The New PL/B Web Server

Since 1980, Sunbelt has an excellent history of evolution with the PL/B language. Our first products allowed a language developed for mid-sized computers to be used on personal computers. As personal computers and operating systems matured, client server configurations became prevalent and Sunbelt was there to enhance the language as needed. Operating systems next began supporting graphical user interfaces and Sunbelt once again answered the call by providing the tools necessary to create graphical, event-driven applications. The industry then moved to thin client networking. This configuration stores all data and programs on the server and clients connect using a standard network protocol. While the client is only charged with handling the user interface, the server performs the heavy computational and IO requirements of the programs.

And now Sunbelt embarks on a new level of transparency in the client server technology. Rather that using a proprietary client, a myriad of devices can now access the server and execute programs with no special software. These devices only need to support a web browser. No other language can boast support of programs developed during the past forty years with the ability to use the latest web devices.

Thin client computing has some real advantages, as already demonstrated by our PL/B Application Server. A primary benefit is that all the data and programs are kept in a datacenter that is managed, safe, and secure. No data is stored on the client. This results in fewer points of failure and less susceptibility to theft, viruses, and malware. Deployment of PL/B Web Server applications is simple with no configuration or software installation required on the client.

As the development of this exciting new product continues, Sunbelt will be enhancing the server to support even more graphical objects than initially implemented.

Initially, the server supports Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera. A web application under development will support IOS, Android, Windows RT 8, and Fire operating systems. While many of your existing GUI screens will display on these devices, you will want to make some adjustments for different size screens or touch access. Also, the set of objects supported will be a subset of the standard Windows controls. No real knowledge of web programming is required to use the PL/B Web Server but we do provide extensions to the PL/B language that allow the implementation of custom HTML5 pages, JavaScript functions, and CSS classes for your web applications. The implementation of the PL/B GUI objects for the PL/B Web Server attempts to provide the same object features as a PLBWIN runtime. However, like any other OS environment, there are going to be differences either in the look or behavior of the objects. The PL/B Web Server is using industry standard technologies to minimize any differences that may occur. In addition, some objects will have extensions to allow custom Web application features. The PL/B Web Server will be available for the same Windows, Linux and various Unix systems that we currently support with PL/B Serve.

Beyond the server, Sunbelt also provides the tools you will need to develop web applications. The Designer has been enhanced to allow creation of the new PL/B Web Forms (PWF) that are similar to existing PLF forms. The Designer also has the capability of saving a PLF form as a PWF form. Program development, compilation, debugging, and execution are all done in the same manner to which our customers are accustomed.

Orders are now being taken and Prices start at $200.00 for a two connection system that is perfect for development. Demo copies are also available.

For more information, please call Sunbelt at 903-881-0400 or email info.scsi@sunbelt-plb.com.

About Sunbelt Computer Systems, Inc.

Sunbelt Computer Systems is the leading supplier of PL/B language products. The company is dedicated to maintaining and improving the language as a general purpose business programming language. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Tyler, Texas, Sunbelt provides PL/B language solutions to customers throughout the world.