Roger Heinen, senior vice president and head...

Roger Heinen, senior vice president and head of system software development at Apple Computer, has moved to rival Microsoft Corp., where he will assume the post of vice president of database and development tools.

Heinen, who joined Cupertino-based Apple in January, 1990, after 17 years at Digital Equipment Corp., led the development of Apple’s System 7 software, a major upgrade to the innovative software that controls the basic functions of the Macintosh computer.

Apple did not immediately name a replacement and noted that Heinen would be heading a division of Microsoft that does not directly compete with Apple.