Honest Answer Hard to Achieve
Our company is using Informix SE 4.0 (1990) and want to upgrade to Informix SE 7.x. The primary reason being so we can use ODBC to connect to the Windows world (to use report writers, make VB/Delphi front-ends, etc.). But we have 1000s of existing 4GL programs and need them all to work under the new version of Informix (SE 7.x). We've been told several conficting things by several different salesmen. For example, when we get SE 7, will we need a new version of the 4GL compiler? Some say our existing programs simply need to be recompiled with our existing 4GL compiler (c4gl Version 4.0). Some say we need to upgrade to a newer version of the 4GL compiler (or use "4Js", a similar product that can also do graphics mode). Everyone giving advice stands to gain financially from our decision, it's hard to know who honestly has our best interest at heart. Bottom Line: We want a version of Informix new enough that ODBC drivers exist for it. Informix SE 7.x sounds like that version. Do we need a newer version of 4GL also? And if so, do we just need a few developer licenses (we have 3 developers), or enough runtime licenses for each and every user (80 users). We have the version of 4GL that creates *.ec/*.c code then compiles/links that to make our executable (*.4ge), no "p-code" or interpreted code. Any help much appreciated! wolphie@hotmail.com
> ...And if so, do we just need a few developer > licenses (we have 3 developers), or enough runtime licenses for each > and every user (80 users). We have the version of 4GL that creates > *.ec/*.c code then compiles/links that to make our executable (*.4ge), > no "p-code" or interpreted code. Any help much appreciated! ...to clarify, the essence of our question is this: Is a new version of the Informix (IBM) 4GL compiler necessary when moving from Informix SE 4.x to Informix SE 7.x? And if so, when we purchase Informix SE 7.x with 80 user licenses, and three 4GL developer licenses (for our 3 programmers), are an additional 80 "runtime" 4GL licenses necessary? These are stand-alone executables (*.4ge), no thin-client or "presentation layer", or interpreted p-code, the only requirement is a telnet "green screen". A gentleman we are dealing with is really pushing "4Js". I have a feeling that going the 4J route would require the additional runtime licenses, but sticking with good old 4GL would not. I admittedly speak out of ignorance, and this guy may be on the level. Any insight to this matter greatly appreciated. Thanks! JD
Smitty wrote: >>...And if so, do we just need a few developer >>licenses (we have 3 developers), or enough runtime licenses for each >>and every user (80 users). We have the version of 4GL that creates >>*.ec/*.c code then compiles/links that to make our executable (*.4ge), >>no "p-code" or interpreted code. Any help much appreciated! > > > ...to clarify, the essence of our question is this: Is a new version > of the Informix (IBM) 4GL compiler necessary when moving from Informix > SE 4.x to Informix SE 7.x? And if so, when we purchase Informix SE > 7.x with 80 user licenses, and three 4GL developer licenses (for our 3 > programmers), are an additional 80 "runtime" 4GL licenses necessary? > These are stand-alone executables (*.4ge), no thin-client or > "presentation layer", or interpreted p-code, the only requirement is a > telnet "green screen". A gentleman we are dealing with is really > pushing "4Js". I have a feeling that going the 4J route would require > the additional runtime licenses, but sticking with good old 4GL would > not. I admittedly speak out of ignorance, and this guy may be on the > level. Any insight to this matter greatly appreciated. Thanks! JD There are three separate licences that you will have to purchase: SE - it includes only the engine (BTW IDS Workgroup Edition should be considered as you have 80 users - just my opinion). 4GL Compiler Developer - you need one per developer 4GL Compiler Runtime - one per concurrent user. To the best on my knowledge 4js has the same structure, but is a lot more expensive. HTH Michael