Introduction to Pathmaker

About This Manual
xii 067867 Tandem Computers Incorporated
Section 1, “Introduction to Pathmaker and Pathway,” introduces some of the benefits
and features of the Pathmaker and Pathway products (including some of the features
new for this release). This section also defines Pathway terminology and components
and describes the main purpose of several related Tandem products.
Section 2, “Pathmaker Applications,” explains the architecture of applications
produced with the Pathmaker product. In addition, this section defines Pathmaker
terminology, describes the types of applications that can be created using the
Pathmaker product, and lists the types of requesters and services used for creating
each type of application.
Section 3, “Using Pathmaker—An Overview,” provides a high-level introduction to
the ways that the Pathmaker product can be used. This section illustrates the major
components of the Pathmaker product, introduces several general approaches for
successfully using the product, and suggests a formal Pathmaker application life cycle.
Details about the tasks within the suggested life cycle are provided in the Pathmaker
Programming Guide.
How to Use This
Manual
If you are new to the Pathmaker product and new to Pathway, you should read this
manual from cover to cover.
If you are new to the Pathmaker product, but are already familiar with Pathway and
other related Tandem products, you can choose to quickly scan those portions of
Section 1 that describe the products you already know. However, make sure you
understand the concept of a service and how your choice of database product affects
the creation of a Pathmaker application. Both of these topics are described in
Section 1. You should thoroughly read sections 2 and 3 for an introduction to the
Pathmaker product.
If you have used previous releases of the Pathmaker product, you already know most
of the information presented in this manual. If so, it is recommended that you consult
the New and Changed Information section of the Pathmaker Programming Guide for an
overview of the new product features and for the locations in the Pathmaker manual
set of detailed information about these features and capabilities.
Throughout this manual, whenever an important term or phrase is used for the first
time, it appears in bold-faced letters. Definitions of these important terms and phrases
can be located in the glossary.
After you have become familiar with the concepts presented in this manual, you will
be prepared to participate in the phases of a Pathmaker application development
effort. When it is time to begin these phases, use the Pathmaker Programming Guide, in
conjunction with the Pathmaker Reference Manual, to guide you through the tasks for
each phase.