Clarion (programming language)
Clarion is a 4GL programming language and Integrated Development Environment from Softvelocity used to program database applications. It is compatible with several database formats including all SQL, ADO, and XML, and can output to HTML, XML. plaintext, and PDF, among others. As of the time of writing (2004), Clarion is on version 6.1
One of Clarion's many strong points is its use of "templates" to code much of the repetitive, yet time consuming code that is needed behind controls. Database access is simple to implement, and list box formatting can be handled with easy to use WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) formatting windows.
Templates are open for developers to modify to suite their needs, and the template language, though very robust, is simple to learn. This makes the possibilities of what can be done in Clarion endless.
Development of templates that generate Dot Net code from Clarion applications is underway at Softvelocity, Giving Clarion developers the best of both worlds. Clarion developers will be able to program with the ease and speed they're accustomed to, and will be able to provide Dot Net code to clients who just have to have projects developed in Microsoft technology.