Synergy Skills
Today’s Synergy product set is much more extensive and far-reaching than the DBL programming language upon which it was originally based, or the DIBOL language that preceded it.
While the DBL language still remains at the core of the Synergy product set, the product set itself has been expanded to include state of the art development tools, methods and techniques, inter-application communications capabilities, shared data access functionality and low level operating system integration.
CSA’s Synergy/DBL expertise encompasses the entire Synergy product set.
Synergy/DBL Programming Language
Originally developed over 35 years ago as an alternative DIBOL compatible programming language, Synergy/DBL has been continually upgraded and modernized, and today features all of the functionality and capabilities of any modern day programming language.
This mix of old and new language features, combined with ever evolving programming techniques, has resulted in a very diverse set of DBL code across the Synergy/DBL universe.
CSA has provided Synergy, DBL & DIBOL programming services since its inception in 1980. During that time we have provided custom Synergy/DBL programming services and Synergy/DBL business applications to hundreds of customers of all types and sizes. Our extensive experience with providing custom Synergy/DBL programming services, as well as our market need to continually upgrade and advance our own Synergy/DBL applications, has provided us with the skills necessary to develop, maintain and support both modern day and legacy Synergy/DBL code.
Synergy Toolkit
The Synergy Toolkit is a software development toolset that allows for the creation of event driven windowing applications across the multiple platforms supported by Synergy/DBL. The Synergy Toolkit also provides a means of developing Synergy applications that target the Windows operating system and have a true Windows look and feel.
CSA has extensive experience in developing Synergy Toolkit applications, as we have converted all of our Synergy/DBL business applications to make use of the Synergy Toolkit and run on Windows. Additionally we have developed Synergy Toolkit applications for customers operating under Windows and VMS, and have provided modifications, add-ons and support to Synergy Toolkit Windows applications that were originally developed by other parties.
CSA is also the original developer of Synergy RADPAK, a development tool that assists in the rapid development of Synergy Toolkit applications.
Synergy .Net
Synergy .Net provides a means of developing Synergy applications that utilize the Windows .Net Framework. .Net further expands the Windows development capabilities of the Synergy/DBL language by offering a wider range of Windows design alternatives.
To some extent, Synergy .Net can be viewed as a new language, as Object Orientation and a wide array of new programming capabilities have incorporated much of the command set and style of C#. However, Synergy .Net also supports the traditional Synergy/DBL language.
CSA has utilized Synergy .Net within its own business applications when Synergy .Net has better fit the design requirements for a particular Windows application or function.
Synergy xfServerPlus
Synergy xfServerPlus provides a means of creating an API (Application Program Interface) that will allow Synergy/DBL functions and subroutines to be executed from a third party application. API’s are typically used when another application provides the “front end” (user interface) to a Synergy/DBL application.
CSA’s xfServerPlus experience includes the creation of a generic API that allows third party applications to perform certain processing functions within CSA’s business applications. We have also used xfServerPlus to create a custom API that was used as part of a web interface. Additionally, we have used xfServer Plus to act as an interface between a Synergy VMS application and a Synergy Windows application, which in turn interfaced with a Windows third party product.
Synergy SQL Connect
Synergy SQL Connect provides a means of accessing extraneous databases by issuing SQL commands from within a Synergy/DBL program. SQL commands can be used to pull data from the databases, insert new records into the databases, update databases, execute stored procedures, and commit or rollback updates.
CSA has used Synergy SQL Connect in conjunction with projects that required Synergy applications to interact directly with third party databases. These projects have required both the extraction of data from the third party database, as well as the insertion and updating of data within the third party database — all from within a Synergy/DBL program.
HTTP Communications
Synergy’s HTTP interface provides a means of interfacing with both internet and intranet applications using an HTTP protocol. The Synergy program can act as either a Server or a Client for the communications. A common use of HTTP communications is to interact with a web service application.
CSA has utilized HTTP communications as means of transmitting data to a third party product in a high transaction environment. As part of that interface the responses from the third party product were evaluated in order to take the appropriate processing actions. Additionally, CSA has utilized HTTP communications for interactions with simple, publicly available, web service applications.
XML Interfaces
XML (Extensible Mark-Up Language) provides a structured means of passing complex relational data between systems. While essentially a text file, XML files must adhere to strict and often complex standards imposed by the receiving party.
CSA has created numerous applications that generate XML files in accordance with the specifications provided by the party receiving the file. We also have experience with the more difficult task of parsing data that is passed in an XML format.
Windows System Integration Methods
(Synergy Sockets, DLLs & Active-X Controls)
The Synergy/DBL language provides a means of directly accessing Windows components such as Sockets, DLLs and Active-X Controls. This allows Synergy/DBL applications to be tightly integrated with Windows products and functions that have been written in other languages.
CSA has substantial experience utilizing Synergy Sockets, DLLs and Active-X Controls within our own business applications, and within the custom applications that we have developed for our customers. We have used these functions to integrate with various Microsoft products, as well as numerous third party products. Using these Synergy/DBL integration methods, we have accessed Windows components to produce Word documents, generate maps, pop-up calculators and calendars, perform credit card validations, perform sales tax calculations, send emails, and more. Additionally, we have also created our own Active-X controls and accessed them via Synergy/DBL.
Synergy ODBC
The Synergy ODBC driver provides third party products with a means of directly accessing Synergy databases via SQL commands. Enabling ODBC access to Synergy data requires the set-up of the Synergy Repository, as well as installation and set-up of the Synergy ODBC product. Depending upon the nature of the database and the application it supports, additional programming may be required to control how data access functions are performed.
CSA’s experience with ODBC includes the set-up and configuration of our own Synergy/DBL business applications for ODBC access. This has enabled our customers to use third party products, such as Excel and Crystal Reports, to access the data in our applications on a read-only basis.