CAUSE - The Personal Programmer
                         Copyright 1989 David Batterson


     Personal programming is the current hot item.  Some analysts think
personal programming software could surpass DTP (desktop publishing) sales in
the future.  The potential market does seem to be much larger.
     Most PC users are not programmers, except in limited ways.  If you create
macros or batch files, believe it or not, you are programming.  My programming
experience is limited to GW-BASIC, and MS-DOS batch files (like the one I
wrote which runs "PC REVIEWS").
     Other users have not delved into any programming yet.  You really should
if you haven't, as it's not only fun but challenging and educational.  Personal
programming software makes programming even easier.  Remember that I said
"easier," not "easy."
     Maxem Corporations's CAUSE, "the object-oriented application generator,"
is one of several personal programming tools on the market, with more on the
way.  Such programs relieve you of the drudgery of writing code, and instead
concentrate on program content, menus and execution.
     CAUSE provides you with visual programming tools to link everything
together.  It then compiles and creates the finished program for you.
     In other words, no hex code, no BASIC "FOR NEXT " or "GOSUB" commands, and
no C or Pascal syntax.  CAUSE lets the end user "create his or her program
graphically rather than syntactically."
     All programs created by CAUSE will also run on a Macintosh.  Although
there will be slight differences in display, CAUSE makes the best use of
graphics and color for either PCs or Macs.  Try to do that effortlessly in C
programming!
     The CAUSE brochure says that "anyone can use it."  I have to disagree as
some people will even find personal programming too difficult.  It's accurate
to say that it does reduce weeks or months of programming tedium to days or
even hours.
     However, successful use of CAUSE requires several things of the user:
organization, a logical mind, creativity and patience.  Without those, your
finished program will lack the finesse found in professionally-written
software.  In other words, it'll help if you're a combination of H. Ross Perot,
Mr. Spock, Peter Ustinov and Job!  Bear in mind that GIGO (Garbage In, Garbage
Out) still applies with CAUSE.
     In the tutorial, I found myself getting stuck a couple of times, or lost
in the organizational maze.  The tutorial thoughtfully provides a flowchart to
help you see where you are in the tutorial program you create.
     CAUSE's manual emphasizes:  "No matter how simple your program, it is
always recommended that you plot it on paper before you sit down to create it
with CAUSE."  Good advice.  If you've created company organizational charts,
you already know how important it is to have one.
     CAUSE takes an orderly approach to everything.  You first create windows,
using tools to create graphic effects, like buttons, title bars, shadows, etc.
CAUSE already includes a relational database (B-Tree/ISAM), so data storage and
retrieval are built-in.  However, you must specify the data, and when/where the
program will use it.
     Windows can be moved and sized easily.  Buttons can be created and
activated quickly (much faster than sewing them on a shirt!).  Add colors and
shading according to your taste and imagination.  (Here's where that creativity
comes into play.)
     There is program trace for debugging, ability to import/export ASCII text
files, context-sensitive help for each dialog screen, and custom report
generation.  Even more amazing is that CAUSE creates and prints an end-user
manual automatically.  Now that's slick!
     CAUSE requires 512K, a Microsoft-compatible mouse, a hard disk, and any
graphics card/monitor is OK.  The Personal Programmer version lists for $295
(PC or Mac); you can get both for $495.  The Professional Programmer (PC or
Mac) includes unlimited run-time, and costs $795.  Maxem also offers a 30-day
money-back guarantee on CAUSE.
     Besides the program itself, I was impressed by the CAUSE packaging.  It's
the best I've seen this year; first-class and refined.  The manuals are nicely-
done, with plentiful illustrations throughout, and spiral-bound so pages will
lie flat.
     Professional programmers can market their CAUSE-created programs through
Maxem (if they are accepted for publication).  They are called EFFECTS, and a
number of these applications are already being sold by Maxem.  A nine-minute
video on CAUSE is available for $9.95.
     Corporations may obtain evaluation copies.  For more information or to
order, contact Maxem Corporation, 7855 South River Parkway, Tempe, AZ  85284;
800-336-6296, 602-491-2466, FAX: 602-491-2453.
                                       #
     David Batterson writes lots of PC articles and reviews.  Contact him via
MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.