New Features in IJC Q4 2019

    Compatibility with MySQL 8

    The MySQL JDBC driver has been changed. Now, IJC is compatible with MySQL version 8. Due to this upgrade in the version 19.26.0, the new .ijs file can’t be opened with older IJC versions. This condition applies to all databases.

    Improved support of JChem PostgreSQL cartridge entity

    Support for chemical term fields has been added to JChem PostgreSQL cartridge entity. Various types (integer, decimal, text, boolean) of chemical term fields can be added with different formulas, such as IUPAC name, LogP, bioavailability, TPSA or Lipinski rule of 5. When a new chemical term field is added, a new database column is created both with a trigger and a corresponding function, and thereafter promoted. The new chemical term field can be customized, i. e., a different name or formula can be assigned. The database function can be automatically updated according to its updated formula. The chemical term field can also be removed and handled in the same manner as other fields, i. e., can be displayed, queried or exported.

    Once a chemical term field is removed without removing of the database column, trigger and function, it can be promoted back only as a standard field, not as a chemical term field. Currently, its promoting back as a chemical term field is not a supported functionality.

    Improved displaying of convergent child data

    The option to load all convergent child data on query is not disabled by the “Show all” button. The “Load all convergent” toggle button is now not disabled by clicking the “Show all” button, therefore all data can be displayed. This feature is especially useful when the user needs to display convergent child data and the "Initial data retrieval off" option is turned on.

    IcedTeaWeb

    Java Web Start allows Java applications to be transferred over the internet and started without a browser. Though Oracle no longer provides support for Java Web Start with their JDK distributions and removed it from official Java distributions package starting with Java 11, Open Web Start was launched as an open source implementation of the Web Start and JNLP standards and offers an alternative to Java Web Start. Open Web Start uses IcedTeaWeb as its core to map the JNLP workflows. IcedTeaWeb is also used within Adopt Open JDK to provide Web Start in its Java 8 releases.

    As IJC’s compatibility with Open Web Start and IcedTeaWeb was successfully tested, we recommend that IJC users who still rely on the Java Web Start technology consider migrating to Open Web Start and IcedTeaWeb. IJC can be deployed using Open Web Start in the same manner as with Java Web Start. The overall functioning of both tools is also identical.

    MSI installers

    Since version 19.22.0, a possibility to install Instant JChem for Windows platform from an MSI file has been added. MSI is a Windows installer file designed to install a program (in this case IJC) to the executing system. It allows accurate control over how the installation is managed, including installing, upgrading and uninstalling. Installation from the MSI file allows system administrators to install IJC to all devices in their corporate network at once. MSI package is provided without bundled Java.

    In addition to the MSI installer, the traditional EXE installer package is also available for both the Windows 32 bit and the 64 bit version.

    All installers include the IJC desktop application, API and documentation. The executables are distributed with a bundled LTS version of AdoptOpenJDK 8.

    Improved export capabilities

    There was a new functionality added in IJC 19.22. Since this version, export to file action can handle many-to-many relationships.

    Schema Editor

    Performance of schema initialization and performance of filtering in Schema Editor was improved.