INPRISE/BORLAND LEADS LINUX CHARGE: OPEN-SOURCES INTERBASE
Challenges other database vendors to follow its lead
SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. - January 3, 2000 - Inprise Corporation (Nasdaq: INPR) today announced that it plans to jump to
the forefront of the Linux database market by open-sourcing InterBase 6, the new version of its cross-platform SQL d
atabase. Inprise plans to release InterBase in open-source form for multiple platforms, including Linux, Windows NT,
and Solaris.
"Inprise will be taking a leadership role in the Open-Source movement by releasing InterBase 6 under an open-source
license. We are taking this bold step because we believe every Linux distribution needs InterBase," said Dale Fulle
r, interim CEO and president of Inprise Corporation. "By open-sourcing InterBase, we will be unleashing a world-clas
s database for companies worldwide to develop and deploy business-critical, mobile computing, and Internet-based appl
ications for multiple platforms, including Linux, Solaris, and Windows NT. This is an amazing opportunity for Inpris
e, its customers and the Open-Source community."
"Inprise open-sourcing InterBase is a step forward for software users," said Eric S. Raymond, president of the Open S
ource Initiative. "As open-source releases of operating systems and critical middleware become the norm, Inprise's r
elease will undoubtedly raise the quality bar and customers will reap huge benefits in reliability, security, and tot
al cost of ownership."
The source code for InterBase 6 is scheduled to be published during the first part of the year 2000. The company als
o announced it plans to continue to sell and support InterBase 5.6 through normal distribution channels. Inprise pla
ns to announce further details of its roll-out plans for the InterBase open-source project on its Web site.
About InterBase 6
InterBase 6 is a powerful, high-performance cross-platform SQL database designed for business-critical, mobile comput
ing and Internet-based applications on Linux, Windows NT, Solaris, and UNIX. Since 1985, InterBase has provided techn
ologically superior relational database solutions to meet the business-critical database needs of companies like Moto
rola, Nokia, MCI, Northern Telecom, Bear Stearns, the Money Store, the US Army, NASA, and Boeing. Through its ease o
f use, maintainability, simplified deployment and small footprint, InterBase has become the preferred embedded databa
se solution.
About Inprise/Borland
Inprise Corporation is a leading provider of Internet-enabling software and services that reduce the complexity of ap
plication development for corporations and individual programmers. Inprise delivers integrated, scalable and secure
solutions distinguished for their ease of use, performance and productivity. Committed to open platforms, Inprise con
tinues its tradition of service and support for millions of software developers around the world through its online d
eveloper community and E-commerce site-http://community.borland.com
-providing a range of technical information, value-added services and third-party products. Founded in 1983
, Inprise is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California, with operations worldwide.
