Informix SQL vs. 4GL

I am embarking on a long over-due upgrade from Informix ver 3.3 to 4.1. I have read/scanned the Informix ISQL and 4GL manuals. I currently have many forms that use the Perform screen program. My original idea was to convert these to 4gl screens in order to access the 4gl commands like update and delete; and also check conditions in other tables and add or delete records in yet another table if the conditions are met. These functions are currently being handled by calls to C functions from the instructions section of the Perform screen form. I hope I am wrong; but from the looks of the manuals, after converting the screens, I would have to write programs to open the form, accept data, update the data, scroll records, etc. These are procedures that the isql Perform screen took care of automatically. Not to mention querying. Perform allows for any field on the screen to be a part of an adhoc query-no programming required. The extra programming effort of 4gl does not seem like a way for me to increase productivity. Is it possible to execute sql statements from the instructions section of a Perform screen? Does anyone have a solution to get rid of the cumbersome C code and keep the ease of creation that the Perform program allows? jkharris@utk.edu