Using Informix Dynamic Server with WebSphere

ISBN : 0738453498

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Sample Chapter From Using Informix Dynamic Server with WebSphere
Copyright © Chuck Ballard, Eduardo Akisue, Alexander Koerner, Martin Lurie, Pagadala J. Suresh

Informix Dynamic Server: An overview

In this chapter we provide a brief overview of the Informix Dynamic Server (IDS). This is not
intended to be an in-depth product description, nor does it describe all of the functions and
features of IDS. Rather, it presents some of the basic concepts, architecture, functions, and
features that contribute to the powerful capabilities of the product.
Many of the features discussed are centered around the ability to support high availability,
fast data loads, fast backup and restore, and high performance. These are the types of
capabilities required to develop and support a robust online environment, and still maintain
flexibility and ease of change. And, this is the type of environment that can be created as you
implement IDS in an integrated environment with WebSphere.

1.1 Informix database family

In this section we provide a very brief description of the Informix family of database servers.
We describe them briefly, and position the features and advantages that enable them to
satisfy the differing requirements of the solutions that customers need.

Informix Dynamic Server (IDS)
IDS is the Informix flagship database server. It is the best-of-breed, general purpose, but
mission-critical, OLTP database for e-business. It delivers the performance, reliability,
scalability, and high-availability needed for today’s global, e-business enterprises.

Key IDS features include Data Partitioning, High-Availability Data Replication (HDR),
Enterprise Replication (ER), Parallel Queries, and fast loads and backups. It also supports
industry standards for client connectivity, such as ODBC, JDBC and OLE/DB.

IDS is divided in two main product lines: Version 7.x and Version 9.x. The IDS architecture,
and most of the features, are supported on both families. Some extended features for Version
9.x will also be described in later chapters.

Informix Dynamic Server with J/Foundation
IDS with J/Foundation combines all the features of IDS with an open, flexible, embedded
Java Virtual Machine. Basically this provides the added capability of running Stored
Procedures written in the Java language (Java on the server).

Informix Online Extended Edition
Informix Online Extended Edition is an easy-to-use, relational database server for
low-to-medium size workloads. It features superior online transaction processing support with
the assurance of data integrity. And it provides rich multimedia data management capabilities
that support the storage of a wide range of media, such as documents, images, and audio.
Included also is support for a wide variety of application development tools, along with a large
number of other third-party tools, enabled by support of the ODBC and JDBC industry
standards for client connectivity.

Informix SE
Informix Standard Edition (SE) is a UNIX, Linux, and Microsoft Windows-based embeddable
database server. It seamlessly integrates with Informix and third party application
development tools, and it is ideal for small to medium-sized applications that need the power
of SQL without any database administration requirements. It represents a low-maintenance,
high-reliability database solution, and it provides excellent performance, data consistency,
client/server capabilities, and adherence to standards.

Informix C-ISAM
Informix C-ISAM is a fast and cost-effective file management technology. It is a library of C
functions which efficiently manage your indexed sequential access method (ISAM) files. As it
is only a file management system (and not a database), it eliminates the overhead of a full
relational database management system (RDBMS). The result can be fast, direct access to
your data records.