'''IMAGE''' is a database management system (DBMS) developed by Hewlett-Packard and included with the HP 3000 minicomputer from around 1972. It was the primary reason for that platform's success in the market. It was also sometimes referred to as '''IMAGE/3000''' in its initial release. A version for the HP 1000 series was released in 1976 as '''IMAGE/1000'''. Later versions were known as '''TurboIMAGE''', and '''TurboIMAGE/XL''' after the PA-RISC migration.
IMAGE is based on the network database model, in contrast to most modern systems which are based on the relational database model. A SQL (Structured Query Language) front-end processor was later added, offering users the ability to run SQL queries on existing databases. This produced '''IMAGE/SQL''', the current name.
==Overview== IMAGE consists of several utilities along with an API (referred to as "intrinsics" by the HP documentation):
* DBSCHEMA - Compile a source schema layout. The source layout describes the tables (known as SETS) and columns (known as FIELDS). * DBUTIL - Creates and performs maintenance functions on the database. * QUERY - Generalized query tool for accessing any TurboIMAGE database.
The following is a sample list of the API calls used for application development. These calls are supported by HP's compilers: COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, SPL, PASCAL and C.
* DBFIND - Locates a record. * DBGET - Retrieves a record. * DBPUT - Adds a record. * DBUPDATE - Updates a record. * DBINFO - Provides information on the structure of the database. * DBOPEN - Opens the database with a specified password to provide access rights to the application.
==History== The significant highlights of IMAGE are:
* Originally released as IMAGE/3000 around 1972 as a $10,000 option, but later included free as part of the MPE operating system. * A cut-down version was released in 1976 as IMAGE/1000, when the formerly-known-as HP 2100 series was renamed HP 1000. * Several Fourth-generation programming language products (Powerhouse, Transact, Speedware, Protos) became available from third party vendors. * New capabilities were added including the increase of storage capacity and increase of several internal limitations such as the number of SETS allowed in a database. IMAGE/3000 was renamed TurboIMAGE due to these new capabilities. * HP provided a Third Party Interface (TPI) to DISC's OMNIDEX and Bradmark's SUPERDEX products. * Bundled with the HP Precision Architecture RISC Computers along with HP ALLBASE/SQL, a Relational DBMS, on the MPE/XL operating system. * HP announced the end of life for the HP3000 which included TurboIMAGE. * Marxmeier released Eloquence which is schema and API compatible with TurboIMAGE and allows TurboIMAGE applications to run on Microsoft Windows and HP-UX. * Stromasys released an HP3000 emulator allowing TurboIMAGE applications to be run on commodity hardware.
==External links== * http://www.robelle.com/library/smugbook/image.html * [http://www.hpmuseum.net/exhibit.php?hwdoc=101 HP Computer Museum 3000 Series II Documentation] - 1976 Image manual PDF * http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1986-12.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317120533/http://www.hpl.hp.com/hpjournal/pdfs/IssuePDFs/1986-12.pdf |date=2017-03-17 }} - Hewlett-Packard Journal "Data Base Management for HP Precision Architecture Computers"
Category:Proprietary database management systems
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