Compact Application Solution Language
Encyclopedia
Compact Application Solution Language (CASL) is a programming language
used to create computer programs for Palm OS
, and Microsoft Windows
desktops, laptops, and Pocket PC
s with Windows Mobile
. It is published by WAGWARE Systems, Inc., and Brainyware, LLC.
As a language, CASL is similar to Pascal
or Visual Basic
with object-oriented programming
features. The CASL software development kit
(SDK) includes a graphical user interface
(GUI) forms editor, an integrated development environment
(IDE), and a compiler
. CASL programs can either be run as interpreted applications on target devices (using a small helper binary
), or compiled directly to native code (CASLpro). One of CASL's key features is that the same source can be compiled to PalmOS, Windows, or Pocket PC with Windows Mobile, without changing the code, termed "write once, run all".
In July 2005, CASLsoft announced they were discontinuing support for CASL and releasing it as freeware
, with version 4.2 as the last official release. A month later, WAGWARE Systems, Inc. and Brainyware, LLC announced the purchase of CASL, updated the product and continue to release it as commercial software. CASL Version 4.3 was released on 3 July 2006.
In January 2007, more libraries were released to support the Janam XP20/XP30 series of barcode devices. The CASL libraries are also backward compatible with the Symbol SPT series devices.
Programming language
A programming language is an artificial language designed to communicate instructions to a machine, particularly a computer. Programming languages can be used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine and/or to express algorithms precisely....
used to create computer programs for Palm OS
Palm OS
Palm OS is a mobile operating system initially developed by Palm, Inc., for personal digital assistants in 1996. Palm OS is designed for ease of use with a touchscreen-based graphical user interface. It is provided with a suite of basic applications for personal information management...
, and Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
desktops, laptops, and Pocket PC
Pocket PC
A Pocket PC is also known by Microsoft as a 'Windows Mobile Classic device'. It is a hardware specification for a handheld-sized computer, personal digital assistant , that runs the Microsoft 'Windows Mobile Classic' operating system...
s with Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile
Windows Mobile is a mobile operating system developed by Microsoft that was used in smartphones and Pocket PCs, but by 2011 was rarely supplied on new phones. The last version is "Windows Mobile 6.5.5"; it is superseded by Windows Phone, which does not run Windows Mobile software.Windows Mobile is...
. It is published by WAGWARE Systems, Inc., and Brainyware, LLC.
As a language, CASL is similar to Pascal
Pascal (programming language)
Pascal is an influential imperative and procedural programming language, designed in 1968/9 and published in 1970 by Niklaus Wirth as a small and efficient language intended to encourage good programming practices using structured programming and data structuring.A derivative known as Object Pascal...
or Visual Basic
Visual Basic
Visual Basic is the third-generation event-driven programming language and integrated development environment from Microsoft for its COM programming model...
with object-oriented programming
Object-oriented programming
Object-oriented programming is a programming paradigm using "objects" – data structures consisting of data fields and methods together with their interactions – to design applications and computer programs. Programming techniques may include features such as data abstraction,...
features. The CASL software development kit
Software development kit
A software development kit is typically a set of software development tools that allows for the creation of applications for a certain software package, software framework, hardware platform, computer system, video game console, operating system, or similar platform.It may be something as simple...
(SDK) includes a graphical user interface
Graphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
(GUI) forms editor, an integrated development environment
Integrated development environment
An integrated development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development...
(IDE), and a compiler
Compiler
A compiler is a computer program that transforms source code written in a programming language into another computer language...
. CASL programs can either be run as interpreted applications on target devices (using a small helper binary
Binary file
A binary file is a computer file which may contain any type of data, encoded in binary form for computer storage and processing purposes; for example, computer document files containing formatted text...
), or compiled directly to native code (CASLpro). One of CASL's key features is that the same source can be compiled to PalmOS, Windows, or Pocket PC with Windows Mobile, without changing the code, termed "write once, run all".
In July 2005, CASLsoft announced they were discontinuing support for CASL and releasing it as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
, with version 4.2 as the last official release. A month later, WAGWARE Systems, Inc. and Brainyware, LLC announced the purchase of CASL, updated the product and continue to release it as commercial software. CASL Version 4.3 was released on 3 July 2006.
In January 2007, more libraries were released to support the Janam XP20/XP30 series of barcode devices. The CASL libraries are also backward compatible with the Symbol SPT series devices.