What's New in Altova Software Version 2010 Release 2

On February 16, 2010, Altova introduced Version 2010 Release 2 (v2010r2) of its entire product line. Altova Software Version 2010 Release 2 (v2010r2) provides helpful new features across the product line, and most importantly, significant speed and performance enhancements for working with large XML files. Users will experience optimized loading times – up to 10 times faster – for files larger than 10 MB in Text View, and XML Schema-based validation is up to three times quicker in Text View. Users working in Grid View can experience significant speed increases, completing certain common operations (e.g., copy / paste, etc.) up to 100 times faster!

In addition, with v2010r2, native 64-bit versions of all MissionKit tools are now available. This allows Altova products to capitalize on the benefits of 64-bit operating systems such as Windows Vista 64-bit and Windows 7 64-bit, and, among other advantages, reduces limitations associated with working with very large files sized anywhere from 100 MB up to gigabyte-sized documents.**

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.

**Performance when working with large-sized files is dependent on available memory (to avoid swapping). Performance results based on Altova internal tests conducted on typical selection of larger XML file comparing Altova Software Version 2010 Release 2 products to prior versions of Altova software. Your actual results may vary.

Altova MissionKit 2010r2

The Altova MissionKit is an integrated suite of XML, database, and UML tools available at a special price. When you choose the Altova MissionKit, you'll get up to eight products for less than the price of two!*

As noted above, all four editions of the Altova MissionKit 2010 Release 2 provide significant speed and performance enhancements. In addition, all products included in the MissionKit will now be available in 64-bit versions, which provide further optimizations for working with very large files.

All new features in Altova products included in Release 2 of the MissionKit 2010 are detailed in the sections below.

* Pricing comparison is edition-specific and based on Altova MissionKit vs. two individual licenses of XMLSpy and MapForce.

New in XMLSpy 2010 Release 2

64-bit version

XMLSpy® 2010 Release 2 is now available in a native 64-bit version, allowing it to take full advantage of optimizations associated with 64-bit operating systems. This now also solves problems associated with processing very large XML files sized from 100 MB to the gigabyte range - the only limitation now is imposed by the available memory on the user’s machine.** Read more about the advantages of the 64-bit version of XMLSpy.

Optimizations for working with large files in Text and Grid Views

XMLSpy 2010r2 contains optimizations for loading very large files – 10 MB and greater – in Text View in both the 32 and 64-bit versions.** For instance, a sample 100 MB file should open about 15 times faster in r2 compared to previous product versions.

In Grid View, users can now perform certain common operations (e.g., copy/paste) on large files 10-100 times faster!

Validation against XML Schemas up to three times faster in Text View

This feature is most noticeable when working with large files, since they take longer to validate. Now, when validating an XML instance against its XML Schema in Text View, you can get results up to three times faster.

SharePoint® Server support

Organizations often implement Microsoft® SharePoint Server as, among other things, a document repository or content management system with file read/write functionality based on the WebDAV (Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning) protocol. XMLSpy has for a long time included a WebDAV client for accessing files on WebDAV-enabled servers, but now with v2010r2, XMLSpy also supports check-in/checkout/undo checkout versioning functionality on SharePoint Server.

This important functionality will greatly assist developers and IT pros working with XML-based files that are stored on SharePoint Server.

Support for Linux in generated C++ code

This often-requested feature allows you to compile and run C++ code autogenerated by XMLSpy 2010r2 on the Linux platform. Now, when you generate royalty-free program code from an XML Schema, you can choose between C#, Java, or C++, as well as an option to generate C++ for Linux.

HTTPS support for SOAP requests & debugging

The powerful SOAP client and SOAP debugger in XMLSpy 2010r2 now support HTTPS in addition to HTTP, allowing you to create SOAP requests and debug SOAP transmissions sent over HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure).

Or, if you’re already an XMLSpy user, learn more about all the new features that were added in our v2010 release in October 2009, or since your last upgrade.

New in MapForce 2010 Release 2

A new 64-bit version, several additional string functions, and even more support for working with external C# and Java code are just a few of the features that add power and flexibility to MapForce® 2010 Release 2.

64-bit version

MapForce® 2010 Release 2 is now available in a 64-bit version, allowing it to take full advantage of optimizations associated with 64-bit operating systems.

New string functions: tokenize, tokenize-regexp, tokenize-by-length

These frequently requested data processing functions allow users to split strings in mapped fields based on a substring (tokenize) or a regular expression (tokenize-regexp), or split data into chunks of equal size (tokenize-by-length).

Automatic reassignment of child connections

It's often necessary to update a mapping - when an underlying schema changes, for instance - and re-map a parent element. In cases like this, MapForce v2010r2 will now ask the user if he/she wants to automatically reassign child elements and any other descendent connections accordingly.

Automatic generation of X12 997 messages

The X12 997 functional acknowledgement message is commonly sent to confirm receipt of an EDI message or to relay a transaction error. MapForce can now be configured to automatically create a mapping from an X12 input message to a 997 message, fulfilling a common request from users working with X12 in MapForce.

Support for external C# and Java calls

MapForce v2010r2 supports the use of external C# and Java functions in mapping transformations inside MapForce (i.e., prior to or without generating code), allowing users to get an accurate preview of their mapping in the Output window.

Simplified process for adding C# and Java libraries

This new process makes it much easier to add a user's C# or Java functions to the MapForce data processing function library, by simply selecting the .NET assemblies or Java class files to import. The functions are made available for immediate use in the current mapping project.

Or, if you’re already an MapForce user, learn more about all the new features that were added in our v2010 release in October 2009, or since your last upgrade.

New in StyleVision 2010 Release 2

Multiple features and usability enhancements have been added to StyleVision® 2010 Release 2, including a new 64-bit version, additional flexibility for designing electronic form templates, and more.

64-bit version

StyleVision® 2010 Release 2 is now available in a 64-bit version, allowing it to take full advantage of optimizations associated with 64-bit operating systems.

Support for editable variables in Authentic e-Forms

This new feature adds even more flexibility to the Authentic e-Form design process by allowing StyleVision users to add variables to the design template itself, rather than needing to modify the underlying XML Schema file to provide Authentic end users with choices for displaying their data.

Keyboard shortcuts for moving layout boxes

After selecting a layout container, users can now use arrow keys to position it within their template design, or resize it using the Shift + arrow keys. This makes it even quicker and easier to manipulate fixed layout designs with close precision.

Enhanced header/footer options

In addition to being able to specify the same header and footer for every (or every other) page, users can now configure a custom header or footer for the first page in RTF and Word 2007 documents, and the first and last pages of PDF documents. This fulfills a common requirement for many publishing projects.

Support for vertical text

Support for vertical text in design templates is an often requested feature that adds flexibility to the StyleVision interface and helps users create even more eye-catching designs.

Ability to pass parameters to design fragments

It is now possible to define parameters for any design fragment that will be implemented whenever that fragment is used in a StyleVision design.

Or, if you’re already an StyleVision user, learn more about all the new features that were added in our v2010 release in October 2009, or since your last upgrade.

New in Authentic 2010 Release 2

Authentic® 2010 Release 2 introduces a new 64-bit version and support for editing variables directly within e-Form designs.

64-bit version

Authentic® 2010 Release 2 is now available in a 64-bit version, allowing it to take full advantage of optimizations associated with 64-bit operating systems.

Support for editing variables

Previous versions of Authentic have displayed data based entirely on nodes present in an underlying XML file. With this new feature the Authentic e-Form end user has additional options for how his data is displayed on the form. For example, the Authentic e-Form can now include a check box that lets Authentic users choose to display a set of data as a table or plain text, and so on.

This feature is often requested by customers and lends a whole new dimension of flexibility to Authentic e-Form design and usage.

If you’re already an Authentic user, you can learn more about all the new features that were added in our v2010 release in October 2009, or since your last upgrade.

New in UModel 2010 Release 2

64-bit version

UModel Version 2010 Release 2 is now available in a 64-bit version to run on Windows Vista 64-bit and Windows 7 64-bit systems. The 64-bit version of UModel permits installation of the Altova MissionKit for Software Architects with 64-bit versions of all Altova applications. Click here to read more about the advantages of the 64-bit version.

Support for UML 2.3

UML 2.3 is in the final ratification process by the OMG and contains numerous small refinements to classifiers, connectors, ports, and other elements. Some of these revisions will appear in diagrams, while others add new details that are displayed in the Properties helper window. UModel support for UML revision 2.3 demonstrates ongoing commitment to the latest industry-standard software modeling practices.

Enhanced sequence diagram support

Sequence diagrams created from operations in classes in existing source code can be very large, making them difficult to navigate and easily comprehend. UModel 2010r2 introduces a new feature for sequence diagram generation. Users may now select an option to automatically split large sequence diagrams into smaller ones during diagram generation.

The illustration below shows the UModel Overview window for a sequence diagram generated from an operation in a java class file. Only the small portion outlined in red is displayed at 100% in the main diagram window. As users navigate around the diagram, seeing only a small portion can make it difficult to track the logical flow of application processing.

The UModel 2010r2 sequence diagram generation dialog now introduces an option to automatically split large sequence diagrams.

These smaller sequence diagram segments are easier to analyze and can be conveniently combined into standard UML interaction overview diagrams to illustrate a more complete view of execution of the class operation.

Improved hyperlinks in HTML documentation

Hyperlinks that appear in the UML model are now displayed in HTML project documentation and link between elements and diagrams in the documentation exactly as they do in the model itself.

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.

New in DatabaseSpy 2010 Release 2

Altova’s unique multi-database query, design, and compare tool adds several new features for DatabaseSpy® 2010 Release 2.

64-bit Version

DatabaseSpy is now available in a 64-bit version to run on Windows Vista 64-bit and Windows 7 64-bit systems. The 64-bit version of DatabaseSpy may allow users to retrieve extremely large datasets or to compare contents of very large database tables.

Support for IBM iSeries 6.1

Adding to the long list of databases and database versions supported by DatabaseSpy, support for IBM’s new iSeries version 6.1 is available in DatabaseSpy 2010r2 and all other database-enabled MissionKit tools. Click here for more information about using Altova tools to work with databases, as well as the complete list of supported databases.

Option to use pure ODBC API instead of native support

This option is available when the user wants to use the pure ODBC API instead of Altova’s native support for a particular database. Altova native database support generally provides more functionality, but there may be instances when the user prefers the pure ODBC API. A convenient dialog offers access to either communication method.

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 2010 Release 2

64-bit version

DiffDog is now available in a 64-bit version to run on Windows Vista 64-bit and Windows 7 64-bit systems. The chief advantage of the 64-bit version is the ability to do file comparisons of much larger files than could previously be opened, limited only by the amount of memory installed in the user’s workstation.

Integration into Windows Explorer

This new feature in v2010r2 makes DiffDog a much more convenient tool for every day file comparisons. Users can now select two files or two folders while navigating with Windows Explorer and choose “Compare with DiffDog” from the right-click context menu to immediately launch a DiffDog comparison, saving multiple separate navigation steps.

Or, if you’re already a DiffDog user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since you last upgraded.

New in SchemaAgent 2010 Release 2

Support for WSDL 2.0

SchemaAgent is a unique, graphical tool for visualizing and managing relationships between XML instance, XML Schema, XSLT, and WSDL files.

With v2010r2, SchemaAgent now supports both WSDL 1.1 and the newest version, WSDL 2.0. This means that relationships between WSDL files of either version can be visualized and managed in the graphical SchemaAgent user interface.

SchemaAgent represents WSDL documents and other files as graphical components in its design pane, allowing you to immediately visualize and understand your XML information architecture. SchemaAgent also allows you to create and change import and include relationships between files using drag-and-drop functionality. This makes it easy to reuse existing file components to reduce errors and maximize productivity.

Or, if you’re already a SchemaAgent user, learn more about all the new features that have been added since you last upgraded.

New in AltovaXML 2010 Release 2

AltovaXML is a free XML standards processor that packages the same XSLT 1.0 and schema-aware XSLT 2.0 engine, schema-aware XQuery engine, XML validating parser, and XBRL validator that drive Altova’s industry-leading XML software – for royalty-free use in your applications.