Chris Pollach, Technical Evangelist at Software Tool & Die Inc. (STD), has been active through the first quarter of 2026. Between February and April, STD released a series of new and updated demo applications along with a new version of their Integrated Foundation Class framework, all targeting PowerBuilder 2025 GA (build 3726). Beta-compatible versions for PB 2025 R2 are also included in each release.
All of Chris's 2026 announcements are listed below in chronological order.
STD Integrated Foundation Classes - 2026 R1 Released
The flagship release of this cycle is the Integrated Foundation Class library 2026 R1 (build 2026.1.0.467), published on April 9, 2026. This is the free, open-source PowerBuilder framework, now exceeding 122,000 lines of code and continuing to be one of the most actively maintained community resources in the PowerBuilder ecosystem.
Key changes in this build include the removal of legacy browser components (Internet Explorer WebBrowser control and Chromium support, both dropped by PB 2025), improved PowerServer SQL label processing, a new nc\_capture\_master object class, a new nc\_string\_master class for advanced string handling, a new nc\_net\_user\_group class for Windows user/group identity lookups, enhanced RibbonBar/MDI switching support, and a range of stability and compatibility improvements aligned with PB 2025 R2.
The STD framework enables PB developers to access modern UI features like RibbonBar, Themes, multi-monitor support, tabbed dialogs, logging, debugging, and much more - simply through inheritance, with no need to purchase add-on products. It supports Native Client, PowerClient, and PowerServer (cloud) deployment models.
STD would also like to thank Novalys for their ongoing support of the Foundation Classes through the supply of the Visual Expert product, which is used for framework analysis and automated documentation.
Downloads:
- Framework: SourceForge – STD Framework / Integrated
- OrderEntry Demo: SourceForge – OrderEntry Application
New Demo Application: Digital Image Capture
A brand-new demo application was released in March 2026 - a Digital Image Capture tool built entirely in PowerBuilder 2025 using the STD Framework 2026 R1.
This application demonstrates the new nc\_capture\_master Non-Visual User Object (NVUO), which enables a PB application to capture any Windows object class - a Window, Application screen, Control, or other resource - as a digital image via the Windows API. The captured image can be returned as a PB Blob variable for database storage, saved to an external file, or copied directly to the Windows clipboard.
Out of the box, the application ships with RibbonBar UI, Themes, Print Preview, multi-monitor support, automatic dialog centering, and consistent message box displays - all inherited from the STD Framework without any additional coding.
A PB 2025 R2 Beta version of the Capture application is also available in the Beta subfolder on SourceForge.
Download: SourceForge – Capture Application
Multi-Media Player - 2026 R1 and R2
The STD Multi-Media Player application also received two updates in 2026. The 2026 R1 release added a RibbonBar UI - the final planned UI modernization step for this application - bringing it fully in line with the current PB 2025 look-and-feel. The subsequent 2026 R2 update followed shortly after, and both have been tested on Windows 11 version 25H2.
The application demonstrates the vs\_ole\_media\_player\_master object class from the STD Framework, which can be used to embed live "how to" media directly into business applications.
A PB 2025 R2 Beta version is included in the Beta folder on SourceForge.
Download: SourceForge – MultiMedia Application
MP3 Player and CD Player — Updated
The STD MP3 Player and CD Player demo applications were also refreshed in this cycle, both updated for PB 2025 build 3726 and the STD Framework 2026 R1. PB 2025 R2 Beta builds are available alongside the production releases.
STD Framework Wins SourceForge Community Leader Award
In a well-deserved recognition, the STD Foundation Classes project received a Community Leader Award from SourceForge. The award is given to select projects that have reached significant milestones in terms of downloads and user engagement, qualifying out of more than 500,000 open-source projects hosted on the platform. The award badge now appears on the STD project page.
Congratulations to Chris and the STD team on this recognition. It reflects years of consistent, high-quality contributions to the PowerBuilder community.
What's Next: Framework 2026 R2
Chris has confirmed that work on STD Framework 2026 R2 is already underway. This release will be published following the Appeon PB 2025 R2 GA release and will incorporate support for new PB R2 features where applicable. Beta-compatible versions of the current demo apps have already been prepared and are available now for those participating in the PB 2025 R2 beta programme.
Resources
- STD Project on SourceForge: https://sourceforge.net/projects/stdfndclass
- Chris Pollach's Blog: https://chrispollach.blogspot.com
- Getting Started with the STD Framework (Video Series): PowerBuilderTV
- Demo Database for PB Projects: GitHub – Appeon PowerBuilder Project Example Database
