Graphical programming add-in for Visual Basic 6.0

Adept Scientific announces the release of SoftWIRE 2, which allows non-programmers to take advantage of the Visual Basic environment to quickly create powerful programs

Adept Scientific announces the release of SoftWIRE 2, a graphical programming add-in for Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0.

SoftWIRE, a technological breakthrough in programming tools, allows non-programmers to take advantage of the Visual Basic environment to quickly create powerful programs.

Designed originally for test and measurement applications such as data acquisition and control, SoftWIRE can be used in any application to enhance and simplify Visual Basic programming.

SoftWIRE combines the flexibility of text-based programming with the speed and ease of use of graphical alternatives - and it works alongside Visual Basic, the world's most popular programming language.

It is extremely easy to use: objects representing functions or controls are connected on the screen with simple drag-and-drop 'wires' through function and logic blocks.

Users can include custom or legacy Visual Basic routines as blocks within the application.

New SoftWIRE 2 expands existing capabilities to include advanced database, TCP/IP, arithmetic, financial and analysis functions.

Controls that interface with Microsoft Excel and Access provide seamless office application integration.

With more than 130 SoftWIRE-enabled ActiveX controls, version 2 expands SoftWIRE beyond measurement and control, into office and Web automation.

"SoftWIRE Technology is to Visual Basic what Visual Basic was to traditional BASIC.

Combining graphical and visual programming in the world's most popular programming environment makes the computer infinitely more powerful," said Ben Bailey, CEO of Massachusetts-based SoftWIRE Technology LLC.

"The reason why SoftWIRE graphical programming controls are easy to learn and use may be simply stated: I recognise it, I understand how it works, and I can wire these things together.

The entire system is based on common sense and common knowledge." This new version of SoftWIRE adds a number of significant new functions, including options to read and write Excel spreadsheets and create charts; the ability to build queries, create a database grid, and read and write from Access, Oracle or SQL databases; controls for network broadcasters and tuners and a full suit of TCP/IP communications controls; advanced arithmetic controls that provide a variety functions including statistical analysis and trigonometry computations; and serial communications controls to communicate with serial peripherals of all types.

Test and measurement engineers will be pleased to find that SoftWIRE 2 enhances its existing graphical interfaces such as the oscilloscope, strip chart and digital voltmeter, and increases the functionality of its data acquisition properties.

Additionally, new X10 controls and a periodic light/appliance timer control easily regulate or automate office and home security systems.

Many of the new controls are purely graphical, in that all properties and variables are set by modifying and colouring graphical displays.

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