This document describes the main functionality provided by Natural Connection that is relevant for UNIX.
For details regarding the features of the PC component, see the Entire Connection documentation.
Data can be downloaded to and uploaded from the PC directly to/from an online program.
Data transfer and conversion to many formats (for example, Lotus 1-2-3, dBASE, ASCII, HTML, XML, Basic, DIF, Binary) is performed in one step. Sophisticated compression techniques are used.
Using Natural Connection, you can create integrated applications that use both UNIX and PC resources.
For example, Natural creates files that you can then further process on the PC. In this way, graphics, spreadsheets, or binary data can be distributed to other users.
UNIX applications can use PC printers.
A key consideration for any information network is effective security and control. Natural Security on UNIX provides comprehensive control facilities.
Detailed security profiles are assigned on a user-by-user basis to control access to data and programs.
Other significant objects secured are the individual keywords in the Natural syntax. This can restrict some users, for example, to retrieving data from UNIX databases, while others have the full capability for retrieval and update of UNIX data.
Natural Security also protects against excessive use of system resources by individual users. This is vital when PC users may be employing powerful UNIX features for the first time.
As an additional safeguard, Natural Connection can also encrypt all data downloaded from Natural.
