Rational Software Corp. is injecting its advanced suite of testing and software development management products with Java support and turning on an online resource center for users.Rational Software Corp. is injecting its advanced suite of testing and software development management products with Java support and turning on an online resource center for users.
Included in the Rational Suite Version 2001A are two new products, due this week, Rational QualityArchitect RealTime and Rational Test RealTime.
The first works with components developed using UML (Unified Modeling Language) and automatically generates tests for those components using the Rational Rose model. It will be bundled with Rational Rose.
The other, Rational Test RealTime, automatically generates test code for non-UML components and then expresses the tests in UML. Pricing for the product is $5,495 for a node-locked license and $9,625 for a floating license.
Throughout Rational Suite Version 2001A, Rational has added support for the tools and platforms built around Java 2 Enterprise Edition. Rational puts out synchronized upgrades of its products twice a year. The suites range in price, starting at about $4,995.
Java enhancements include support for Sun Microsystems Inc.s Forte for Java tools from within ClearCase. ClearCase already supported IBMs VisualAge and WebGain Inc.s VisualCafé.
As for the companys Rational Rose model, it now supports several Java-based integrated development environments, including VisualAge, VisualCafé, Forte and Borland Software Corp.s JBuilder. The upgrade to Rose also includes an autosynchronizing capability that ensures the visual models stay in sync with the source code, as well as support for 20 of 23 design patterns for components. Rose previously allowed only reverse engineering with JSP (JavaServer Pages), while offering reverse and forward engineering for ASP (Active Server Pages). The latest version allows for reverse and forward engineering for both JSP and ASP.
Rational also included support for Java 2 Micro Edition in Rational Rose RealTime.
In addition to this upgrade, the Cupertino, Calif., company is launching an online resource for customers. The Rational Developers Network is slated to go live next month and will include design examples, software samples, source code templates and best practices, as well as Web-based training.
"Its going to be nice to have those resources in one location," said Chad Mason, a Rational customer and manager of quality assurance for Choice Hotels International Inc., in Phoenix. "You can do a quick poll [of other customers] or post a question. It just looks like a great meeting place for anybody who uses Rational tools." Mason, who has seen a sneak preview of the site, said the online training will also be helpful as travel budgets tighten.
Application Development 
