PatternStream Version 2.0 and Early History

PatternStream Version 2.0

FML announced that PatternStream version 2.0 was available September 25, 2001 at the Seybold Conference in San Francisco. PatternStream version 2.0 contained a plethora of new features, functions, documentation, and support that go way beyond its original release version. This allows PatternStream to be used for a larger range of database publishing projects and makes it easier to implement solutions rapidly.

New Pattern Set File Functions

New with PatternStream Version 2.0, multiple pattern set template (PST) files can be opened at a time. Using the pattern set view, users can now have multiple database pub­lishing projects open at a time and cut and paste objects between projects allowing rapid development of new or derivative products.

New Database Access Functions

Numerous new database access functions have been added in PatternStream version 2.0. Database information can now be obtained using stored procedures as well as standard SQL and published into documents.

New select query functions have been added too to make it easier to specify how query information is ordered and grouped. An order by function has been added which allows users to specify the sort order of query results. A group by function has been added which allows users to group columns, which is especially important when publishing certain types of financial information. Additionally, query variable functions specific to the data­base engine and its associated ODBC driver can be used.
New Page Layout Options

PatternStream version 2.0 has a page grid layout system that allows the program to place images on a page algorithmically. The user can choose from a set of image placement algorithms or develop or have developed additional plug-in algorithms. This is a very important feature that allows publishers of directories and other documents to specify exact placement of advertisements and images.

New Transform Function

Some database information contains markup, spaces, codes, or other character information that needs to be converted before publishing into a document. PatternStream version 2.0 has a new transform function that allows users to convert the data into readable text and information. PatternStream also has the ability to apply formatting within each data field by parsing the raw data based on a user supplied markup table.
New Extensibility

A percentage of database publishing projects have specific mission critical requirements that must be solved on a case-by-case basis. PatternStream version 2.0 solves this problem by allowing customers or third party developers to develop extensions to provide solutions to satisfy publishing needs. Extensions can be developed as dynamic linking libraries (dll) or by using the FrameScript® scripting environment. This eliminates the need for Pattern­Stream to be modified to implement specific publishing project requirements.
New Variables

To provide additional publishing capabilities, new variable types have been added to Pat­ternStream version 2.0 including:

  • Text variables
  • Reference variables

The text variables allow long char and memo fields to be obtained and published from databases. Reference variables are used when there is a need to return the same value for more than one purpose.

New Targets

Like new variables, new targets have been added to PatternStream version 2.0 to further enhance its publishing capability. These new targets are:

  • Text frame targets
  • Marker targets
  • Variable targets
  • Anchored frame targets
  • Unanchored frame targets

Each new target type provides the capability to add new objects to a page when publishing from a database. For example, the marker target allows hypertext links and index markers to be placed at specific locations in published products. After these documents are con­verted to electronic distribution formats (e.g., PDF, HTML), these imbedded markers will work as hyperlinks.
Greater Control of the Publishing Process

In addition to the targets that have been added to publish objects within a document, a series of new targets have been added in PatternStream version 2.0 to provide control of the database publishing process. These targets are:

  • Assignment targets
  • Case targets
  • Call targets (for pattern sets used as subroutines)
  • If-then-else targets
  • List targets

These targets provide methods to assign and test variable values. For example, the call target allows pattern sets to be used as subroutines by assigning them to variables within another pattern set.

New Text Inset Capability

With PatternStream version 2.0, FrameMaker documents and numerous types of word processing file formats (i.e., RTF, Word, Word Perfect, etc.) can be imported for placement within database published documents. This allows static documents to be created in other applications and imported as needed in a database publishing project.
Image Sizing

Another new version 2.0 feature is the ability to resize images based on database informa­tion. Images can be imported and sized using the following options:

  • Adjust to column width
  • Adjust to inset width
  • Declare size
  • Import as is
Better Control of Table Output

Version 1.0 had the capability to publish tables. Version 2.0 extends that capability allow­ing very complex tables to be set up and published. This includes tables with multiple and complex straddles, shading, unique ruling, and continuation titles.

Compound Conditions

Compound conditions have been introduced with version 2.0. This allows users to build long AND and OR condition lists for publishing control.
Copy Objects

Almost any pattern set object or tree of objects can be copied in version 2.0. This permits rapid publishing project development and implementation. This feature was not available in version 1.0.

Pattern Set Printing

Version 2.0 will allow users to set up and print pattern set template files. This will allow users to view printed output of database publishing project set ups.

Documentation

The documentation available for PatternStream version 1.0 was minimal. Version 2.0 will ship with the following documentation:

  • Getting Started
  • Quick Start Guide
  • User Manual

In addition, a training manual is being developed so that third parties will be able to train internal or external customers on PatternStream.

Support

PatternStream version 1.0 did not have a standard support program. PatternStream version 2.0 comes with the following support for the period of one year after purchase:

  • Unlimited email support
  • Twelve phone support incidents not to exceed a total of eight hours. PatternStream error fixes do not count against phone incidents.
  • All documentation updates
  • All point and major releases during that period
  • Customer only web pages addressing support topics

After the first year of free support, additional yearly maintenance can be purchased as an option. If the optional yearly maintenance is not purchased, PatternStream point and major releases can be purchased separately.
In Clause Predicate

New type of predicate for use in the WHERE clause of a select query. The list of items in the in clause can be statically bound using a parameter list at the beginning of the PSET file execution or dynamically generated during the running of the PSET file using either a string template, lookup table or a string variable

PatternStream Prior Release Information

PatternStream Version 1.0 was introduced September 1, 1998 at the Seybold Conference in San Francisco. Information regarding PatternStream enhancements for minor releases before version 2.0 can be provided on request.

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 1998 - 2008 Finite Matters Ltd. All rights reserved.

PatternStream implements Patent Number 6,282,539.