A slight change in direction
When we started the business in 2002 we just wanted to launch a C/C++ memory analysis tool that could do things none of the other memory analysis tools could do. We succeeded. And 12 years later the other C/C++ tools still don’t offer the features that C++ Memory Validator does.
After a while we realised that some of the techniques we had developed for C++ Memory Validator could be used to develop other C++ related tools. This resulted in tools for Code Coverage, Performance Profiling, Thread Analysis and Flow Tracing. The last one is still an experiment – we’ve never been quite sure where to go with it.
Lots of Languages
Then we got a bit ambitious releasing versions of these tools for Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP, Lua and an experimental in house version for Tcl. We even considered creating versions for Erlang, Eiffel, Go! and other languages. You could say we got a bit enthusiastic with the idea of trying to support all languages with a similar user interface. We created the first commercial tools for Ruby in 2005 before Ruby on Rails had really taken off. We also created some interesting tools for JavaScript (for the Firefox browser) but keeping up with the very brittle changes made each release by the Firefox team placed ridiculous demands on our software team. It was very flattering to be approached by a leading router manufacturer regarding our Lua tools and could we build them a custom version?
But when you are first you can’t always predict the way the market with go. With all of the above languages, except possibly Java, the market has resoundingly chosen Linux. Which leaves tools that run on Windows in a precarious position. As for Java, Eclipse and the toolsuite around Eclipse are the dominant tools.
Distraction
Maintaining all these tools has become a distraction. We have lost sight of where we should be focussing. So we have come to a decision.
C++ and .Net
Effective immediately we are only going to focus on our C/C++ tools and .Net tools. This will allow us to provide better tools, a better experience and better results for the users of our tools.
- C++ Bug Validator
- C++ Coverage Validator
- C++ Memory Validator
- C++ Performance Validator
- C++ Thread Validator
- .Net Coverage Validator
- .Net Memory Validator
- .Net Performance Validator
Beta Tools
With the exception of C++ Bug Validator all other beta tool programmes will cease immediately. There will be no more software updates for any beta tool other than C++ Bug Validator.
Java, JavaScript, Lua, Python, Perl, PHP, Ruby
All tools for Java, JavaScript, Lua, Python, Perl, PHP, Ruby will be removed from evaluation programmes and are no longer available for sale. Existing customers will continue to receive software updates until the end of their software maintenance period.
Of course this will come as a surprise to some of our customers and we’re very sorry about that. But you have to admit when tools have reached the end of their life.
The whole purpose of this change is to allow us to provide a better result for the users of the core tools of our business rather than a not so good result for a larger group of people. Excellence requires focus and that is what we are going to do.
Future
In the future we may re-package some of the retired tools as free tools. But we’re not sure what direction to go with that. It’s not just a case of making them available for download. The most likely tools to make a re-appearance are for Lua, Python and possibly Perl.
What about JavaScript? Well, maybe. But if they reappear it will be commercially as they take a lot of effort to make work with Firefox.
Why don’t we open source them? Sorry, we can’t do that. Large parts of these tools are part of the C++ and .Net tools.