Ashton-Tate

Ashton-Tate

Ashton-Tate logo

Ashton-Tate was a prominent software company that played a significant role in the early development of database management systems (DBMS) and computer software applications. Founded in 1980 by George Tate and Hal Lashlee, Ashton-Tate quickly gained recognition for its flagship product, the dBASE database management system.

History

Ashton-Tate was established in 1980 in Torrance, California. The company's founders, George Tate and Hal Lashlee, aimed to create software that would simplify data management for businesses. Their first major product, dBASE II, was released in 1981 and became an instant success. It was one of the first widely-used database management systems for microcomputers.

dBASE

dBASE III Plus screenshot

dBASE, developed by Ashton-Tate, was a groundbreaking database management system that revolutionized the way businesses stored and accessed their data. It provided a user-friendly interface and a powerful query language, making it accessible to non-technical users. dBASE quickly became the standard for database management systems in the 1980s and early 1990s.

Acquisition by Borland

In 1991, Ashton-Tate faced financial difficulties due to increased competition and the failure of their new product, dBASE IV. As a result, the company was acquired by Borland International, a software development company. Borland continued to develop and market the dBASE product line, releasing versions such as dBASE V and dBASE 7.

Legacy

Although Ashton-Tate is no longer in operation, its impact on the software industry is still felt today. The dBASE product line, now owned by dBASE LLC, continues to be used by developers and businesses around the world. The company's innovative approach to database management systems paved the way for future advancements in the field.

See also

• Database management system
• Borland
• dBASE