RTFM -- which FM?

> Let me explain. The 7.1 manual set "Informix Guide to SQL, Tutorial, > Reference, and Syntax" is documentation on the SQL language is supported > by the 7.1 Informix database servers. That manual set is NOT the manual > for the product called "INFORMIX-SQL." Since the 5.x release of the > database servers, I-SQL and other tools have been documented separately > from the servers. > > The confusion is certainly understandable, and we try to make such > distinctions clear in the introduction of the manual. > > Thanks, > Catherine Lyman, SCT pubs Well, I got it figured out. It took a while, though. The final break- down (on the products installed at my site) is this: PRODUCT VERSION MANUAL I-SQL 6.0 INFORMIX-SQL User Guide INFORMIX-SQL Reference 4.x Informix Guide to SQL: Tutorial Informix Guide to SQL: Syntax SQL Quick Syntax Guide Informix Guide to SQL: Reference These are the manuals for the product Informix-SQL, which you must buy separately. They have information on Forms, and the Perform option. On the new products, the dash is the key. Anything with a large dash in the title applies to a specific product. DB-Access 7.1 DB-Access User Manual This manual applies to the DB-Access product. DB-Access is sort of a subset of I-SQL, but it does things differently (such as allowing connection to any instances on that node, without the environment variables that I-SQL requires.) Generally, if you have I-SQL you won't use DB-Access. I guess. Generic 7.1 Informix Guide to SQL: Tutorial Informix Guide to SQL: Syntax SQL Quick Syntax Guide Informix Guide to SQL: Reference These books now apply to the Structured Query Language (SQL) in general, and how you can use it with the Informix family of products. They don't refer to the I-SQL User Guide or Reference (the product documentation.) The section on "Related Reading" *does* point to a number of other, generic database and unix books. They do not list I-SQL under the "Products Covered in This Manual", though they list I-SQL in the preceding paragraph, entitled "Informix Products That Use SQL". This is the only clue I found that the manuals had changed. Sorry this got so long. I've spent much of the day poring over these manuals (especially after making such a big deal over my "RTFM" earlier.) I'll send the documentation people a brief suggestion about changing the titles, references, and introductions. At least this is more on-topic than "Monty..." __________________________________________________________________ | Clem Akins Standard Disclaimers Apply | |Reynolds Metals Co, Alloys Plant "Climb High, Cave Deep!" | | Muscle Shoals, Alabama USA cwakins@leia.alloys.rmc.com | |________________________________________________________________|