NATURAL is a fourth-generation programming language (4GL) developed by Software AG in 1979. It was designed to streamline the development of business applications and make them more accessible for non-technical users. The language is particularly well-suited for database applications, especially when used in conjunction with Adabas, a high-performance database management system also developed by Software AG.
NATURAL provides a high-level abstraction for creating and managing complex business processes, allowing developers to write concise code that focuses more on the business logic than on low-level details. The language is known for its robust integration with databases, offering extensive support for both querying and manipulating data. It uses a procedural programming model and includes features like strong data typing, error handling, and built-in database interaction, making it ideal for creating reliable, data-intensive applications.
One of NATURAL's main advantages is its portability and scalability. Applications written in NATURAL can run on a variety of platforms, including mainframes, UNIX, Linux, Windows, and even web-based environments. This flexibility allows businesses to use NATURAL for large-scale enterprise systems, which often span multiple platforms and databases.
NATURAL's syntax is designed to be easy to understand and write, with keywords and commands that closely resemble natural language. This user-friendly syntax makes it easier for business analysts and non-programmers to grasp the language and participate in the development process.
Here’s a basic example of a NATURAL program that reads data from an Adabas database:
READ EMPLOYEES BY NAME
DISPLAY NAME SALARY
END-READThis simple script retrieves employee records from the EMPLOYEES database and displays the NAME and SALARY fields. NATURAL abstracts much of the database interaction, enabling developers to focus on the logic of their applications rather than the complexities of database management.
NATURAL remains in use today, particularly in legacy systems in industries like finance, government, and healthcare, where large-scale, transaction-heavy applications are common. Despite the emergence of newer technologies, many organizations continue to rely on NATURAL due to its stability, reliability, and the significant investment in existing systems built with it.
Over the years, Software AG has made several enhancements to NATURAL, including support for web-based applications, object-oriented programming features, and integration with modern development environments. This evolution has helped keep NATURAL relevant in today’s business landscape, where enterprises demand both the stability of proven technologies and the flexibility to adapt to new platforms and architectures.
In conclusion, NATURAL is a high-level, database-oriented programming language that excels in creating business applications, particularly when paired with Adabas. Its ease of use, combined with powerful database integration and cross-platform support, has made it a long-standing choice for many large organizations around the world.