FAQS

What are the key differences between Natural and NaturalONE?

Natural is a standalone programming language that runs on major platforms (Mainframe, Linux, UNIX and Windows) and includes proprietary editors for creation of programs, subprograms, data areas, character-based maps and other programmatic objects. NaturalONE is a high-productivity integrated development environment (IDE) based on open-source Eclipse that lets developers code and test applications (using the Natural language), expose Natural objects as Web services, and create rich Web interfaces. In this way NaturalONE lets the developer produce systems that not only support enterprise SOA and BPM, but also appeal to business users outside the IT group.

What products come with NaturalONE?

NaturalONE includes Natural for Eclipse, Natural for Ajax development module, EntireX for local testing and a local copy of Natural.

I already have Natural. Will I be upgraded automatically to NaturalONE?

NaturalONE is a completely new development environment and is a purchasable add-on product for current Natural customers. Customers that already own certain Natural products can upgrade for a fee.

Presumably standalone versions of Natural for Ajax and Natural for Eclipse will go away at some point and only NaturalONE will be supported. Will customers who own these products be automatically upgraded to NaturalONE? How long will support for these products continue?

For current products the maintenance policy is unchanged. The current plan is at some point to combine Natural for Ajax and Natural for Eclipse into a new product called NaturalONE Runtime. When this takes place, a defined upgrade/runtime path will be communicated.

How easy is it for a Java developer to use NaturalONE?

With as little as one week of training, NaturalONE lets skilled Java developers with no prior Natural experience modernize Natural applications in two ways. First, they can use NaturalONE to intuitively expose existing Natural programs (or objects) as Web services for consumption in an SOA. Second, they can use NaturalONE to create attractive Ajax-based user interfaces for applications that currently are accessed through Natural “green screens.” NaturalONE will easily appeal to Java programmers because the Eclipse tools and development concepts are very similar to Java.

Can I use other Eclipse open-source tools with NaturalONE?

Yes, any open-source tool that works with the Eclipse editor will work with NaturalONE.

How does NaturalONE work with my production environment?

NaturalONE source objects can be moved to production by the Natural Development Server (an additional product) or by FTP.

What platforms does NaturalONE run on?

NaturalONE is available on Windows and Linux (based on the platforms Eclipse runs on).

What if I already have Natural for Ajax or Natural Business Services or other products now in NaturalONE?

It will make it easier to use NaturalONE objects in production because you already have the runtime components (e.g. for Natural for Ajax or Natural Business Services, depending on what you own) and you are already familiar with how to use the development modules of these products which are now built in to NaturalONE.

How is NaturalONE licensed?

NaturalONE is licensed based on user seats. The runtime component for Natural for Ajax is a separate purchasable product.

For customers who own only Natural, are any other products pre-requisite for using NaturalONE?

For example, do I need to own Adabas?

NaturalONE includes its own IDE to develop and test Natural Web applications and services; if a customer wants to access Adabas from NaturalONE, an Adabas license is required. If a customer wants to access an external server from NaturalONE, a license for Natural Development Server is needed.

Do both the development and runtime components of NaturalONE support the mainframe and LUW? Can I develop on any platform and run on any other platform?

Yes, NaturalONE development—which runs under Windows or Linux—can support any target runtime platform, including the mainframe, Linux, UNIX and Windows, and even Open VMS Itanium.

Can I use NaturalONE to develop applications that will run on DB2 on the mainframe?

Yes, you can. NaturalONE understands the SQL Syntax embedded in the Natural language, and high-level 4GL statements can also be used to access databases.

Are any Java tools or components included with NaturalONE? How does a Java developer use NaturalONE?

Since NaturalONE is installed with Eclipse, the Java IDE is included. Developers need only one click to switch between NaturalONE and their familiar Java perspective.

How long will it take the typical enterprise Java developer to learn enough of the Natural language to be able to maintain previously-built Natural applications using NaturalONE? Will there be some kind of support available to help this Java developer learn better how to use NaturalONE?

Tutorials will be available for NaturalONE, as well as Eclipse “cheat sheets,” that can lead the developer through the most important steps used in maintaining and enhancing Natural applications. It should take a competent Java developer no more than one week to begin maintaining and enhancing Natural applications using NaturalONE.

Can I try out NaturalONE?

Yes! All components of the NaturalONE development toolset (including a local runtime environment for application testing) are available as a single free download from www.NaturalONE.com.