Tech

Software Development with MapuSoft’s Application Common Operating Environment

Published

2 years ago

December 7, 2023

In the fast-paced world of software development, the need for interoperability, cross-platform capabilities, and adaptability is more critical than ever. MapuSoft Technologies addresses these challenges with its Application Common Operating Environment (AppCOE™), a robust framework designed to promote code interoperability and cross-platform capabilities among systems and devices. Built on the powerful open-source Eclipse-based framework, AppCOE™ integrates seamlessly with all of MapuSoft’s tools, offering a comprehensive solution for developing and deploying applications across diverse environments.

Code Interoperability and Cross-OS Platform Capabilities

At the core of AppCOE™ is the concept of developing a common architecture that facilitates code interoperability and cross-OS platform capabilities. This framework enables developers to standardize C/C++ and Ada applications, allowing them to interoperate and run seamlessly on a single platform. The flexibility offered by AppCOE™ ensures that embedded software applications can be developed, tested, and deployed without the constraints of a specific operating system, promoting efficiency and adaptability.

Automated Software Porting to a New OS Platform

One of the standout features of MapuSoft’s offering is its Automated Software Porting to a New OS Platform, a capability essential for today’s dynamic software environment. This tool, known as OS Changer®, provides C/C++ source-level virtualization technology that facilitates the effortless reuse of software on a new operating system and hardware. By eliminating manual porting efforts, OS Changer® not only saves time and money but also accelerates time-to-market for software applications.

Develop Code Once to Deploy on Multiple Platforms

AppCOE™ embraces the philosophy of writing code once and deploying it on multiple platforms. The Cross-OS Development Platform, an integral part of AppCOE™, protects software investments by freeing code from the constraints of the current OS and hardware platform. This capability significantly reduces future porting issues, allowing software to be easily migrated to new operating systems. The result is an easily portable code that increases its lifespan and value, mitigating risks associated with OS selection.

Preventing Software Lock-In

The fear of software lock-in is a common concern for developers. MapuSoft addresses this by introducing OS Abstractor, a commercial-grade abstraction layer that ensures better performance at a lower cost than in-house solutions. OS Abstractor creates a clear separation between application code and the underlying OS, freeing the code and minimizing future upgrading costs. This not only enhances adaptability but also protects software investments in the long run.

Automated Conversion of Programming Languages

MapuSoft’s Automated Code-Changer is a powerful tool that supports the automated conversion of over 30 software languages into more modern programming languages. This model-based automation significantly increases efficiency and accuracy while reducing costs, errors, and risks. The tool also provides the capability to create automated documentation for either the old or new code, offering a comprehensive solution for language modernization.

Ada-C/C++ Changer: A Reliable Conversion Tool

Ada-C/C++ Changer is another impressive offering from MapuSoft, providing automated conversion of Ada code to C/C++ or Java along with documentation and performance improvements. Developed and tuned by experienced scientists with over 40 years of modernization expertise, Ada-C/C++ Changer not only modernizes the code but also enhances its overall quality.

Simulating Embedded Applications

MapuSoft’s OS Simulator is a game-changer for developers, eliminating the need for the original OS and expensive target hardware during development. This tool allows developers to simulate embedded applications on Windows and Linux host PCs, reducing licensing costs, hardware requirements, and time to market. OS Simulator supports up to eight of the most popular OS platforms, offering flexibility and convenience in the development process.

Making Software Independent of OS Upgrades

OS Version UpKit™ is a solution designed to make software independent of OS upgrades, providing freedom from disturbances caused by manual porting efforts. This tool enables applications to easily upgrade to a newer version of the OS, saving significant time and money while preventing ongoing projects from getting stuck.

Empowering Academic Institutions

MapuSoft’s commitment to education is evident in its offerings like RTOS Simulator, providing academic institutions with a cost-effective solution to expose students to real-world embedded software development. This one-stop solution makes popular RTOS platforms available on standard Windows/Linux personal computers, offering students hands-on experience and improving their marketability in various industries.

MapuSoft Technologies stands out with its comprehensive suite of tools and frameworks under the Application Common Operating Environment umbrella. AppCOE™, along with tools like OS Changer®, OS Abstractor, and Automated Code-Changer, empowers developers to create robust, interoperable, and adaptable software solutions. Whether it’s preventing software lock-in, automated language conversion, or simulating embedded applications, MapuSoft’s offerings cater to the evolving needs of the software development landscape, providing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and future-proofing for applications across industries.

Tech

How iAsk Visual Search Captures and Delivers Detailed Insights from the World You See

Published

5 days ago

December 19, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: iAsk.ai

Byline: Shem Albert

There are moments when the world around you sparks curiosity, yet you do not even know the word for what you are seeing. You describe it in painstaking detail, type and retype, scroll through search results, hoping something matches. Minutes pass, sometimes longer, just to uncover a simple answer. That experience of encountering something unfamiliar and struggling to put it into words is all too common, yet often goes unnoticed. With a single photo, however, everything changes. iAsk Visual Search bridges that gap. Suddenly, the mystery becomes an opportunity to learn, experiment, or act in the moment.

Turning Discovery into Action

Using iAsk Visual Search is simple, yet the possibilities it opens up are immediate. You open the app and snap a photo of the object, diagram, or scene that has caught your attention. Instantly, the app identifies what it sees and provides context, turning a moment of curiosity into a starting point for exploration. From there, you can ask follow-up questions to dig deeper, consider alternatives, or uncover how something works in practical terms.

This goes far beyond basic identification. Where traditional image recognition might simply name an object or offer a brief description, iAsk lets you continue the conversation. It remembers the image, so you can explore multiple layers of information without starting over. What begins as a single observation quickly expands into actionable insights you can apply immediately.

Real-World Applications in Everyday Life

The real test of significance for iAsk Visual Search is how it is used in a user’s everyday life. Novice cooks and experienced chefs can rely on it to identify an unfamiliar ingredient and ask follow-up questions, such as preparation tips, cooking methods, or possible substitutions. Users can experiment with complementary flavors or adapt recipes based on what is available in their pantry, reducing hesitation and encouraging culinary creativity.

A quick snapshot of a street sign, menu, or product label in a foreign language is another way iAsk Visual Search supports everyday tasks. Users can ask follow-up questions to clarify translations, understand cultural context, or receive practical guidance. This enables individuals to navigate unfamiliar environments with confidence and ease.

These examples illustrate how iAsk Visual Search can become a versatile companion in daily life. It can serve as a travel guide, a study aid, or a creative assistant. Artists, crafters, and curious hobbyists can explore materials, techniques, or designs with guidance that is immediate and interactive. Each interaction transforms curiosity into tangible results, empowering users to act on the knowledge they gain instantly.

A Tool That Stands Apart

iAsk Visual Search stands out for its interactive, context-sensitive design. Users can maintain an ongoing dialogue with the app, exploring details without losing sight of the original image. This makes it possible to investigate complex subjects and adapt the information to specific tasks.

Privacy and accessibility are central to the experience. Images are not stored, personal data is not tracked, and there are no ads to interrupt the workflow. The app is available across multiple platforms without subscription barriers, making it accessible to students, parents, hobbyists, and professionals alike.

Curiosity Translated into Results

iAsk Visual Search turns a simple photo into an understanding you can act on. Whether it’s decoding a diagram, identifying an object, or untangling a confusing concept, a snapshot instantly delivers context, explanations, and next steps. It doesn’t just show you — it teaches you, guiding each discovery into something useful.

Every question becomes a chance to learn, explore, or create. From the kitchen to the classroom, the trailhead to the studio, iAsk makes the world clearer and curiosity immediately productive.

Snap. Ask. Learn. Then act. The answers are there. All you need to do is iAsk.