Framework (office suite)
Encyclopedia
Framework, launched in 1984, was the first office suite
to run on the PC 8086
with DOS
operating system. ValDocs
, an even earlier integrated suite, actually comparable to the original Macintosh
of 1984 and Apple Lisa
of 1982 was produced by Epson
, a complete integrated work station based on the previous Zilog Z80
processor and CP/M
operating system with GUI
and "WYSIWYG
" typography on the monitor and printing. Framework offered all this however in the first all-in-one package to run on any PC platform. It was preceded by a few months by its close rival Lotus Symphony. Unlike other integrated products Framework was not created as "plug-in" modules with similar look and feel but as a single windowing workspace representing a desktop metaphor that could manage and outline "Frames" sharing a common underlying format. The initial release included about a dozen or so frame types (identified by a FRED function, @frametype). Frame types included containers which could be filled up with other frames, empty frames which could become other type of frames based on user input, formulas embedded in them or program output targeting them, word processor
frames, flat-database
frames and spreadsheet
as well as graphic frames. Later versions included a frame type that can hold compiled executable code and the current version include an external type handled by separate applications running on the host operating system.
Framework built-in interpreter, the FRED (Frame Editor) computer language, was based on Lisp and included an Eval function. It applied to all text and frame type across the product.
Framework could be considered a predecessor to the present GUI
window metaphor
as well as integrated interpreters. The spreadsheet program was superior in its day, offering true 3D
capability, where spreadsheets could form outline which can be "opened" to reveal a separate spreadsheet as well as other frame types—a feat of sheer convenient function never again seen and further enhanced in much later versions.
Robert Carr
and Marty Mazner founded Forefront Corporation to develop Framework in 1983. In July of that year, they approached Ashton-Tate
to provide the capital
and to later market the product. Together with a team of six other individuals, Carr and company released the original Framework. The product proved successful enough that in 1985, Ashton-Tate bought Forefront, a year sooner than planned.
The original team, now working for Ashton-Tate, continued to enhance the product producing Framework II (1985), Framework III (1988), and finally in 1991, the last Ashton-Tate
's version, Framework IV. Beginning with Framework II, the company also produced Framework II Runtime and Framework II Developer's Toolkit. These products allowed application developers to create business applications using the built-in FRED programming language.
Ashton-Tate however did not aggressively market Framework compared to its mainstream dBASE
product, and it failed to gain more than a fraction of the market share needed to become a workplace standard. Lotus 1-2-3
was able to successfully capture most of the spreadsheet market and after a number of setbacks regarding Ashton-Tate
's flag product, dBASE
, Borland
bought Ashton-Tate and later sold Framework to Selections & Functions, Inc, who is still actively maintaining it. Present versions include the FrameworkPascal compiler which extend Framework with Windows API interface.
Framework works on most versions of Microsoft Windows
. Framework 7 was the last version which can be run on Windows 95/98/ME
or on DOS. Framework 8 and 9 only run on Windows XP
.
Beginning with Framework V (Framework 5) Selections and Functions gradually began to introduce new features to keep the office suite up-to-date. For example, Framework VII (Framework 7) introduced long file names, the Euro symbol and the ability to display pictures in Framework. Framework VIII (Framework 8) introduced the ability to display JPEG and .BMP files and to load such files into Framework databases. Of particular importance, all of the Selections and Functions' versions of Framework added the ability to share "cut and paste" (memory buffer data) between Windows and Framework. For detailed feature lists and screen shots see the Framework homepage listed below.
Programmers at Work (ISBN 0-914845-71-3) credits Robert Carr
as the designer and principal developer of Framework.
Office suite
In computing, an office suite, sometimes called an office software suite or productivity suite is a collection of programs intended to be used by knowledge workers...
to run on the PC 8086
X86 architecture
The term x86 refers to a family of instruction set architectures based on the Intel 8086 CPU. The 8086 was launched in 1978 as a fully 16-bit extension of Intel's 8-bit based 8080 microprocessor and also introduced segmentation to overcome the 16-bit addressing barrier of such designs...
with DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
operating system. ValDocs
Epson QX-10
The Epson QX-10 is a microcomputer running CP/M or TPM-III which was introduced in 1983. It was based on a Zilog Z80 microprocessor, running at 4 MHz, provided up to 256K of RAM organized in four switchable banks, and included a separate graphics processor chip manufactured by NEC to provide...
, an even earlier integrated suite, actually comparable to the original Macintosh
Macintosh
The Macintosh , or Mac, is a series of several lines of personal computers designed, developed, and marketed by Apple Inc. The first Macintosh was introduced by Apple's then-chairman Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984; it was the first commercially successful personal computer to feature a mouse and a...
of 1984 and Apple Lisa
Apple Lisa
The Apple Lisa—also known as the Lisa—is a :personal computer designed by Apple Computer, Inc. during the early 1980s....
of 1982 was produced by Epson
Seiko Epson
, commonly known as Epson, is a Japanese technology company and one of the world's largest manufacturers of computer printers, information and imaging related equipment...
, a complete integrated work station based on the previous Zilog Z80
Zilog Z80
The Zilog Z80 is an 8-bit microprocessor designed by Zilog and sold from July 1976 onwards. It was widely used both in desktop and embedded computer designs as well as for military purposes...
processor and CP/M
CP/M
CP/M was a mass-market operating system created for Intel 8080/85 based microcomputers by Gary Kildall of Digital Research, Inc...
operating system with GUI
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...
and "WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG is an acronym for What You See Is What You Get. The term is used in computing to describe a system in which content displayed onscreen during editing appears in a form closely corresponding to its appearance when printed or displayed as a finished product...
" typography on the monitor and printing. Framework offered all this however in the first all-in-one package to run on any PC platform. It was preceded by a few months by its close rival Lotus Symphony. Unlike other integrated products Framework was not created as "plug-in" modules with similar look and feel but as a single windowing workspace representing a desktop metaphor that could manage and outline "Frames" sharing a common underlying format. The initial release included about a dozen or so frame types (identified by a FRED function, @frametype). Frame types included containers which could be filled up with other frames, empty frames which could become other type of frames based on user input, formulas embedded in them or program output targeting them, word processor
Word processor
A word processor is a computer application used for the production of any sort of printable material....
frames, flat-database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
frames and spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
A spreadsheet is a computer application that simulates a paper accounting worksheet. It displays multiple cells usually in a two-dimensional matrix or grid consisting of rows and columns. Each cell contains alphanumeric text, numeric values or formulas...
as well as graphic frames. Later versions included a frame type that can hold compiled executable code and the current version include an external type handled by separate applications running on the host operating system.
Framework built-in interpreter, the FRED (Frame Editor) computer language, was based on Lisp and included an Eval function. It applied to all text and frame type across the product.
Framework could be considered a predecessor to the present GUI
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...
window metaphor
Window (computing)
In computing, a window is a visual area containing some kind of user interface. It usually has a rectangular shape that can overlap with the area of other windows...
as well as integrated interpreters. The spreadsheet program was superior in its day, offering true 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
capability, where spreadsheets could form outline which can be "opened" to reveal a separate spreadsheet as well as other frame types—a feat of sheer convenient function never again seen and further enhanced in much later versions.
Robert Carr
Robert Carr (Programmer)
Robert Carr is credited as the architect of GO Corporation's PenPoint OS. He was profiled in the book Programmers at Work , where he was credited as the author of Framework....
and Marty Mazner founded Forefront Corporation to develop Framework in 1983. In July of that year, they approached Ashton-Tate
Ashton-Tate
Ashton-Tate was a US based software company best known for developing the popular dBASE database application. Ashton-Tate grew from a small garage-based company to become a multinational corporation...
to provide the capital
Capital (economics)
In economics, capital, capital goods, or real capital refers to already-produced durable goods used in production of goods or services. The capital goods are not significantly consumed, though they may depreciate in the production process...
and to later market the product. Together with a team of six other individuals, Carr and company released the original Framework. The product proved successful enough that in 1985, Ashton-Tate bought Forefront, a year sooner than planned.
The original team, now working for Ashton-Tate, continued to enhance the product producing Framework II (1985), Framework III (1988), and finally in 1991, the last Ashton-Tate
Ashton-Tate
Ashton-Tate was a US based software company best known for developing the popular dBASE database application. Ashton-Tate grew from a small garage-based company to become a multinational corporation...
's version, Framework IV. Beginning with Framework II, the company also produced Framework II Runtime and Framework II Developer's Toolkit. These products allowed application developers to create business applications using the built-in FRED programming language.
Ashton-Tate however did not aggressively market Framework compared to its mainstream dBASE
DBASE
dBase II was the first widely used database management system for microcomputers. It was originally published by Ashton-Tate for CP/M, and later on ported to the Apple II and IBM PC under DOS...
product, and it failed to gain more than a fraction of the market share needed to become a workplace standard. Lotus 1-2-3
Lotus 1-2-3
Lotus 1-2-3 is a spreadsheet program from Lotus Software . It was the IBM PC's first "killer application"; its huge popularity in the mid-1980s contributed significantly to the success of the IBM PC in the corporate environment.-Beginnings:...
was able to successfully capture most of the spreadsheet market and after a number of setbacks regarding Ashton-Tate
Ashton-Tate
Ashton-Tate was a US based software company best known for developing the popular dBASE database application. Ashton-Tate grew from a small garage-based company to become a multinational corporation...
's flag product, dBASE
DBASE
dBase II was the first widely used database management system for microcomputers. It was originally published by Ashton-Tate for CP/M, and later on ported to the Apple II and IBM PC under DOS...
, Borland
Borland
Borland Software Corporation is a software company first headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, Cupertino, California and finally Austin, Texas. It is now a Micro Focus subsidiary. It was founded in 1983 by Niels Jensen, Ole Henriksen, Mogens Glad and Philippe Kahn.-The 1980s:...
bought Ashton-Tate and later sold Framework to Selections & Functions, Inc, who is still actively maintaining it. Present versions include the FrameworkPascal compiler which extend Framework with Windows API interface.
Framework works on most versions of 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...
. Framework 7 was the last version which can be run on Windows 95/98/ME
Windows 9x
Windows 9x is a generic term referring to a series of Microsoft Windows computer operating systems produced since 1995, which were based on the original and later modified Windows 95 kernel...
or on DOS. Framework 8 and 9 only run on Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
.
Beginning with Framework V (Framework 5) Selections and Functions gradually began to introduce new features to keep the office suite up-to-date. For example, Framework VII (Framework 7) introduced long file names, the Euro symbol and the ability to display pictures in Framework. Framework VIII (Framework 8) introduced the ability to display JPEG and .BMP files and to load such files into Framework databases. Of particular importance, all of the Selections and Functions' versions of Framework added the ability to share "cut and paste" (memory buffer data) between Windows and Framework. For detailed feature lists and screen shots see the Framework homepage listed below.
Programmers at Work (ISBN 0-914845-71-3) credits Robert Carr
Robert Carr (Programmer)
Robert Carr is credited as the architect of GO Corporation's PenPoint OS. He was profiled in the book Programmers at Work , where he was credited as the author of Framework....
as the designer and principal developer of Framework.