What is "clipper"

Clipper (or CA-Clipper) is a 16-bit compiler of the xbase language for the DOS environment. It was created in 1984 for the purpose of being a compiler for the Ashton-Tate dBase, a very popular database manager in its day. It is a derivative of Clipper Summer, and after being acquired by Computer Associates came to version 5.3B, implemented by a graphical interface compatible with MS-Windows 3.11 and by a subset of support for the C and Assembly languages, which made possible a prototype of Object Orientation.

Characteristics of the language:

• Pre-source code processor;
• High-performance compilers;
• Interactive debugger;
• Graphical IDE (optional, requiring MS-Windows® installed);
• Support for VGA video graphics modes (with appropriate drivers);
• Mouse support (with manufacturer driver) integrated into data entry libraries;
• Generation of executables that used protected or real memory modes (choosing one of the compilers specific to these features);
• Overlay module generation (roughly equivalent to dynamic binding libraries), decreasing the size of executables and their memory usage;
• Two real objects for MS-DOS, (Tbrowse and Get) for development of screens with data masses and data inputs respectively;
• Acceleration keys (the equivalent of hotkeys);

Bibliographic References:

• José Antonio Alves Ramalho, Clipper 5.0 Operator’s Guide Basic Commands, Mcgraw-Hill Publisher/Makkon Books.
• Rubens Prates, Clipper Version 5.2 Guia de Consulta Rápida, Editora Novatec.
• Rubens Prates, Clipper Error messages Versions 5.01/5.2 Quick Query Guide, Novatec Publisher.