FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Natural Intelligence releases Roaster Developer Release 2.1 Cambridge, MA, July 18, 1996: Natural Intelligence, Inc. today released a new version of their award-winning software package, Roaster(tm). Roaster is the first development environment for creating applets in Sun(tm) Microsystems, Inc.'s Java(tm) programming language on the Macintosh(r) platform. This latest release, Roaster Developer Release 2.1, provides Roaster subscribers with significant new functionality, fixes, and speed improvements. Roaster DR 2.1 features The primary component in this release is the Roaster Debugger, which offers both source and byte code level debugging. Major features of the debugger include the ability to switch between source and byte code level debugging on the fly, a variety of 'stepping' options, and dedicated windows that enable developers to see elements of the inner workings of objects. Stepping: The stepping feature provides commands to: step in, step out, step over, continuous over, continuous in, stop, kill, and go. Breakpoints: Both "one-shot" breakpoints and permanent breakpoints can be set in the debugger. Windows: The 'Local variable' window enables developers to drill down into objects to see their values. The 'Stack chain' window shows the chain of methods that have been called to get to a particular point in the file. Double-clicking one of these methods will show you where it is in the code and set the local variables window to show the status of the local variables at that frame. The 'Class list' window shows all loaded classes. This window also provides the developer with the ability to "unload" a class or classes and the ability to see the top few values on the runtime stack. Christopher Evans, the lead engineer on this release, noted that in addition to the debugger, "numerous fixes as well as improvements to speed on several operations, including compiling have been implemented in DR 2.1." When asked about the significance of this release and the company's future strategy for Roaster, Product Manager John Dhabolt commented that "This release is the first step in our revamped product strategy. We are releasing key functionality on a timely basis and are aggressively improving our core components based on technology research and user feedback." Also on the Roaster agenda are visual tools and "just-in-time" (JIT) compilation. As a result of recent pricing strategy changes, customers will have the added option of buying one non-developer release of Roaster from Natural Intelligence for $129.00. A subscription to the Roaster development environment is now $199, with an academic price of $69. The academic price is available to university faculty and students. Previously, the product had been sold in subscription form only. Those who purchased Roaster before these price changes went into effect will receive an extension on their current subscription. About Natural Intelligence: Established in 1987 with headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Natural Intelligence, Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive tools and solutions for Java. Natural Intelligence products include Roaster and Roaster Professional(tm), key tools for developing in Java. Natural Intelligence's Java Consulting Division provides a wide variety of Java-related services, including custom development and Internet/Intranet development. More information on Natural Intelligence can be found by emailing info@natural.com or on the World Wide Web at www.natural.com. Roaster and Roaster Professional are trademarks of Natural Intelligence, Inc. All rights reserved. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Mac is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc.