Paradox Relational Database Turns 25!

In 1985, the Ansa Software Company (Richard Schwartz and Robert Shostak) introduced Paradox for DOS, the first relational database for the PC market. This database was ahead of the curve from day one, offering true relational database capabilities, query-by-example, and a fairly robust form generating and reporting interface. Later versions included the Paradox Application Language (PAL) that essentially allowed users to develop stand alone database applications using a rudimentary graphical user interface. PAL’s user interface was a forerunner of many of the programming environments in use today.

As MS-Windows took hold in the 1990s, Paradox (then owned by Borland Software) was the only pre-Windows database software to successfully negotiate the transition, partly because of its basic file structure. It was so well designed that databases developed in the late 1980s can still be read by the latest versions of Paradox. Despite the recent dominance of MS-Access in the PC market, Paradox (now owned by Corel) still maintains a world-wide presence, a strong user community, and a passionate following. There aren’t many software products today that can boast that they’ve survived a quarter century. I bought my first copy (Version 1.1) in 1986 and still use Paradox everyday. It’s still a great way to manage data.

As a side note, Paradox was introduced to the computing public on page 11 in the September 23, 1985 issue of InfoWorld. On the facing page of that issue was the announcement that Steve Jobs, looking not a day over 15, had resigned from Apple.

I we can help you develop or maintain your Paradox application, please drop us a line at info@coxcolvin.com, include Paradox in the subject,