PRESS: INFORMIX ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL JAVA STRATEGY

INFORMIX ANNOUNCES UNIVERSAL JAVA STRATEGY SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Java One Conference (March 24, 1998) =96 Informix Corporation (NASDAQ:IFMX), the leading provider of innovative database technology, today announced a comprehensive strategy for universal integration and deployment of Java and Enterprise JavaBeans with Informix(R) Dynamic Server(TM). The Informix strategy for Java is comprised of four major enhancements to the company=92s industry leading extensible database, that will leverage the interoperability and component-based capabilities of Java. These four areas of enhancements include: =B7 Java Enterprise Components =96 Informix will extend the Informix= database to allow developers to invoke JavaBeans from within the Informix database, and enable Informix Dynamic Server to act as a container for the deployment of Enterprise JavaBeans.=20 =B7 Java Extensibility =96 Informix will provide support for the Java= Virtual Machine in the Informix database so that Java components can be deployed in the database, and Java developers can implement DataBlade=AE modules written in Java.=20 =B7 Java Interoperability =96 Informix will provide support for a Java= Virtual Table Interface in the Informix database so that customers can integrate and access external Java objects or components within the database. =20 =B7 Java Standards =96 Informix will provide support for Java industry standards, JDBC 2.0 and SQLJ. "Informix=92s support for Java gives Informix customers and Java developers= a consistent enterprise development and deployment environment that allows for increased performance and integrity for their Java applications," said Mike Saranga, senior vice president, Product Development and Management, Informix. "As Java continues to move into the enterprise, Informix will be there to lead the industry with solutions that natively integrate Java within Informix Dynamic Server, creating a unique synergy of these powerful technologies." =20 Java In Informix Dynamic Server By extending the capabilities of Informix Dynamic Server to enable a Java Virtual Machine to run as a virtual process within the Informix database, Java developers will be able to execute Java business logic, Java applets, JavaBeans, Java DataBlade(R) modules and Java stored procedures directly in the database. Java developers can achieve increased performance of their applications by executing Java components closer to the data when needed and take advantage of security and integrity features inherent in the Informix database. Informix will also be extending the Informix DataBlade Developer Kit (DBDK) to support Java. Using the Java DBDK, Java developers will be able to write DataBlade modules in Java and allow those DataBlade modules to interoperate with other DataBlade technologies or datatypes as well as interoperate with other Java components within the database. Interoperability Support Through The Java Virtual Table Interface The Virtual Table Interface, currently available today with Universal Data Option, enables customers to extend Universal Data Option to virtually access any external data or objects and integrate them into the database and have them appear as though they originated in the Informix database. For example, a customer who relies on Excel spreadsheets for data analysis would like to be able to "relate" the data that resides in these spreadsheets with other information that is stored in database tables. The Virtual Table Interface (VTI) enables customers to integrate their Excel spreadsheet data with database data and make it "appear" to the user or an application as though the data were in a database table.=20 By extending VTI to Java, Informix enables the customer to integrate Java with the Informix database making it easier to access and use Enterprise Java Beans and other Java objects. Magnet Interactive, an Informix partner based in Washington, DC, uses a variety of Informix technologies to serve large corporations such as Federal Express, Kellogg=92s and Radisson. "Informix=92s support of Java components in the database extends our service capability to our customers by allowing us to use, reuse and port our existing Java applications, components and objects, and port them to any platform our customers need," said Basel Dalloul, chairman and CEO at Magnet Interactive. "Java in Informix will give us the added scalability, portability and interoperability needed to get our applications up and running faster, with little or no recoding of the database application." Informix as an Enterprise JavaBean Container Informix plans to extend Universal Data Option so that it can act as an Enterprise JavaBean container, providing control functionality for a JavaBean. This will enable Java programmers to view the Informix database as simply another JavaBean. Using this capability, the Java programmer needs to know very little, if any SQL to develop Informix database applications. "Informix is addressing the major pain-points in distributed computing for Java developers by making it easier to deploy, access and manage Java enterprise applications," said Wayne Kernochan, vice president, Commercial Systems Research, Aberdeen Group. "Informix=92s approach allows developers= to move the business logic closer to the data for better scalability, making it easier for Java programs to leverage the functionality of a powerful object-relational database, and provides an effective repository for key administrative data that can make Java applications easier to create and administer." Informix Implements Emerging Java Standards Informix plans to support both the JDBC 2.0 and SQLJ standards. JDBC 2.0 addresses Java applications, objects or components and their connectivity to access relational and object/relational databases. SQLJ is an emerging specification for embedding SQL in Java =96 simplifying the development process for database developers that want to integrate Java processing that occurs in the database. Availability The Universal Data Option with Java Virtual Machine capability is scheduled for beta test in the second quarter of 1998 with general availability planned for end of year1998. Informix plans to release the Java Virtual Table Interface and enhanced Enterprise JavaBean support, in addition to JDBC 2.0 and SQLJ support by end of year 1998.=20 About Informix Informix Corporation, the world=92s database technology leader, based in Menlo Park, California, provides innovative database products that assist the world=92s major corporations to attain competitive advantage. Informix= is widely recognized as the technology leader for corporate computing environments ranging from small workgroups to very large parallel processing applications. Informix=92s database servers, application development tools, superior customer service, and strong partnerships enable the company to be at the forefront of major information technology solution areas including data warehousing, OLTP, and Web/content management. For more information visit our Web site at http://www.informix.com.=20