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| | | What's New in the Altova Product Line? New in v2012: Support for HTML5, new Java-friendly options, MDA, and more!Version 2012On October 19, 2011 Altova introduced Software Version 2012 with support for HTML5 and CSS3 editing in XMLSpy, as well as new options for Java developers across the product line: JDBC database connectivity, native Java APIs, and more. In addition, UModel is now available in three editions, with the Enterprise Edition adding support for MDA (Model Driven Architecture). Version 2012 Service Pack 1On November 22, 2011 Altova released Service Pack 1 (SP1) of the entire Version 2012 product line. v2012 SP1 includes important bug fixes and is a free update for current Version 2012 software license holders, as well as any customer with a valid Support and Maintenance Package. Note: v2012 SP1 is a new product version (not a patch). Simply download and install your product(s) from the download page to update.  Version 2012 is a free upgrade for current customers with a valid Support and Maintenance Package Altova customers with an active Support & Maintenance Package (SMP) receive all major software upgrades and maintenance releases, in addition to priority technical support, at no additional cost during their SMP period. Customers with current SMP have received all the features below - just by downloading and installing the latest product version as soon as it’s available. Visit the Altova download page to upgrade to v2012 now. Select a link below to learn what's new in each Altova product:
Altova MissionKit 2012The Altova MissionKit is an integrated suite of XML, database, and UML tools that includes XMLSpy and other Altova tools at a special price. When you choose the Altova MissionKit, you'll get up to eight products for less than the price of two!* Multiple tools in the MissionKit now support JDBC database drivers (in addition to ADO and ODBC options), include a completely new, native Java API, and ship with new examples demonstrating use of the COM and Java APIs in various environments. These enhancements are detailed below along with the numerous other new features and updates that have been added to the Altova MissionKit 2012. Update to the Altova MissionKit 2012 or download a free, 30-day trial now. * Pricing comparison is edition-specific and based on Altova MissionKit vs. two individual licenses of XMLSpy and MapForce. New in XMLSpy 2012
HTML5 supportHTML5 is the latest version of the language for presenting information on Web pages. Version 5 includes numerous improvements that are driving its rapid adoption, including the addition of new elements that make it easier to present multimedia content such as video, audio, dynamic images, and so on, in a standardized way (i.e., without requiring separate software). This helps improve interoperability of Web pages – and Web-based apps – while increasing their sophistication. At the same time, it makes creating rich content for multiple browsers and platforms much simpler for the developer. XMLSpy has long supported HTML4 and XHTML editing, and even includes an intelligent CSS editor. Now, with Version 2012, XMLSpy introduces intelligent support for editing HTML5 code (and CSS3 stylesheets, described below). It’s easy to write code in the XMLSpy HTML5 editor, which provides context sensitive editing help in both static entry helper windows and drop-down menus that offer allowed element and attribute choices as you type. Code completion also helps speed editing and ensure closed elements.
As you’re working, the integrated Browser preview in XMLSpy lets opt to you view your HTML code and the resulting Web page side-by-side, so you can see the results of your edits immediately.
In addition to viewing the Web page in XMLSpy, you can instantly open the active file in your choice of browser. The XMLSpy Info window will list all browsers currently installed on your system, and you can manually add other applications if required.
To view a file in a particular browser, simply double click it. For example, double-clicking Google Chrome opens an instance of Chrome and loads the active HTML document.
This is much quicker than manually opening the HTML file in multiple browsers as you test compatibility. CSS3 supportThe XMLSpy CSS editor now supports CSS3 in addition to CSS2.1. Syntax coloring, context-sensitive entry helper windows and drop-down menus, screen tips, and more assist developers with writing CSS code to style their HTML pages.
Similar to working in the HTML editor, you can opt to view your CSS code and resulting HTML page side-by-side as you edit. JDBC database driver supportAs with other database-enabled MissionKit tools, XMLSpy 2012 supports JDBC drivers in addition to existing ODBC and ADO options. JDBC connections are easily configured in the Database Connection Wizard.
Java APIIn addition to the existing COM API, XMLSpy 2011 includes a new, native Java API, giving Java developers an easy way to automate XMLSpy and integrate its functionality in their applications. This adds more flexible options for developers to efficiently access XMLSpy functionality from their preferred platform. New samples for API useAs with other MissionKit tools that include a COM API and the new Java API, XMLSpy 2012 ships with code samples in JScript, C#, and Java to demonstrate how to utilize an API to automate XMLSpy from different development environments. Find in ProjectThe power of the Find in Files and Find in Schemas functionality in XMLSpy has now been extended to XMLSpy Projects: simply enter the name of files(s) you need to find, and XMLSpy will locate them instantly. This makes working with even the most complex projects that much easier and efficient.
Download a free trial of XMLSpy 2012 now. Or, if you’re already an XMLSpy user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since your last upgrade. New in MapForce 2012
Streaming reading for large filesMapForce 2012 includes new streaming reading functionality for large XML, CSV, and FLF (fixed length format) files and databases. This enhanced read feature is equivalent to the direct file output feature introduced in v2011r2. Now the MapForce built-in execution engine can read arbitrarily long input sources and create correspondingly large output streams. Users no longer have to split extremely large XML, CSV, or FLF input files into chunks for processing, and MapForce can even theoretically read an entire relational database in one pass and generate an XML or other output file in a single pass. This is an important feature for extremely large ETL (Extract/Transform/Load) applications. MapForce already has included streaming output capabilities in recent releases and the streaming input capabilities allow MapForce to perform the most demanding ETL tasks. New parse-date and parse-time functionsUsers must produce a tremendous variety of representations of date and time in data transformation projects. Sometimes an input data stream includes a value that represents only the date or only the time. These two new functions make it easier to process these formats than the existing parse-dateTime function. Visual alignment guidesComplex data mappings with many components and functions can appear very cluttered on the screen. MapForce 2012 introduces new horizontal and vertical alignment guides to help users organize a mapping as they drag elements into place.
JDBC database driver supportNow, in addition to ODBC and ADO drivers, MapForce 2012 supports JDBC database drivers for database connectivity. When the user clicks the Insert Database toolbar icon or menu selection, the database connection dialog now includes a selection for JDBC drivers.
JDBC stands for Java Database Connectivity and JDBC drivers were originally developed by database vendors to support Java programming environments. Currently, database vendors such as Oracle and IBM DB2 apply greater development resources to JDBC drivers than older ODBC connectivity models, and JDBC is the recommended driver for those databases. However, ODBC drivers continue to be supported by MapForce as in earlier releases, and the recommended connection method for accessing Microsoft database products remains ADO. Java developers who work with databases are likely to have JDBC drivers already installed on their workstations, making database mapping in MapForce much more straightforward. Users who want to compile Java code generated from MapForce database mapping projects have needed JDBC drivers even before v2012, so directly supporting JDBC drivers in MapForce 2012 simplifies configuration of working environments for ETL (Extract Transform Load) developers. New Java APIThe same features of the new Java API described above in the XMLSpy section are available in MapForce 2012, allowing Java developers to directly manipulate MapForce functionality via the Java API. New API examples for all programming languages demonstrate API functionality much more extensively than previous versions. Search in Project windowAlso as described above in the XMLSpy section, search functionality has been added to the Project window in MapForce 2012. This means users can find files contained in large, complex MapForce projects more easily. The Help in MapForce 2012 frequently refers to example files included in the MapForce Examples project. Since the MapForce Examples folder now contains over 400 individual files in multiple sub-folders, searching in the project window can often be the fastest way to find a relevant mapping example! Download a free trial of MapForce 2012 now. Or, if you’re already a MapForce user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since your last upgrade. New in StyleVision 2012
Composite StylesYou now have even more control over how output content is formatted with support for composite styles in StyleVision. In Version 2012 you can use XPath to build a composite that controls multiple style features of a single attribute. In addition, composite styles can now be applied to RTF, Word, and PDF as well as HTML and Authentic electronic forms. Simply click the XPath button at the composite style attribute in the Properties sidebar (below) to invoke the XPath dialog box.
Then you can enter the style commands in the dialog box.
Of course you can still control the appearance of content by highlighting an attribute from the Styles pane and selecting from among the options provided (e.g., background color, as shown below).
This feature is especially relevant if your XML documents already contain HTML fragments and you wish to preserve style information contained in them. The ability to use composite styles in StyleVision means that you can now use an XPath selector to extract that style information and directly use it in your output document. Assigning dynamic class values to RTF, Word, and PDF outputIn the past StyleVision users have been able to use XPath to assign class dynamically in HTML and Authentic – now this functionality has been extended to RTF, Word, and PDF as well. You could, for example, use XPath to calculate the number of days that have elapsed between the current date and the due date of an invoice generated in PDF format. If that number exceeds 30, the color of the heading could automatically change to red and its font size increase by 50%. In addition to increasing efficiency (a single XPath will apply to all output formats supported by StyleVision), the additional control provided by dynamic class assignment will allow you to design forms, reports, and Web pages with richer visual output. Choose CSS file via XPathStyleVision offers a great deal of flexibility around output formatting by supporting multiple CSS files in a single design. Now you can exert even more control through the use of XPath to select individual CSS files for output to HTML and Authentic electronic forms based on end user input or other parameters. The XPath is evaluated at the beginning of output processing so that you can easily change the appearance of the entire document – a single CSS or all CSS files associated with the design can be selected. To select the CSS file based on dynamic input, right click on the arrow next to one of the CSS files in the CSS Files section of the Design Overview and click Select One CSS File with XPath.
This will invoke the Select One CSS File with XPath dialog box, where you can specify the conditions under which the selected CSS file will be applied. Clicking the XPath button will bring up the XPath Expression dialog box.
Please note that dynamic selection of the CSS file is not supported in Authentic - the CSS is selected when the StyleVision form is opened in Authentic and cannot be changed after it is opened. The ability to control formatting with XPath at the beginning of output processing will provide even greater design flexibility, allowing you to develop more complex and interactive projects, and facilitates the automation of electronic forms in Authentic. Support for HTML5 and CSS3StyleVision 2012 now supports HTML5 and CSS3 styles. HTML output mode is selected via the same dialog box used to select Internet Explorer compatibility.
Please note that Internet Explorer 9 must be installed in order for StyleVision to support HTML5. CSS3 styles (e.g., background-size, font-stretch) can be added in the Styles or Properties entry helper window or called from an external CSS. The ability to take advantage of the enhanced styling capabilities of IE9 via HTML5 and CSS3 will provide you with even greater flexibility in designing output. JDBC database driver supportDue to the aging ODBC drivers, JDBC is now becoming the preferred universal connection method for a number of major non-Microsoft databases including Oracle and IBM DB2. StyleVision now supports JDBC drivers to make it even easier for Java developers as well as others to connect to databases. The Database Connection Wizard makes it easy to configure the JDBC connection – simply enter the connection string and select a valid JDBC driver from the dropdown to enable a connection.
JDBC support is just one of the Java-friendly capabilities new to StyleVision 2012. Java APIIn response to multiple user requests, Altova is pleased to announce the introduction of a completely revamped native Java API to our product suite. With the introduction of this new native Java API, you can write code that accesses methods and properties in StyleVision from Java applications. Java developers can now more easily automate StyleVision functionality in Java projects – without having to adapt the COM API. This provides even more flexibility for users working with Java. New samples for API useStyleVision now includes several code samples in JScript, C#, and Java that demonstrate how to utilize the Java or COM API to automate StyleVision from different development environments.
Search in Project WindowStyleVision’s robust design capabilities mean that users are developing ever more sophisticated projects with multiple folders and sub-folders. Altova has now made it easier to find files in large projects by enabling users to search in the project window– flexible search options make locating files even faster. Simply highlight the title bar in the project window and press Ctrl-F to invoke the Search dialog box.
StyleVision’s enhanced search capabilities can help you manage large and complex projects more easily. Download a free trial of StyleVision 2012 now. Or, if you’re already a StyleVision user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since your last upgrade. New in Authentic 2012
JDBC database driver supportJDBC is a highly reliable database connection used by major databases including Oracle and IBM DB2. JDBC drivers are often more current and robust than ODBC drivers and support a range of databases. Authentic forms designed in StyleVision now support database connections via JDBC drivers. Java APIWith the Java API developers can now more easily automate Authentic functionality in Java projects – without having to adapt the COM API. New samples for API useAuthentic now includes several code samples in JScript, C#, and Java that demonstrate how to utilize the Java or COM API to automate Authentic from different development environments.
Warn before execution of Authentic scriptAuthentic Desktop security has been enhanced through the addition of a warning invoked before a script executes (see below). End users are prompted to allow the scripts to run – although it is not recommended they can also alter the security settings in Authentic so that the warning is not invoked.
In order to minimize disruptions Authentic also includes a mechanism for defining trusted locations. Files accessed from a folder identified in Authentic as a trusted location will not invoke the warning.
Search in Project WindowAuthentic Desktop users may have a number of different files arranged in multiple project folders and sub-folders. Now you can search for individual forms directly from the project window. In addition, a number of search options have been added to make the process even more precise. Simply press Ctrl-F to invoke the Search dialog box.
Enhanced search capabilities make Authentic even more user friendly. Download a free trial of Authentic 2012 now. Or, if you’re already an Authentic user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since your last upgrade. New in UModel 2012
Model Driven ArchitectureModel Driven Architecture is a specific set of standards and methods for applying the UML (Unified Modeling Language) administered by the OMG (Object Management Group). In Model Driven Architecture, the UML model of a software project is considered to be a platform independent model (PIM) that can be fully described without concern for the details of any specific programming language. This development strategy allows software architects and other developers to focus exclusively on logic required by the subject domain, rather than characteristics of any programming language. In response to several user requests, UModel 2012 supports Model Driven Architecture through a new Model Transformation selection in the Project menu that supports C#, Visual Basic, Java, databases, and XSD.
A Model Driven Architecture approach to software engineering provides two primary advantages:
Model Transformation can even be applied to projects that are reverse engineered from existing source code. For instance, an existing Java application can be reverse-engineered by UModel to create a UML model that can be transformed to generate C# classes, and many other possibilities are available. Edition realignmentStarting with UModel 2012 a new entry level UModel Basic Edition is available. The UModel 2012 Basic Edition contains all the functionality previously included in UModel 2011 Professional Edition, including support for all 14 UML 2 diagram types, code generation and reverse engineering in C#, Java, and Visual Basic, generation of project documentation, and extensive teamwork support. UModel 2012 Professional Edition now includes all features formerly supported in UModel 2011 Enterprise Edition. That means UModel 2012 Professional Edition includes all the features described in the Basic Edition above, plus support for SysML, BPMN, database modeling, integration with Visual Studio and Eclipse, automatic synchronization of code and model, and much more. UModel 2012 Enterprise Edition includes all the features of the Basic Edition and the Professional Edition, plus support for Model Driven Architecture described above. JDBC database driver supportAs described above in for other Altova MissionKit tools, in addition to ODBC and ADO drivers, UModel 2012 supports JDBC database drivers for database modeling. Users who acquire UModel as part of the Altova MissionKit can be assured of consistent functionality across products. Visual alignment guidesUModel 2012 includes the same new horizontal and vertical alignment guides described in the MapForce section above. These guides permit users to quickly align elements in any UML, SysML, BPMN, or database diagram by dragging them in the drawing pane as an alternative to the Layout toolbar.
New Java APIThe same features of the new Java API described above in the XMLSpy section are available in UModel 2012, allowing Java developers to directly access the Java API. New UModel 2012 API examples demonstrate API functionality much more extensively for all programming languages. Download a free trial of UModel 2012 now! Or, if you’re already a UModel user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since you last upgraded. UML®, OMG®, Object Management Group™, and Unified Modeling Language™ are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Object Management Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. DatabaseSpy 2012
JDBC database driver supportAs described above, in addition to ODBC and ADO drivers, DatabaseSpy 2012 supports JDBC database drivers for database connections to all supported databases. Database users who already use JDBC drivers are able to get started with multiple database operations even more quickly with DatabaseSpy 2012.
Search in Project windowAlso as described above in the XMLSpy, MapForce, and StyleVision sections, search functionality has been added to the Project window in DatabaseSpy 2012. One setting in DatabaseSpy allows users to automatically add new files to DatabaseSpy projects as they are saved. When this setting activated, it can be very easy to add numerous SQL queries to a DatabaseSpy project in a short time! The new search functionality will help users find files in large, complex DatabaseSpy projects more easily. Download a free trial of DatabaseSpy 2012 now! Or, if you’re already a DatabaseSpy user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since you last upgraded. New in DiffDog 2012
FTP and HTTP servers in comparison windowsNew in DiffDog 2012, the Browse for Folder dialog that users open for Directory comparisons now includes a button labeled Switch to URL for access to FTP and HTTP servers located on the Web. All functionality available in local directory comparisons can be applied over FTP and HTTP connections (subject to user permissions) including:
This new functionality in DiffDog 2012 is especially suited for developers and IT managers who are responsible for managing network servers, or store work on them.
The File Open dialog for DiffDog 2012 file comparisons also includes the Switch to URL button, so users can open files located on FTP and HTTP servers for comparison as well. A local file can be compared with a file on a remote server, or two files on different servers can even be compared. JDBC database driver supportAs described above, in addition to ODBC and ADO drivers, DiffDog 2012 supports JDBC database drivers for database connections to all supported databases. Database users who already use JDBC drivers can get started with database structure and content comparisons even more quickly with DiffDog 2012. Download a free trial of DiffDog 2012 now! Or, if you’re already a DiffDog user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since you last upgraded.
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