Synon: A Leader in Application Development Tools for IBM System i
Synon, once a dominant force in the software industry, was a key player in the development of third-party application tools designed for the IBM System i platform (formerly known as AS/400). At its peak, Synon revolutionized how applications were built on this IBM hardware, offering a powerful suite of tools that made development faster, more efficient, and scalable. This article explores the rise and impact of Synon, its contributions to software development, and the ongoing influence of its products in the modern landscape.
The Origins of Synon
Synon was founded in the mid-1980s and quickly became a well-known name in the world of IBM System i (AS/400) application development. The company’s vision was to create an integrated development environment (IDE) that could significantly simplify and expedite the development of business applications. This vision led to the creation of a suite of development tools that not only improved productivity but also made the development process more accessible to businesses around the world.
Synon’s key contribution was its focus on automating and streamlining the development of applications. In the context of the IBM System i, which had a unique architecture and a strong presence in business environments, Synon’s tools allowed developers to build complex applications with less code and more efficiency. The company pioneered a concept known as Architected Rapid Application Development (ARAD), a methodology that emphasized the use of pre-defined templates and components to speed up the development cycle. This approach was revolutionary at the time and allowed businesses to create applications much faster than was traditionally possible.
Synon’s Key Products and Features
At the heart of Synon’s success were its flagship products that targeted the specific needs of System i developers. Synon’s tools provided developers with an integrated environment where they could design, develop, and deploy applications with ease. These tools included:
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Synon Development Environment: Synon’s primary product was its development environment, a powerful suite of tools that allowed developers to design applications using a graphical interface. This IDE was particularly popular for creating business applications that were designed to run on the IBM System i platform.
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Data Modeling Tools: Synon also provided robust data modeling tools, which allowed developers to design the underlying database structures for their applications. These tools facilitated the creation of efficient and scalable database schemas, ensuring that applications performed optimally in production environments.
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Code Generation: One of the most revolutionary aspects of Synon’s products was its code generation capabilities. Developers could use the Synon development environment to automatically generate much of the code required for their applications. This saved time and reduced the potential for errors, making development much faster and more reliable.
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Rapid Prototyping: Synon’s tools also supported rapid prototyping, allowing developers to quickly build working models of applications. This feature enabled businesses to get feedback on their applications early in the development process, which helped ensure that the final product met the business requirements.
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Integration with IBM System i: Synon’s tools were tightly integrated with the IBM System i platform, allowing developers to leverage the full power of the hardware. This integration made it easier to create applications that were optimized for System i’s unique architecture.
The features of Synon’s products not only made development faster and more efficient but also allowed developers to create applications that were highly scalable and maintainable. As a result, Synon became an essential tool for many businesses that relied on the IBM System i platform.
Architected Rapid Application Development (ARAD)
Synon’s approach to development, called Architected Rapid Application Development (ARAD), was one of its most significant innovations. ARAD was a methodology that combined the principles of structured programming with the power of automated code generation. The goal of ARAD was to make application development faster, more efficient, and less error-prone.
The ARAD methodology emphasized the use of templates and pre-defined components that could be easily customized to suit specific business requirements. This approach allowed businesses to develop applications in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional development methods. By automating much of the coding process, ARAD also reduced the risk of introducing bugs and other errors, which was a common problem in manual coding.
ARAD also promoted the idea of reusable code. By creating components that could be reused across different applications, businesses could further reduce development time and costs. This approach was particularly valuable in industries where businesses needed to develop multiple applications with similar functionality.
Synon’s ARAD methodology had a profound impact on how software development was viewed in the industry. It was an early precursor to modern agile development methodologies and influenced many of the tools and practices that are used in today’s software development landscape.
Synon’s Impact on the IBM System i Community
Synon’s influence on the IBM System i community cannot be overstated. Its tools played a central role in the development of thousands of business-critical applications. By providing an environment where developers could quickly build robust applications, Synon helped businesses maximize the value of their investments in the IBM System i platform.
The company’s impact extended beyond just its products. Synon became a central figure in the System i developer community, providing training, support, and resources to developers around the world. This support network helped foster a sense of community and collaboration among System i developers, which contributed to the continued success of the platform.
Even after Synon was acquired by Computer Associates (now CA Inc.) in the early 2000s, its products and methodologies continued to play a crucial role in the System i ecosystem. CA Inc. continued to support and distribute Synon’s products, ensuring that businesses still had access to the tools that had made Synon famous.
The Acquisition by CA Inc. and Legacy
In 2000, Synon was acquired by CA Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software solutions. This acquisition marked the end of Synon as an independent company, but it ensured that its products would continue to be available to businesses around the world. Under the ownership of CA Inc., Synon’s tools were integrated into CA’s broader portfolio of enterprise software solutions.
Despite the changes brought about by the acquisition, Synon’s legacy continued to influence the development of business applications for the IBM System i platform. CA Inc. continued to support Synon’s products and maintained the high level of quality and reliability that made Synon’s tools so popular in the first place.
Today, the products that Synon pioneered are still in use by many businesses that rely on the IBM System i platform. CA Inc. continues to provide support and updates for these tools, ensuring that they remain relevant in the modern era. Synon’s influence can still be seen in the tools and methodologies used by modern application developers, particularly those working in enterprise environments.
The Enduring Popularity of Synon’s Tools
Synon’s products, although no longer developed or sold under the Synon name, remain widely used in the IBM System i community. Many businesses that adopted Synon’s tools in the 1980s and 1990s continue to rely on them today, with some companies even developing new applications using the Synon environment.
The enduring popularity of Synon’s tools is a testament to their effectiveness and the impact they had on the software development industry. Even as newer technologies have emerged, Synon’s legacy lives on, with businesses continuing to rely on its products for mission-critical applications.
Conclusion
Synon’s contributions to the software development world, particularly within the context of the IBM System i platform, are immeasurable. By pioneering Architected Rapid Application Development (ARAD), Synon revolutionized how business applications were developed, making the process faster, more efficient, and less error-prone. While the company is no longer in operation as an independent entity, its legacy lives on through the tools and methodologies that continue to be used by businesses around the world.
Synon’s impact extends beyond just its products. The company played a key role in shaping the IBM System i community and fostering collaboration among developers. Even today, its tools are still widely used and supported by CA Inc., ensuring that Synon’s contributions to the world of application development will continue to be felt for many years to come.