# OpenEdge Advanced Business Language > business application development language **Wikidata**: [Q1963461](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1963461) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenEdge_Advanced_Business_Language) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/openedge-advanced-business-language ## Summary OpenEdge Advanced Business Language is a business application development language used specifically for relational databases. It's classified as a 4th-generation programming language and an object-based language, with alternative names including Progress 4GL, Progress, and OpenEdge ABL. ## Key Facts - OpenEdge Advanced Business Language is a business application development language used specifically for relational databases - It's classified as a 4th-generation programming language (4GL) that allows users to think "what" instead of "how" when creating applications - Alternative names for the language include Progress 4GL, Progress, and OpenEdge ABL - It was developed by Progress Software - As of recent releases, version 12.2 (released in 2020-04-00) is the long-term support release, and version 12.6 (released in 2022-09-00) is the current stable version - The language follows an object-oriented programming paradigm - Its official website is https://www.progress.com/openedge - OpenEdge ABL source code files can be both read and written by the language ## FAQs ### Q: What is OpenEdge Advanced Business Language used for? A: OpenEdge Advanced Business Language is used for business application development, specifically for creating applications that interact with relational databases. ### Q: What programming paradigm does OpenEdge Advanced Business Language follow? A: OpenEdge Advanced Business Language follows an object-oriented programming paradigm. ### Q: What are the latest versions of OpenEdge Advanced Business Language? A: The latest versions include 12.2 (long-term support release, released in 2020-04-00) and 12.6 (stable version, released in 2022-09-00). ### Q: Who developed OpenEdge Advanced Business Language? A: OpenEdge Advanced Business Language was developed by Progress Software. ### Q: What are some alternative names for OpenEdge Advanced Business Language? A: Alternative names include Progress 4GL, Progress, and OpenEdge ABL. ## Why It Matters OpenEdge Advanced Business Language matters because it provides a specialized tool for developing business applications that interact with relational databases. As a 4th-generation programming language, it offers a more user-friendly approach than traditional procedural languages, allowing developers to focus on "what" they want to achieve rather than the specific implementation details of "how" to achieve it. This abstraction makes it particularly valuable for business application development where rapid development and clear business logic are critical. The language's object-oriented features further enhance its capabilities for building complex, maintainable business applications. With long-term support versions like 12.2 and ongoing innovation releases like 12.6, it continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of business application developers. ## Notable For - It's classified as both a 4th-generation programming language and an object-based language, combining high-level abstraction with object-oriented capabilities - It has specific versions designated as long-term support releases, such as 12.2, providing extended support for critical business applications - The language allows developers to focus on business requirements rather than implementation details, characteristic of 4GLs - It maintains active development with regular innovation releases, such as 12.6, ensuring the language continues to evolve - It has dedicated support for creating applications that interact specifically with relational databases ## Body ### Classification and Purpose OpenEdge Advanced Business Language is a business application development language specifically designed for use with relational databases. It is classified as both a 4th-generation programming language (4GL) and an object-based language. As a 4GL, it provides a more user-friendly, non-procedural approach where developers focus on "what" needs to be accomplished rather than the specific procedural steps of "how" to accomplish it. ### Development and Ownership The language was developed by Progress Software, a company specializing in business application development tools. Progress Software has maintained ownership and development of the language throughout its history, with the Freebase ID /m/043fdy assigned to it. ### Versions and Releases OpenEdge Advanced Business Language has multiple versions with specific designations: - Version 12.2 (released April 2020) is designated as a long-term support (LTS) release - Version 12.6 (released September 2022) is designated as a stable version - Both versions remain actively supported as of the latest updates ### Technical Characteristics - Programming paradigm: Object-oriented programming - File format: Uses OpenEdge ABL source code files that can be both read and written by the language - Website: https://www.progress.com/openedge (primarily in English) ### Presence and Documentation The language has documentation available in multiple languages including Danish, English, Hungarian, Dutch, and Portuguese. It has a presence on Stack Exchange with a dedicated tag for community support and discussion. The Wikipedia article about the language exists in several languages, indicating its international relevance. ## References 1. [OpenEdge 12.2 Long Term Supported Release (LTS). 2020](https://www.progress.com/trial-openedge) 2. [OpenEdge 12.6 Innovation Release Release date September, 2022. 2022](https://www.progress.com/trial-openedge) 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013