SheerPower 4GL is a

fourth-generation programming language A fourth-generation programming language (4GL) is any computer programming language that belongs to a class of languages envisioned as an advancement upon third-generation programming languages (3GL). Each of the programming language generations ai ...

developed by ''Touch Technologies, Inc.'' SheerPower 4GL is the result of porting Touch Technologies' ''Intouch 4GL'' programming language that runs on

OpenVMS OpenVMS, often referred to as just VMS, is a multi-user, multiprocessing and virtual memory-based operating system. It is designed to support time-sharing, batch processing, transaction processing and workstation applications. Customers using Ope ...

(for

DEC Alpha Alpha (original name Alpha AXP) is a 64-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). Alpha was designed to replace 32-bit VAX complex instruction set computers ...

and

VAX VAX (an acronym for Virtual Address eXtension) is a series of computers featuring a 32-bit instruction set architecture (ISA) and virtual memory that was developed and sold by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the late 20th century. The VA ...

computers) to

Windows Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for serv ...

, launching in 2000. Downloads are free from the official SheerPower 4GL website. SheerPower 4GL is similar to the

BASIC programming language BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of General-purpose programming language, general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. Dartmouth BASIC, The original version was created by John ...

, and is easy to learn.

Features

SheerPower 4GL has several key features: It is free for hobbyists and non-profit organizations. Web scripting features make it fast and easy to develop dynamic web pages using SheerPower's BASIC-like syntax. Version 5.0 was the official release containing the syntax and logic for web scripting in SheerPower. SheerPower utilizes a "Perfect Precision Math Package" for which the patent 7149765 "Apparatus and method for precision binary numbers and numerical operations" is applied to. This precision math eliminates the rounding off errors experienced when using a floating point data type. SheerPower comes bundled with ARS – Advanced Record System database engine. ARS is a proprietary database engine also developed by Touch Technologies, Inc. TTI created the ARS engine because performance is critical in many applications. For example, ARS is over 20 times faster than

MySQL MySQL () is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). Its name is a combination of "My", the name of co-founder Michael Widenius's daughter My, and "SQL", the acronym for Structured Query Language. A relational database o ...

for shared read/write operations. Open Database Connectivity - SheerPower supports other database engines through its

ODBC In computing, Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard application programming interface (API) for accessing database management systems (DBMS). The designers of ODBC aimed to make it independent of database systems and operating systems. An ...

interface, and its own ARS engine can be accessed via ODBC in other database applications. SheerPower Internet Services (SPINS) Webserver also comes bundled with SheerPower 4GL. The SPINS Webserver comes bundled with SheerPower and was developed for simplicity in use and high-speed for performance. On a modern multi-core system, the SPINS web server can perform over 1,000 page hits per second—given enough bandwidth of course. There is also a

Common Gateway Interface In computing, Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is an interface specification that enables web servers to execute an external program, typically to process user requests. Such programs are often written in a scripting language and are commonly ref ...

(CGI) interface built into SheerPower, along with many other built-in functions designed for high-performance and increased programmer productivity.

Security

SheerPower 4GL has the following built-in security features: A SheerPower program cannot be run from any Windows Temporary folder. This stops

computer viruses A computer virus is a type of computer program that, when executed, replicates itself by modifying other computer programs and inserting its own code. If this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to be "infected" with a compu ...

written into SheerPower programs from being emailed and run when the email is opened. SheerPower does not mix data and code during database operation, which makes it impervious to

SQL injection In computing, SQL injection is a code injection technique used to attack data-driven applications, in which malicious SQL statements are inserted into an entry field for execution (e.g. to dump the database contents to the attacker). SQL inj ...

attacks.

Platforms

A binary distribution is available for Microsoft Windows NT, 2000, 2003, XP and Vista. The virtual machine can be downloaded alone for the purpose of running or programs (SheerPower source code files or deployed files with the code encrypted).

License

The software is free for non-commercial use, its terms undefined besides levels of support for business customers.

Non-profit organizations A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

and

hobbyist A hobby is considered to be a regular activity that is done for enjoyment, typically during one's leisure time. Hobbies include collecting themed items and objects, engaging in creative and artistic pursuits, playing sports, or pursuing oth ...

programmers can use the free license that comes with the download. License fees are outlined for those wanting to develop applications for commercial or business use. High-priority support packages are available. Email and web forum support is available at no charge. Sheerpower is 100% free for all uses including commercial purposes.{{Cite web, title=Sheerpower Programming Language, url=https://sheerpower.ttinet.com/, access-date=2023-10-23

References

External links

Official Site
Fourth-generation programming languages