Portfolio
A Perspective on the Application of Fourth Generation Languages in Computer Software Development
Source: Perspective Published: Feb 1988
The NCR magazine Perspective published George Schussel’s thoughts on a new generation of application development languages in 1988. Some comments from that article follow:
At present 4GLs can be identified into five different categories:
Query and reporting packages – These are typically used in the data processing department and are not suitable for updating files, but are very suitable for retrieving information from existing data bases. An example is CCA’s Imagine.
Programming-Oriented Languages – These are designed for someone who knows how to program and they serve as a replacement for COBOL. They are designed for data processing professionals and are used for building transaction and logic-intensive applications. Examples are Cognos’ PowerHouse or Cortex Corporation’s Application Factory.
Information Center 4GLs – These are human-like languages and are designed for non-data processing people. They are very effective for building personal use systems and smaller applications, but they have serious efficiency problems if used for large transaction-based systems. An example is Information Builder’s FOCUS.
COBOL System Generators –These generate COBOL but do not generate direct object code that can be executed on a computer. They have certain advantages because their COBOL code can be compiled and moved to any object computer. Examples are CGI‘s PACBASE or Pansophic’s TELON.
Decision support systems – These range from simple spreadsheets to complex multi-dimensional array based data base management systems which have simulation languages built into them and allow modeling and “what if” simulations. An example is Execucom’s IFPS.
All five are fourth generation languages, but they are all different in the functions that they are used to perform.
