What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc?
A user asked why Informix doesn't get the same Oracle PL/SQL compatibility work IBM has put into DB2, hoping to ease migrations from Oracle. It's a discussion rather than a bug report. Marco Greco pointed to his SQSL client-side scripting language as an alternative. Fernando Nunes noted that 11.70.FC6 ships a DataBlade implementing some Oracle PL/SQL package functions, that SQL syntax compatibility is being worked on, and gave his personal view that such compatibility rarely wins migrations. IBM's John Miller asked which functions users want; the poster named DECODE, and Miller replied that DECODE has been usable in SQL statements since version 11.10. No roadmap commitment was given.
Auto-generated by DrWatson from the posts below — may be imperfect; read the full thread.
Hello, friends. I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB2, but... why not Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we know that)? Something very very good for us, to improve our target markets, and products that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the best database engine", like they like to say.... Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this will be possible, and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from day-by-day listen and see new products based in that technology, every week. When will Informix be in strong and known products world? Best regards.
On 10/01/13 09:19, ALEXANDRE MARINI wrote: > Hello, friends. > I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB2, but... why not > Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we know that)? > > Something very very good for us, to improve our target markets, and products > that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the best database > engine", like they like to say.... > > Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this will be possible, > and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from day-by-day > listen and see new products based in that technology, every week. When will > Informix be in strong and known products world? > > Best regards. Have a look at my SQSL (details in the sig below): better client side scripting than PL/SQL, concurrent connectivity to multiple database engines, available in a variety of interfaces. Has been around for more than a decade. -- Ciao, Marco ______________________________________________________________________________ Marco Greco /UK /IBM Standard disclaimers apply! Structured Query Scripting Language http://www.4glworks.com/sqsl.htm 4glworks http://www.4glworks.com Informix on Linux http://www.4glworks.com/ifmxlinux.htm
I have no inside information (and if I had I wouldn't be able to discuss it naturally). But 11.70.FC6 includes a datablade that implements some functions of some Oracle PL/SQL packages. I see no reason why this couldn't be enhanced in the future. I have a *personal* opinion about this "compatibility" question... It's not IBM official position and It's very debatable of course... The so called compatibility appeals to existing customers. And an existing customer will only change if one of two situations occurs: - The competitor is "squeezing" the customer - The customer is really, truly annoyed with the level of support it gets from the supplier In any case, customers are very risk averse, meaning they'll do almost anything to avoid migration risks. So... In case 1) most situations end up with the competitor lowering the costs and the customers choose the less risk option (stay with what they have) Case 2) is very, very rare in my experience. So, my personal opinion is that the compatibility features will not help too much... But of course, we should split these into at least two areas: 1- SQL compatibility (not functions, but SQL syntax). This is important and we've been working on that. Expect more features in the future versions. This means functionality that can be used by 3rd party companies and this could allow more companies to support Informix 2- "simple" SQL functions that we currently don't have/support. Most of the times they can easily be implemented and the idea of putting them into a datablade seems good to me. The problem is that sometimes these functions require some processing on the internal engine implementation and can't easily be done in User Defined Functions (UDRs) Regards. On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM, ALEXANDRE MARINI <alexandre@briug.org>wrote: > Hello, friends. > I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB2, but... why > not > Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we know that)? > > Something very very good for us, to improve our target markets, and > products > that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the best database > engine", like they like to say.... > > Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this will be > possible, > and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from day-by-day > listen and see new products based in that technology, every week. When will > Informix be in strong and known products world? > > Best regards. > > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > -- Fernando Nunes Portugal http://informix-technology.blogspot.com My email works... but I don't check it frequently... --f46d043be17c96f94204d2ecc246
Yes Fernando! That are good news. Even a better SQL support, to ease a migration process, would be very nice. I realize some functions are not easy to go, like DECODE, etc... and unfortunately, our ANSI SQL is not so used, as we like, in other engines. Thanks a lot for your explanations, and your point of view, Fernando. Regards. Alexandre Marini IBM Informix Certified Professional v10 / v11.50 / v11.70 IBM Information Management Informix Technical Professional IBM Infosphere DataStage Technical Professional Informix Senior DBA - Orizon Brasil BRIUG website administrator Informix independent consultant > To: ids@iiug.org > From: domusonline@gmail.com > Subject: Re: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29251] > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:37:14 -0500 > > I have no inside information (and if I had I wouldn't be able to discuss it > naturally). But 11.70.FC6 includes a datablade that implements some > functions of some Oracle PL/SQL packages. I see no reason why this couldn't > be enhanced in the future. > I have a *personal* opinion about this "compatibility" question... It's not > IBM official position and It's very debatable of course... > The so called compatibility appeals to existing customers. And an existing > customer will only change if one of two situations occurs: > - The competitor is "squeezing" the customer > - The customer is really, truly annoyed with the level of support it gets > from the supplier > > In any case, customers are very risk averse, meaning they'll do almost > anything to avoid migration risks. So... > In case 1) most situations end up with the competitor lowering the costs > and the customers choose the less risk option (stay with what they have) > Case 2) is very, very rare in my experience. > > So, my personal opinion is that the compatibility features will not help > too much... But of course, we should split these into at least two areas: > > 1- SQL compatibility (not functions, but SQL syntax). > This is important and we've been working on that. Expect more features in > the future versions. This means functionality that can be used by 3rd party > companies and this could allow more companies to support Informix > > 2- "simple" SQL functions that we currently don't have/support. > Most of the times they can easily be implemented and the idea of putting > them into a datablade seems good to me. The problem is that sometimes these > functions require some processing on the internal engine implementation and > can't easily be done in User Defined Functions (UDRs) > > Regards. > > On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM, ALEXANDRE MARINI <alexandre@briug.org>wrote: > > > Hello, friends. > > I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB2, but... why > > not > > Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we know that)? > > > > Something very very good for us, to improve our target markets, and > > products > > that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the best database > > engine", like they like to say.... > > > > Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this will be > > possible, > > and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from day-by-day > > listen and see new products based in that technology, every week. When will > > Informix be in strong and known products world? > > > > Best regards. > > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > > -- > Fernando Nunes > Portugal > > http://informix-technology.blogspot.com > My email works... but I don't check it frequently... > > --f46d043be17c96f94204d2ecc246 > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. >
Just out of curiousity what other functions are you looking for? It always helps to have a list from our customers. John F. Miller III STSM, Embedability Architect miller3@us.ibm.com ids-bounces@iiug.org wrote on 01/10/2013 03:08:53 AM: > From: "Alexandre Marini" <alexandre@briug.org> > To: ids@iiug.org > Date: 01/10/2013 03:11 AM > Subject: RE: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29252] > Sent by: ids-bounces@iiug.org > > Yes Fernando! That are good news. Even a better SQL support, to ease a > migration process, would be very nice. > > I realize some functions are not easy to go, like DECODE, etc... and > unfortunately, our ANSI SQL is not so used, as we like, in other engines. > > Thanks a lot for your explanations, and your point of view, Fernando. > Regards. > > Alexandre Marini > IBM Informix Certified Professional v10 / v11.50 / v11.70 > > IBM Information Management Informix Technical Professional > > IBM Infosphere DataStage Technical Professional > Informix Senior DBA - Orizon Brasil > BRIUG website administrator > Informix independent consultant > > > To: ids@iiug.org > > From: domusonline@gmail.com > > Subject: Re: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29251] > > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:37:14 -0500 > > > > I have no inside information (and if I had I wouldn't be able to discuss it > > naturally). But 11.70.FC6 includes a datablade that implements some > > functions of some Oracle PL/SQL packages. I see no reason why thiscouldn't > > be enhanced in the future. > > I have a *personal* opinion about this "compatibility" question...It's not > > IBM official position and It's very debatable of course... > > The so called compatibility appeals to existing customers. And an existing > > customer will only change if one of two situations occurs: > > - The competitor is "squeezing" the customer > > - The customer is really, truly annoyed with the level of support it gets > > from the supplier > > > > In any case, customers are very risk averse, meaning they'll do almost > > anything to avoid migration risks. So... > > In case 1) most situations end up with the competitor lowering the costs > > and the customers choose the less risk option (stay with what they have) > > Case 2) is very, very rare in my experience. > > > > So, my personal opinion is that the compatibility features will not help > > too much... But of course, we should split these into at least two areas: > > > > 1- SQL compatibility (not functions, but SQL syntax). > > This is important and we've been working on that. Expect more features in > > the future versions. This means functionality that can be used by 3rd party > > companies and this could allow more companies to support Informix > > > > 2- "simple" SQL functions that we currently don't have/support. > > Most of the times they can easily be implemented and the idea of putting > > them into a datablade seems good to me. The problem is that sometimes these > > functions require some processing on the internal engine implementation and > > can't easily be done in User Defined Functions (UDRs) > > > > Regards. > > > > On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM, ALEXANDRE MARINI > <alexandre@briug.org>wrote: > > > > > Hello, friends. > > > I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB2, > but... why > > > not > > > Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we know that)? > > > > > > Something very very good for us, to improve our target markets, and > > > products > > > that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the bestdatabase > > > engine", like they like to say.... > > > > > > Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this will be > > > possible, > > > and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from day-by-day > > > listen and see new products based in that technology, every week. When > will > > > Informix be in strong and known products world? > > > > > > Best regards. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Fernando Nunes > > Portugal > > > > http://informix-technology.blogspot.com > > My email works... but I don't check it frequently... > > > > --f46d043be17c96f94204d2ecc246 > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. >
Hello John. Actually, I didn´t convert any Orc database to Informix yet, but from SQL perspective, the most complicated and manually needed would be the DECODE function, the others are easy to see as a "language translator" perspective. (Of course I´ve already seen the migration RedBook). ;) Maybe some other users more experienced in this kind of job would contribute now... and post some others. But thanks a lot for letting us tell what should be important. Best Regards. Alexandre Marini IBM Informix Certified Professional v10 / v11.50 / v11.70 IBM Information Management Informix Technical Professional IBM Infosphere DataStage Technical Professional Informix Senior DBA - Orizon Brasil BRIUG website administrator Informix independent consultant > To: ids@iiug.org > From: miller3@us.ibm.com > Subject: RE: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29263] > Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:54:37 -0500 > > Just out of curiousity what other functions are you looking for? It always > helps > to have a list from our customers. > > John F. Miller III > STSM, Embedability Architect > miller3@us.ibm.com > > ids-bounces@iiug.org wrote on 01/10/2013 03:08:53 AM: > > > From: "Alexandre Marini" <alexandre@briug.org> > > To: ids@iiug.org > > Date: 01/10/2013 03:11 AM > > Subject: RE: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29252] > > Sent by: ids-bounces@iiug.org > > > > Yes Fernando! That are good news. Even a better SQL support, to ease a > > migration process, would be very nice. > > > > I realize some functions are not easy to go, like DECODE, etc... and > > unfortunately, our ANSI SQL is not so used, as we like, in other engines. > > > > > Thanks a lot for your explanations, and your point of view, Fernando. > > Regards. > > > > Alexandre Marini > > IBM Informix Certified Professional v10 / v11.50 / v11.70 > > > > IBM Information Management Informix Technical Professional > > > > IBM Infosphere DataStage Technical Professional > > Informix Senior DBA - Orizon Brasil > > BRIUG website administrator > > Informix independent consultant > > > > > To: ids@iiug.org > > > From: domusonline@gmail.com > > > Subject: Re: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29251] > > > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:37:14 -0500 > > > > > > I have no inside information (and if I had I wouldn't be able to > discuss it > > > naturally). But 11.70.FC6 includes a datablade that implements some > > > functions of some Oracle PL/SQL packages. I see no reason why > thiscouldn't > > > be enhanced in the future. > > > I have a *personal* opinion about this "compatibility" question...It's > not > > > IBM official position and It's very debatable of course... > > > The so called compatibility appeals to existing customers. And an > existing > > > customer will only change if one of two situations occurs: > > > - The competitor is "squeezing" the customer > > > - The customer is really, truly annoyed with the level of support it > gets > > > from the supplier > > > > > > In any case, customers are very risk averse, meaning they'll do almost > > > anything to avoid migration risks. So... > > > In case 1) most situations end up with the competitor lowering the > costs > > > and the customers choose the less risk option (stay with what they > have) > > > Case 2) is very, very rare in my experience. > > > > > > So, my personal opinion is that the compatibility features will not > help > > > too much... But of course, we should split these into at least two > areas: > > > > > > 1- SQL compatibility (not functions, but SQL syntax). > > > This is important and we've been working on that. Expect more features > in > > > the future versions. This means functionality that can be used by 3rd > party > > > companies and this could allow more companies to support Informix > > > > > > 2- "simple" SQL functions that we currently don't have/support. > > > Most of the times they can easily be implemented and the idea of > putting > > > them into a datablade seems good to me. The problem is that sometimes > these > > > functions require some processing on the internal engine implementation > and > > > can't easily be done in User Defined Functions (UDRs) > > > > > > Regards. > > > > > > On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM, ALEXANDRE MARINI > > <alexandre@briug.org>wrote: > > > > > > > Hello, friends. > > > > I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB2, > > but... why > > > > not > > > > Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we know that)? > > > > > > > > > Something very very good for us, to improve our target markets, and > > > > products > > > > that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the > bestdatabase > > > > engine", like they like to say.... > > > > > > > > Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this will be > > > > possible, > > > > and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from > day-by-day > > > > listen and see new products based in that technology, every week. > When > > will > > > > Informix be in strong and known products world? > > > > > > > > Best regards. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Fernando Nunes > > > Portugal > > > > > > http://informix-technology.blogspot.com > > > My email works... but I don't check it frequently... > > > > > > --f46d043be17c96f94204d2ecc246 > > > > > > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > > > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > ******************************************************************************* > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. >
I am a little confused, or maybe you had not heard, but the decode is available to be used in SQL statements starting with version 11.10. John F. Miller III STSM, Embedability Architect miller3@us.ibm.com IBM Informix Dynamic Server (IDS) ids-bounces@iiug.org wrote on 01/11/2013 10:01:26 AM: > From: "Alexandre Marini" <alexandre@briug.org> > To: ids@iiug.org > Date: 01/11/2013 10:03 AM > Subject: RE: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29267] > Sent by: ids-bounces@iiug.org > > Hello John. > Actually, I didn=B4t convert any Orc database to Informix yet, but fr= om SQL > perspective, the most complicated and manually needed would be the DE= CODE > function, the others are easy to see as a "language translator" perspective. > (Of course I=B4ve already seen the migration RedBook). ;) > > Maybe some other users more experienced in this kind of job would contribute > now... and post some others. > > But thanks a lot for letting us tell what should be important. > Best Regards. > > Alexandre Marini > IBM Informix Certified Professional v10 / v11.50 / v11.70 > > IBM Information Management Informix Technical Professional > > IBM Infosphere DataStage Technical Professional > Informix Senior DBA - Orizon Brasil > BRIUG website administrator > Informix independent consultant > > > To: ids@iiug.org > > From: miller3@us.ibm.com > > Subject: RE: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29263] > > Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:54:37 -0500 > > > > Just out of curiousity what other functions are you looking for? It= always > > helps > > to have a list from our customers. > > > > John F. Miller III > > STSM, Embedability Architect > > miller3@us.ibm.com > > > > ids-bounces@iiug.org wrote on 01/10/2013 03:08:53 AM: > > > > > From: "Alexandre Marini" <alexandre@briug.org> > > > To: ids@iiug.org > > > Date: 01/10/2013 03:11 AM > > > Subject: RE: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [29252]= > > > Sent by: ids-bounces@iiug.org > > > > > > Yes Fernando! That are good news. Even a better SQL support, to e= ase a > > > migration process, would be very nice. > > > > > > I realize some functions are not easy to go, like DECODE, etc... = and > > > unfortunately, our ANSI SQL is not so used, as we like, in otherengines. > > > > > > > > Thanks a lot for your explanations, and your point of view, Ferna= ndo. > > > Regards. > > > > > > Alexandre Marini > > > IBM Informix Certified Professional v10 / v11.50 / v11.70 > > > > > > IBM Information Management Informix Technical Professional > > > > > > IBM Infosphere DataStage Technical Professional > > > Informix Senior DBA - Orizon Brasil > > > BRIUG website administrator > > > Informix independent consultant > > > > > > > To: ids@iiug.org > > > > From: domusonline@gmail.com > > > > Subject: Re: What about pl-sql support, conversions, etc? [2925= 1] > > > > Date: Thu, 10 Jan 2013 05:37:14 -0500 > > > > > > > > I have no inside information (and if I had I wouldn't be able t= o > > discuss it > > > > naturally). But 11.70.FC6 includes a datablade that implements = some > > > > functions of some Oracle PL/SQL packages. I see no reason why > > thiscouldn't > > > > be enhanced in the future. > > > > I have a *personal* opinion about this "compatibility" question...It's > > not > > > > IBM official position and It's very debatable of course... > > > > The so called compatibility appeals to existing customers. And = an > > existing > > > > customer will only change if one of two situations occurs: > > > > - The competitor is "squeezing" the customer > > > > - The customer is really, truly annoyed with the level of suppo= rt it > > gets > > > > from the supplier > > > > > > > > In any case, customers are very risk averse, meaning they'll do= almost > > > > anything to avoid migration risks. So... > > > > In case 1) most situations end up with the competitor lowering = the > > costs > > > > and the customers choose the less risk option (stay with what t= hey > > have) > > > > Case 2) is very, very rare in my experience. > > > > > > > > So, my personal opinion is that the compatibility features will= not > > help > > > > too much... But of course, we should split these into at least = two > > areas: > > > > > > > > 1- SQL compatibility (not functions, but SQL syntax). > > > > This is important and we've been working on that. Expect more features > > in > > > > the future versions. This means functionality that can be used = by 3rd > > party > > > > companies and this could allow more companies to support Inform= ix > > > > > > > > 2- "simple" SQL functions that we currently don't have/support.= > > > > Most of the times they can easily be implemented and the idea o= f > > putting > > > > them into a datablade seems good to me. The problem is that sometimes > > these > > > > functions require some processing on the internal engine implementation > > and > > > > can't easily be done in User Defined Functions (UDRs) > > > > > > > > Regards. > > > > > > > > On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 9:19 AM, ALEXANDRE MARINI > > > <alexandre@briug.org>wrote: > > > > > > > > > Hello, friends. > > > > > I realize IBM has keep improving the Orcl integration into DB= 2, > > > but... why > > > > > not > > > > > Informix has something similar (better, I mean.... but we kno= w that)? > > > > > > > > > > > > Something very very good for us, to improve our target market= s, and > > > > > products > > > > > that were used in that "dark side", like it was always "the > > bestdatabase > > > > > engine", like they like to say.... > > > > > > > > > > Hope someone of our IBMer friends could let us know if this w= ill be > > > > > possible, > > > > > and when, would be a great answer for us, users and DBAs from= > > day-by-day > > > > > listen and see new products based in that technology, every w= eek. > > When > > > will > > > > > Informix be in strong and known products world? > > > > > > > > > > Best regards. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ***********************************************************************= ******** > > > > > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the discussion forum. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > > > Fernando Nunes > > > > Portugal > > > > > > > > http://informix-technology.blogspot.com > > > > My email works... but I don't check it frequently... > > > > > > > > --f46d043be17c96f94204d2ecc246 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ***********************************************************************= ******** > > > > > > Forum Note: Use "Reply" to post a response in the disc