A: Serius is a unique development system that allows the user to create stand-alone, double-clickable applications using components called objects and functions that appear as icons on the screen. Serius works on two different levels of complexity and there is a different version for each level. Using the Programmer version (suggested retail $295), high-end Macintosh users with no programming experience can create custom applications using existing objects and functions. This is the simplest and easiest way to use Serius. The Developer version (suggested retail $495) is intended for Macintosh developers and is an extension of Programmer. It allows a developer to create new objects and functions in addition to providing the basic Programmer capability.
Q: Serius appears to be similar to a number of other “easy programming” products I've seen. How is it different?
A: Serius creates stand alone applications. There is no runtime environment and there are no auxiliary files of any kind. This differentiates Serius from most other products. Secondly, applications created using Serius run on compiled or assembled code which means efficiency in both execution time and application size. The last major difference is that you are not limited to existing features. Using the Developer version, brand new objects and functions can be added. Once these objects and functions are created, anyone can use them to create applications without worrying, knowing, or even caring about the messy details of how these objects or functions work.
Q: So, the Programmer version limits me to the objects and functions currently available.
A: Yes. Objects and functions available now as well as in the future. The object library is growing and will continue to grow. Most of the packages that we have sold thus far have been the Developer package. Hopefully this means that objects and functions from 3rd party Developers will also be available soon.
Q: How powerful is the current object library?
A: Back in August 1989 when Serius started shipping, the object library consisted mostly of objects that handled the basic user interface (i.e. windows, menus, buttons, text, etc.). Since that time more powerful objects have been introduced.
Q: What are some examples of these “more powerful objects”?
A: The Database object was released in the fall of 1989 and other power objects were released along with Serius 2.0 in April 1990. These include the Painter object, the Animation object, and Communications objects (connection, terminal, and file transfer). Other smaller useful objects have also been added. There are a total of 31 objects and almost 200 accompanying functions.
Q: Are these newer objects sold separately or do they come with the basic package?
A: The Database and Painter are included with the basic set of objects shipped with Programmer and Developer. The Animation object sells separately for $75 and the Communications objects are also sold together for $75. Other objects will range in price from approximately $25 to $95 and all registered users will be notified when new objects become available.
Q: What objects do you have lined up for the future?
A: Serius will release a Spreadsheet object Fall ’91 and a Word Publisher object in the beginning of 1992. Development progresses rapidly at Serius. A multi-dimensional spreadsheet application entitled “Serius Business” will also ship in November. It will be created entirely using Serius Programmer.
Q: What about licensing? Do I have to pay a licensing fee to Serius Corporation for the applications that I create?
A: Only a small licensing fee for the newest version of the Database (3.0). Some objects in the future will involve licensing if you intend to sell or distribute applications you create containing them. In such cases, these will be modest fees. Objects likely to involve licensing include the Word Publisher and the Spreadsheet.
Q: Why are you licensing any objects at all?
A: These larger more powerful objects are applications in themselves. For example, we will be incorporating the Spreadsheet object into our new product Serius Business which is also scheduled to ship fall of this year. Since the worksheet for Serius Business will be available to owners of our development products so that they can make other customized versions of it, we would be in competition with ourselves were we not to require some fee for the use of these power objects.
Q: So is Database 3.0 the only component in the system that requires licensing now?
A: The communications objects make use of the Macintosh Communications Toolbox. If you are planning on shipping the installation software for the Communications Toolbox and/or its associated tools with communications applications that you create (they will need the Comm Toolbox to run), then you must license them from Apple.
Q: What are the hardware requirements for Serius Programmer and Serius Developer?
A: The Serius development systems require 2 MB RAM and a hard disk. However, most of the programs that you create with Serius will run on 1 MB machines.
Q: What do you mean by most?
A: Some objects can be memory intensive (e.g. large animations or large color images). Applications that rely heavily on this kind of capability may require more memory.
Q: What kind of tech support will I have after I've purchased Serius?
A: Serius offers excellent tech support and bug fixes are free. Just call our toll free number:
(800) 876-6847
9:00 am - 5:00 pm MST.
DEVELOPER QUESTIONS
Q: Does Serius generate C or Pascal code?
A: No. Serius is not a code generator. The objects and functions used when creating an application in Serius are already compiled and/or assembled. After the application design is complete, the Serius environment collects all of these pieces of code and packages them up as a stand-alone application.
Q: Well then if no code is produced, how can I use Serius with my own code?
A. Serius is intended to serve as the final step in the application chain. With the Developer version, the user can bring in new code in the form of objects and/or functions. This involves the creation of various code resources using whatever conventional development environment that the user chooses (e.g. MPW Pascal, C, assembly or THINK Pascal, C). These new components once added to the system are no different than the already existing ones. They appear as icons and are used in the same way.
Q: What is involved when you write new objects and functions using Serius Developer?
A: To use those features of Developer, you must be familiar with conventional Macintosh programming i.e. Pascal, C, or assembly as well as the toolbox. New objects and functions are created by packaging code resources that are compiled or assembled in other conventional development systems (e.g. MPW, or THINK).
Q: Well, if I have to write my own code for objects and functions which I could do anyway apart from Serius then why should I use Serius at all?
A: The advantage is that the basic objects (i.e. windows, menus, buttons or database) that are used in almost every Macintosh program already exist as part of the system. The objects and/or functions that you would write usually deal with the specialized aspects of a given application. We experienced this ourselves when the color paint object was created. Fast development (less than a month!) was facilitated because of the support provided by the existing objects: instead of wasting time worrying about windows, buttons, menus, and so on, time was spent addressing pertinent issues of creating the object's painting features.
Q: So if I have some code that I've written for a main frame, then I could package that up as objects and functions and port it to the Mac while not having to worry about all the details of the Macintosh user interface?
A: Exactly. That would be an excellent application of the Serius Developer package.
Q: What about the speed and size of the applications created using Serius?
A: Since objects and functions are compiled and/or assembled, the application runs quickly and efficiently and occupies relatively little disk space compared to systems based on some sort of interpretation scheme. THERE IS NO INTERPRETATION IN SERIUS. Of course efficiency also depends on its creator and the architecture of Serius allows your piece of code to be as efficient as you want it to be.
Q: How much control do I have when I create new objects and functions?
A: Serius was designed to have as open an architecture as possible. Every effort was made in the design of Serius to allow developers the access that they need at the time that they need it. In fact all the existing objects produced by Serius Corporation were created independently of the Serius Programming environment. This means that we were under the same constraints in creating our objects as other 3rd party developers are in creating theirs.
Q: Do I have complete access to the toolbox?
A: Yes, but keep in mind that ultimately we are trying to avoid having to deal with routines like those in the toolbox. Such routines operate on a level that requires alot of training and experience to use them. As the object library grows, more and more capability will be available on the Serius Programmer level so that less and less direct access to the toolbox will be necessary.
Q: If I buy Programmer now, can I later upgrade to the Developer version?
A: Yes. The upgrade consists of a complete Developer package with new manuals and disks. The cost of this upgrade is the difference of price between Developer and Programmer plus $50 for the packaging costs.
