GENESIS V is the first 5th generation CASE tool. Whether used as a total CASE solution, complete with its own methodology, or as a straightforward code generator, it is the most powerful CASE product available for AS/400.

GENESIS V is the only application generator which is an expert system. You, its user, can teach it new business rules and programming techniques continually as you use it.

A comprehensive data dictionary is provided with complete where-used and cross reference functions.

Documentation is automatic and is always complete and up to date.

GENESIS V - THE EXPERIENCED PROGRAMMER

Advanced techniques associated with the trend towards more user-friendly applications are handled simply within GENESIS V e.g.:

-cursor sensitive function
-pop-up windows
-action bars
-pull down menus
-panels with multiple subfiles (scrolling lists)

GENESIS V even understands the principles of business accounting. If you specify the accounting rules for adding a new transaction to the system (e.g. order quantity is subtracted from stock), GENESIS V will automatically deduce the rules when the transaction is deleted or changed.

GENESIS V - THE CONCISE SPECIFIER

The comprehensive data dictionary is further extended by an optional "super" dictionary, known as the Classification Dictionary. This enforces standardization and field naming consistency, as well as saving time when adding new fields to the data dictionary.

GENESIS V allows you to specify functions by responding to a questionnaire, rather than by relying on the traditional 4GL or action diagram procedural approach to the task. These non-procedural specifications are stored alongside the the data dictionary and database specifications in a relational database (known as a repository). GENESIS V is already doing what others have yet to fully define.

The benefits of a non-procedural approach have been known for many years and are uncontentious. Until GENESIS V, though, such generators were inflexible and could only carry out simple applications within fixed limitations.

GENESIS V - THE VERSATILE DESIGNER

Most CASE tools available today rely on a data-orientated approach to analysis and design. Specifications about the data required to support an application are built into the repository. These are used to draft out program code for standard functions in some form of procedural representation such as a 4GL or action diagrams. The programs are then evolved into their final state by enhancing this program code via the "language" of the tool being used.

Because GENESIS V's repository also includes the non-procedural function specifications, this methodology can be evolved even further. Instead of directly drafting out the program code, GENESIS V's Auto-Specifier drafts out the specifications of the functions. These specifications can then be evolved, if necessary, into their finished state WITHOUT FALLING BACK ON PROCEDURAL CODING TECHNIQUES.

Indeed, changes made to an automatically specified program can be fed back into the Auto-SPECIFIER as a "template", thus creating a brand new program style which can be produced AUTOMATICALLY by GENESIS V.

However, the existence of the function specification allows GENESIS V to also support the "reverse" methodology: the function-oriented approach. This allows the system designer to evolve the main functions, the input/output and the panel designs, before the database is designed and before any fields have been defined in the data dictionary.

As the fields are defined on the panels and the input/output is specified, GENESIS V maintains the data dictionary and derives the files, record layouts, keys and interfile relationships automatically. This methodology is particularly suited to Joint Application Development sessions with the user. GENESIS V further complements this approach by presenting a questionnaire which verifies the database design against the business rules.

No one methodology alone is correct. Methodology must adapt to differing circumstances such as size and complexity of project, different stages of the AD/Cycle, experience of development staff, computer literacy of user staff etc.

Furthermore, the combination of these approaches in the same CASE tool allows the adoption of the most successful methodology of all: Incremental Prototyping.

GENESIS V - THE LONG DISTANCE MAINTAINER

GENESIS V's function specification and the fact that it does not rely solely on a data-oriented approach allows it to provide the full benefits of CASE even in maintenance.

An existing application, however old and cumbersome its database design may be, can be managed, maintained and further developed through GENESIS V. Maintaining an application developed with GENESIS V is, however, even more productive.

The full benefits of a repository approach and concise where-used cross references are bound to have an enormous effect, especially for major developments involving database changes. But it is in the every day ad-hoc maintenance of an application's functions where GENESIS V scores even more impressively over its competitors.

In maintenance 95% of time is spent trying to understand what a program does already, only the remaining 5% is spent on actually doing the job.

GENESIS V's function specification enables even the most complex program to be fully understood in a few minutes by simply scanning the fixed format questionnaire responses. Even if the specification has been augmented with some procedural code, GENESIS V isolates it so that you can quickly determine its purpose.

GENESIS V's Expert System facilities guarantee that this additional layer of documentation is always accurate and up to date.

GENESIS V - THE PRODUCTIVE TEACHER

GENESIS V extends the skills of all who use it. The practical approach to database design and the powerful prototyping facilities help teach a programmer to communicate with users and to design applications. The repository approach together with the non-procedural function specification enables the business analyst to analyse, design, specify and construct an application completely, relying only on a programmer to add some very special finishing touch or to create a new program style.

GENESIS V can be learned quickly. After 3 days basic training, both programmers and analysts become significantly more productive. With 4-6 weeks experience and 5 days of advanced training, productivity gains will start to approach tenfold or more.

GENESIS V enables personnel from a technical background to leap easily and productively into the new challenges presented by AS/400 and RPG/400.

GENESIS V - THE EXPERT SYSTEM

Put simply, an expert system is just another way of programming. There are essential criteria:

i) It must be Knowledge Based; all "programming" rules which may vary or be enhanced as the "system" (in this case GENESIS V) evolves are held externally in a special database, rather than within the programs which make up the system.

ii) Any answer or output which results from the system can be traced back to the input from which it originated and to the rules which were applied to arrive at the result.

In the case of a generator the result is the source code of a program. The input is the program specification and the generator's programming statement library, and the rules describe when, where, how and why a programming statement is required.

GENESIS V - THE EFFICIENT PERFORMER

GENESIS V runs on all models of AS/400. The programs it generates require no run time modules and perform at least as well as those written conventionally. They are well commented, structured and easy to follow.

This architecture provides the additional benefits essential to the practical implementation of CASE in the real world e.g.:
If the source code of a generated program is changed (whether intentionally or unintentionally, "legally" or "illegally"), GENESIS V identifies it, audits it and, if the program is regenerated, reinstates it in the correct logical place in the new version of the program.

If you enhance the style of a program using your own in house programming expertise, you can "roll forward" this new "knowledge" into all selective future programs.

The CASE tool's authors can evolve it as fast as you, its users, can feed back your evolving requirements - together we can stay at the front of the CASE race.