exceeds rival offerings. The product is capable of generating C, C++, Motif user interface language, Windows MFC, and Java. This support meets rival ICS' Builder Xcessory head-on and goes beyond the support for generation found in other rivals, such as Oracle's Designer/2000.

I found the setup of X-Designer on my Caldera OpenLinux and Red Hat Linux configurations to be automated and well documented. The product also includes a healthy portion of examples and tutorial materials for those less familiar with development.

X-Designer does a good job of allowing both thick and thin clients. New support for partitioning application activity flexibly between client and server works well and will be a boon for those who must support a mixture of client types.

I decided to build an order-entry application to be deployed to Windows, Unix, and Java clients. X-Designer's interface was easy to understand, and I was able to construct my application, which used an Oracle8 database, with relative ease.

During my development I was able to use many of the components that are included in X-Designer. The product also sports good support for third-party components such as OpenGL.

Two features in X-Designer were especially helpful: Fast Find and Instantly Active. The former let me jump quickly between components graphically. The latter allowed me to quickly preview my application prior to deployment.

Useful AppGuru

Another useful part of X-Designer is its AppGuru Designer. This tool helps you create interfaces as templates, save them, and reuse them. AppGuru Designer is a good match for those who like to have company- or division-specific interface standards.

Those who are particularly interested in Java and Windows support will find X-Designer well outfitted. The product supports JDK 1.0 and 1.1 and Microsoft Foundation Classes 4 and 5. And X-Designer enables easy migration of Motif applications to Java.

One portion of X-Designer reminded me a lot of the interoperability between Oracle's Designer/2000 and Developer/2000 development tools. X-Designer applications can be exported for use in the company's other development tool, Visaj, a Java-based application-development tool.

I was able to deploy my test order-entry application to my Unix, Windows, and Java clients. Tests using the application with the various clients proved successful.

X-Designer is a good match for developers who need to service multiple client platforms and types. Those who need to migrate legacy applications to the Web will also find X-Designer right on the mark. X-Designer is well worth a test drive.