4GL's - Development software
Deft | Informix | Progress | Sybase
Oracle

4GL Examples

Whilst we cannot pin down exactly what is a 4GL some of the "standard" 4GL's are described below.

Deft

A development tool written for the Apple Macintosh graphical environment, that enables you to;

Design an application using Data Analysis graphical tools
To design the database, structure diagrams
To analyse and design software algorithms, and
Generation tools to produce code in various "fourth generation" languages such as Oracle, and
The documentation with the system.

Probably the closest product to a "complete fourth generation tool" if you definition of a 4GL includes "encompasses all stages of the system development cycle".

Informix

A selection of languages and tools that enable a Relational database to be interrogated. Includes;

iSQL, a Standard Query Language and
r4GL a programming language enabling a higher degree of control in producing a custom application.

1st Quarter 1996: Revenues of $US200 million.

Progress

A less well know relational database based 4GL.

Sybase

1st Quarter 1996: Predicted loss of $US9 million.

Sybase.