Zinc Application Framework

The Zinc Application Framework is an application framework, intended for the development of cross-platform software applications with graphical user interface (GUI), using a widget toolkit.[1][2] Zinc targets both embedded (such as Wind River's VxWorks) and desktop platforms.

ZAF
Developer(s)Professional Software Associates
Written inC++
Operating systemCross-platform
TypeWidget toolkit
Websitepsa.inc

History

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In 1990 Zinc Software released its first software development package Zinc Interface Library as a tool for Borland Turbo C++.[3] This package allowed creation of text and graphics based user interface, initially only for DOS applications and since the 2.0 release also for Windows programs.[4]

In 1994 Zinc Software introduced version 4.0 of its C++ tool under Zinc Application Framework name. Zinc aimed at cross-platform development of the user interface supporting DOS, Windows, Mac and Unix.[5]

With the release of the version 5 in 1997, Zinc Software changed pricing policy and distributed "Personal Version" of the Zinc Application Framework free of charge for non-commercial use [6] - including source code and limited only by lack of technical support and distribution rights.[7]

Zinc Software was acquired in 1998 by Wind River and continued to operate as a subsidiary.[8]

In 2004 Zinc Software was sold to Professional Software Associates (PSA).[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Product Comparison, Portable GUI frameworks, Program once, port often". InfoWorld. Vol. 17, no. 6. IDG. February 6, 1995. pp. 70–72, 76–78, 80–82. ISSN 0199-6649.
  2. ^ Zimmer, M. (1996). "The H1 Data-Quality Tool-GUI Programming With A Commercial C++ Class-Library". Proceedings of the International Conference on Computing in High Energy Physics '95: 644. Bibcode:1996chep.conf..642Z. doi:10.1142/9789814447188_0117. ISBN 978-981-02-2783-8.
  3. ^ Watt, Peggy (May 21, 1990). "Third-Party Tools Announced at Borland's Turbo C++ Rollout". InfoWorld. Vol. 12, no. 21. IDG. p. 21. ISSN 0199-6649.
  4. ^ Ayre, Rick; Ayre, Sue (December 17, 1991). "Zinc Delivers a Robust Interface Library For Windows Application Development". PC Magazine. Vol. 10, no. 21. Ziff Davis. p. 75. ISSN 0888-8507.
  5. ^ Johnston, Stuart J. (August 15, 1994). "Zinc unites environments, languages with one code". Computerworld. Vol. 28, no. 33. IDG. p. 72. ISSN 0010-4841.
  6. ^ "Press Release--Zinc Announces ZAF 5" (Press release). Pleasant Grove, Utah: Zinc Software. June 20, 1997. Archived from the original on February 12, 1998. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  7. ^ Coffee, Peter (September 29, 1997). "Zinc Application Framework: A too-well-kept secret". PC Week. Archived from the original on June 5, 2001. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  8. ^ Coffee, Peter (July 6, 1998). "Wind River, Zinc to duel Win CE". PC Week. Archived from the original on April 27, 1999. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  9. ^ "PSA Press Releases, Milestones Partnering, 2004". PSA. 2006. Archived from the original on December 15, 2006. Retrieved May 25, 2018.

Further reading

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