Category:SOUL: Difference between revisions

The pages in this category describe the SOUL programming language, which is used to write systems and applications in Model 204. The name of the language, SOUL, may be thought of as an acronym for Simple Objective User Language, which alludes to some of the language's essential features: Most significantly, it offers all of the benefits and features of the object oriented programming model, it provides a natural fit for programmers accustomed to other contemporary object oriented languages, and it provides syntax and semantics that are carefully tailored for the manipulation of Model 204 databases, seamlessly integrated in the language.

Prior to version 7.5 of Model 204, the language used for systems and applications in Model 204 was named User Language, and a number of extensions to it were available from Sirius Software, including but not limited to object oriented features. Sirius Software was acquired by Rocket Software, and all of the Sirius products, including these extensions, are now provided by Rocket Software, either as part of the base Model 204 product, or as separately licensed products.

Starting with version 7.5 of Model 204, SOUL is available to all Model 204 customers. It is an evolving language, frequently enhanced. It contains all of the features formerly provided in User Language, together with the object oriented features provided by Sirius Software (including some, but not all, of the system classes).

Since the previous User Language and Sirius Software documentation is in the process of being combined to describe the single language, SOUL, the current documentation may contain references to "User Language" or to the "Janus SOAP User Language Interface" instead of simply to "SOUL".

In the set of pages that document SOUL, it is recommended that:

• For someone new to the language, begin with Introduction to User Language.
• For someone familiar with User Language but not the Sirius Software extensions, begin with Janus SOAP essentials.