Moving from Informix

Posted in 2003

Peta Cowan — Fri, 16 May 2003 16:18:42 +0930 — source: Usenet: comp.databases.informix

This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C31BC6.D17D9A10 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Since the acquisition of Informix by IBM there has been much talk about the future of Informix and how long IBM will continue to support it. I don t know the answer to that question, but I am predicting that eventually many Informix users will consider moving to another database DB2, Oracle, etc for whatever reason. I am currently working on a J2EE Application Assembly Tool that would also act as an integration tool capable of importing the database schema directly from Informix, then uses the Application Assembly Tool to re-build the application on the J2EE framework. With J2EE being platform and database independent users would then be free to deploy their new application to their chosen database (DB2, Oracle?) However, my project has a number of stages which I need to prioritise as I can't do everything at once. I am hoping to gain some advice from this group as to whether it is a worthwhile project to pursue and where my priorities should be if I go ahead. Q1: In principal, would this tool be attractive to other Informix users? Q2: What do you feel are the shortcomings in using Informix? Q3: For what reason(s) would you move away from Informix Currently my RAD tool includes the following features (as well as the integration application tool): 1) Business Rules: Manages the rules and relationships of the business model. An existing business model can be imported from an existing legacy database. 2) UI Layer Provides a HTML client and a templating mechanism so that the user can implement their own style/headers/footers etc for each client. 3) Hooks: Allow developers to extend the capability of the Application Assembly Tool using custom components which may be Javabeans, EJBs, JSPs, Web Services, static HTML pages etc. 4) Application Packager Enables developers to collate all of their business logic, database logic and visual screens into a single EAR for deployment. 5) Reporting: Provides configurable reports and statements based on datasets Q4: Are these features enough for you to consider using my Application Assembly Tool? Q5: If so, what features are most attractive to you? Q6: If not, what additional features would be required for you to consider using my Application Assembly Tool? Your response is very much appreciated Thanks Peta (peta.cowan@prophecy-open.com.au) ------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C31BC6.D17D9A10 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV=3D"Content-Type" CONTENT=3D"text/html; = charset=3Dus-ascii"> <meta name=3DGenerator content=3D"Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=3DEN-AU link=3Dblue vlink=3Dpurple> <div class=3DSection1> Since the acquisition of Informix by IBM there has = been much talk about the future of Informix and how long IBM will continue to = support it. I don t know the answer to that question, but I am predicting that = eventually many Informix users will consider moving to another database DB2, = Oracle, etc for whatever reason. I am currently working on a J2EE Application Assembly Tool that would also = act as an integration tool capable of importing the database schema directly from Informix, then uses the Application Assembly Tool to re-build the = application on the J2EE framework. With J2EE being platform and database independent = users would then be free to deploy their new application to their chosen = database (DB2, Oracle?) However, my project has a number of stages which I need to prioritise as I can't = do everything at once. I am hoping to gain some advice from this group as = to whether it is a worthwhile project to pursue and where my priorities = should be if I go ahead. Q1: In principal, would this tool be attractive to other Informix = users? Q2: What do you feel are the shortcomings in using Informix? Q3: For what reason(s) would you move away from Informix Currently my RAD tool includes the following features (as well as the integration application tool): 1) Business Rules: Manages the rules and relationships of the business model. An existing = business model can be imported from an existing legacy database. 2) UI Layer Provides a HTML client and a templating mechanism so = that the user can implement their own style/headers/footers etc for each = client. 3) Hooks: Allow developers to extend the capability of the = Application Assembly Tool using custom components which may be Javabeans, EJBs, = JSPs, Web Services, static HTML pages etc. 4) Application Packager Enable

↪ replying to Peta Cowan

Andy Lennard — Fri, 16 May 2003 10:19:45 +0100 — source: Usenet: comp.databases.informix

In message <ba231u$r4g$1@terabinaries.xmission.com>, Peta Cowan <peta.cowan@prophecy-open.com.au> writes > >This is a multi-part message in MIME format. > >------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C31BC6.D17D9A10 >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="us-ascii" >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >Since the acquisition of Informix by IBM there has been much talk about >the future of Informix and how long IBM will continue to support it. I >don t know the answer to that question, but I am predicting that >eventually many Informix users will consider moving to another database >DB2, Oracle, etc for whatever reason. > Your original post seemed to comprise 2 distinct parts. I'm Java-naive, so I'll not attempt the technical part. I'll also assume the other part of your query isn't a troll, and answer as best I can. Also, I originally responded to what I thought was a single post to euro-ug@iiug.org. I wish you hadn't individually cross-posted to all the iug.org lists, and here too. Another suggestion that I'm sure others will make is 'don't post MIME'. I was present at a presentation yesterday by Gary Proctor of IBM/Informix. He stressed that very active development of IDS was continuing, and if anything it was proceeding faster as a result of the acquisition. He said that there was evidence of code exchange between the IDS and DB2 engines and that this was made easier and more productive because the engineers were part of the same team. He presented an IDS (et al) development road-map, and said that recent targets had been met to schedule. He stated that large application vendors who had been reluctant to certify onto Informix since the acquisition were now seeking to do so as the user-base were so committed to remaining with the Informix engine. He re-stated that support for Informix would continue for as long as people wanted it. I'm sure that even the most fervent Informix supporter considers whether the choice of engine is correct for their business. That is part of the job, and applies to all aspects of the technology we employ to enable our business to succeed. The message from Informix, and the one that has been repeated consistently since acquisition, is that you don't need to change database engines for the reason that IBM is withdrawing support. -- Andrew Lennard andy@kontron.demon.co.uk

↪ replying to Andy Lennard

Daniel Morgan — Fri, 16 May 2003 08:38:49 -0700 — source: Usenet: comp.databases.informix

Andy Lennard wrote: > In message <ba231u$r4g$1@terabinaries.xmission.com>, Peta Cowan > <peta.cowan@prophecy-open.com.au> writes > > > >This is a multi-part message in MIME format. > > > >------=_NextPart_000_0074_01C31BC6.D17D9A10 > >Content-Type: text/plain; > > charset="us-ascii" > >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > > >Since the acquisition of Informix by IBM there has been much talk about > >the future of Informix and how long IBM will continue to support it. I > >don t know the answer to that question, but I am predicting that > >eventually many Informix users will consider moving to another database > >DB2, Oracle, etc for whatever reason. > > > > Your original post seemed to comprise 2 distinct parts. I'm Java-naive, > so I'll not attempt the technical part. I'll also assume the other part > of your query isn't a troll, and answer as best I can. > > Also, I originally responded to what I thought was a single post to > euro-ug@iiug.org. I wish you hadn't individually cross-posted to all the > iug.org lists, and here too. Another suggestion that I'm sure others > will make is 'don't post MIME'. > > I was present at a presentation yesterday by Gary Proctor of > IBM/Informix. > > He stressed that very active development of IDS was continuing, and if > anything it was proceeding faster as a result of the acquisition. > > He said that there was evidence of code exchange between the IDS and DB2 > engines and that this was made easier and more productive because the > engineers were part of the same team. > > He presented an IDS (et al) development road-map, and said that recent > targets had been met to schedule. > > He stated that large application vendors who had been reluctant to > certify onto Informix since the acquisition were now seeking to do so as > the user-base were so committed to remaining with the Informix engine. > > He re-stated that support for Informix would continue for as long as > people wanted it. > > I'm sure that even the most fervent Informix supporter considers whether > the choice of engine is correct for their business. That is part of the > job, and applies to all aspects of the technology we employ to enable > our business to succeed. > > The message from Informix, and the one that has been repeated > consistently since acquisition, is that you don't need to change > database engines for the reason that IBM is withdrawing support. > > -- > Andrew Lennard andy@kontron.demon.co.uk All of which sounds good and is what Informix developers want to hear. At the same time it is ridiculous to think that IBM would support two essentially identical products to perform the exact same task and sold to the exact same market. Imagine the discussion with the prospective customer. IBM: We have two products that would work for you. Both use the same code base, perform the same tasks, have the same pricing, and run on all of the same hardware. Client: Which one should I buy. IBM: Doesn't matter. Take the one you find most attractive. Client: Then I'll take Oracle because my daughter's favorite color is red. Until I hear something that indicates a clear path to distinguish the products I have to assume one will go away. -- Daniel Morgan http://www.outreach.washington.edu/extinfo/certprog/oad/oad_crs.asp damorgan@x.washington.edu (replace 'x' with a 'u' to reply)

↪ replying to Daniel Morgan

David Williams — Fri, 16 May 2003 19:00:12 +0100 — source: Usenet: comp.databases.informix

"Daniel Morgan" <damorgan@exxesolutions.com> wrote in message news:3EC50609.7CEFD36B@exxesolutions.com... > > IBM: We have two products that would work for you. Both use the same code base, > perform the same tasks, have the same pricing, and run on all of the same > hardware. > Client: Which one should I buy. > IBM: Doesn't matter. Take the one you find most attractive. > Client: Then I'll take Oracle because my daughter's favorite color is red. I'll taking Informix because I'm an existing Informix customer?? I don't need to retrain..to unload and reload my data...to recode my applications to support another database...Sounds ok??