What is NetLib for Clipper?

NetLib is a multi-faceted networking library for CA-Clipper. While it focuses on network functionality it also has many features which make it valuable even on a stand-alone system.

Why should I use NetLib when there are other shareware and even freeware network libraries out there? Why is NetLib more expensive?

NetLib, while called a "network library" is actually several libraries in one. In order to reproduce the functionality of NetLib, you would have to acquire a Netware API library, a print management library, a dynamic encryption library, a network communications library, an event-trigger library and maybe a few more!

In addition, most freeware and shareware network libraries (as well as many commercial network libraries) are created by consultants "doing the library thing on the side." Since product development and support is not their first priority, you may be in for a rude awakening when you desperately need support for your mission-critical application.

Since 1986, Communication Horizons has been dedicated to product development, support and enhancement. Don't trust your mission-critical application to anything less.

If I use NetLib, will I find many other users to "network" with?

NetLib has been around since 1986, and has over 20,000 users world-wide. You will easily find other users who may be willing to exchange their tips and tricks.

Why do I need NetLib?

If you are developing applications for use on a network it can greatly enhance the "look and feel", responsiveness and security of your application. It can improve your productivity by making difficult tasks easier and seemingly impossible tasks possible.

What if I try NetLib and decide I don't need it?

No problem. You can use it for 30 days and return it for any reason. Simply delete all NetLib files from your hard drive and destroy any applications you may have created using NetLib.

How easy is NetLib to use?

Most tasks can be accomplished with one or two lines of code. For more complex tasks (such as processing login scripts), we provide source code "snippets" which you can include in your application.

I'm already a NetLib user. Is there a new version? What is "new and improved" in it?

NetLib version 6.5, was released first quarter 1996, and includes the following new features:

• Support for NetWare 4.1 and NDS.
• "Customizable APIs"
• Support for Clipper 5.3
• Support for Windows NT Server
• Support for FiveWin or Clip4Win under Windows

How can NetLib improve the "look and feel" and responsiveness of my application?

More ways than can be listed, so here are a few examples:

• Display a personalized message (e.g., "Good Morning, Mr. Phelps") when the application starts up.
• Pop-up a list of queues to choose from when the user is ready to print.
• Log the user onto the network, create and delete drive mappings, all from within your application.
• Log an idle workstation off the network if no keyboard activity has been detected within a specified time period.
• Send broadcasts to other stations from within the application. Retrieve and display incoming broadcasts when and where you want without the annoying shell pop-up.
• Limit the number of users on the server who can simultaneously run the application.
• Examine, hold and reorder print jobs even after they have been queued.
• Determine which station has locked a record you are trying to lock.

How can NetLib make my data more secure?

NetLib's Seamless Dynamic Encryption (SDE) will allow you to encrypt files so that no one will be able to read the data unless they have the 8-byte encryption key. It is "seamless" because the source code does not change: you access encrypted files just as if they were normal files. It is "dynamic" because data is decrypted as needed only in the workstation's memory. A snooper looking at the file from another workstation, or monitoring it with a "sniffer" will always see encrypted data.

In addition, NetLib has functions that allow you to start, stop and rollback transactions using Novell's TTS (Transaction Tracking System). You need never have another corrupted data or index file!

Is it possible to "break" NetLib's encryption?

NetLib's SDE was designed to be a moderately secure scheme to keep unauthorized users and programmers from accessing data. It was not designed to foil the skilled, dedicated hacker. If you have data of an extremely sensitive nature that you believe certain people are actively trying to compromise, you should look at an extremely secure scheme such as "DES" or "PGP" encryption.

Can I use NetLib with other libraries?

Does NetLib support Windows programs created with FiveWin or Clip4Win?

The answer is "yes" for NetLib 6.5. If you have an earlier version of NetLib then you will need to upgrade.

Does NetLib support Windows 95?

NetLib 6.5 will allow you to use FiveWin or Clip4Win to create Windows 3.1 compatible products. These programs can run unchanged under Windows 95.

Can a NetLib program run in a Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or OS/2 "DOS box"?

Yes to all.

Does NetLib support NetWare 4.x, VLMs and Netware Directory Services?

The new version, NetLib 6.5, supports all versions of NetWare 2.x, 3.x and 4.x, both with NETX and VLMs.

What versions of Clipper does NetLib support?

NetLib supports Clipper 87 through 5.3.

What networks does NetLib support? Does it run only on a Novell network?

Besides supporting NetWare, NetLib includes an additional library that will support most major NetBios/Share-based networks. Included in this category are Lantastic, Banyan-Vines and Windows-for-Workgroups. Even some features that are associated with NetWare (such as semaphore locks and "who has it" queries) are implemented by NetLib for non-Novell networks. NetLib 6.5 includes expanded support for WindowsNT Server and Windows-for-Workgroups.

Does NetLib require a network?

While much of NetLib consists of network related features, a good deal of it can be used even on a stand-alone system. Examples of this are dynamic encryption and event triggers. And of course, it's often considered good programming practice to develop a stand-alone application with future expansion to a network in mind. You can incorporate network features into your stand-alone application so that if a time comes when you move to a network, your application requires minimal modifications.

Can I use NetLib to access the NetWare Bindery?

Yes.

Can Clipper applications created with NetLib be distributed?

Yes. There is no royalty for distributing executable programs. However, you may not distribute any NetLib LIB or OBJ files. If the user receiving your application needs to recompile and relink their programs, then the user should purchase their own copy of NetLib. Alternatively, you can contact Communication Horizons for volume discounts or distribution licenses.

Can NetLib be installed on a server for group use by several programmers?

Each programmer creating programs with NetLib requires an individual license. Even if you install NetLib on the server, you must purchase a license for each person using it.

I am upgrading from a very old version of NetLib. Will I still be able to use the functions I know and love?

Almost every function that was ever in NetLib is still supported in some way, even if it has been superseded. If you come across any exceptions, we will help you work around it.

Who is Communication Horizons?

In a business where companies and products seemingly come and go every month, Communication Horizons has been a fixture on the PC software landscape since 1986. Their flagship product, NetLib, was introduced in 1986, and has won either "best of" or "honorable mention" in the DataBased Advisor Readers Choice Awards every year since 1989.