Automatic conversion of ifx_loc_t (TEXT/BYTE) to/from ifx_lo_t (CLOB/BLOB)
Sebastien Flaesch asked whether ESQL/C or the server could convert automatically between TEXT/BYTE locators and CLOB/BLOB columns. Art Kagel said strings can be inserted into CLOBs from 14.10.XC2 but TEXT/BYTE to BLOB/CLOB is not supported, and pointed to the RFE site. Andreas Legner and Eric Vercelletto gave the current Aha ideas portal, where Sebastien posted the request.
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Hello, We have legacy ESQL/C code using ifx_loc_t to handle TEXT/BYTE columns. Customers want now to replace TEXT/BYTE by CLOB/BLOB columns... and we would avoid to touch our ESQL/C code. Informix can support simple type conversion. For example, when binding an (int) C sqlvar to insert data into a VARCHAR column, and it can fetch a varchar value into an int, as long as the string represents a valid integer... same for dates, decimals... as long as conversion rules are satisfied. It would save us a lot of work, if Informix could do the same conversion between TEXT/BYTE sqlvar (ifx_loc_t) and CLOB/BLOB columns in the database! The only need we have is to insert/update complete TEXT/BYTE variables in the client program to CLOB/BLOB columns, or to fetch as a whole the CLOB/BLOB data into TEXT/BYTE variables. We do not need to handle CLOB/BLOB pieces. If the CLOB/BLOB does not fit into a TEXT/BYTE locator, just raise an overflow error... IBM/HCL people: Any chance to have ESQL/C or the server do the job for us? Seb ------------------------------ SEBASTIEN SF FLAESCH ------------------------------ #Informix
You can insert ordinary STRING type data directly into a CLOB type as of v14.10.XC2. As far as I know there is no way to go directly between BYTE/TEXT and BLOB/CLOB. ------------------------------ Art Kagel ------------------------------
Thank you Art for your answer, But I want to make sure that this request goes to IBM/HCL dev team. Is this the right place or should I rather open a case in the IBM support portal? Seb ------------------------------ SEBASTIEN SF FLAESCH ------------------------------
Go to the IBM Request for Enhancement (RFE) site. You can get there from the <Resources> menu pull-down on the IIUG Website!
Art, I have created a request but I could not find Informix in the product list... So I have used IBM AIX, https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/rfe/execute?use_case=viewRfe&CR_ID=142665 I suspect IBM removed Informix from the product list since HCL took over. https://www.virtual-dba.com/explaining-the-ibm-hcl-partnership/ I will try: https://www.hcltech.com/software/informix-product-support Seb ------------------------------ SEBASTIEN SF FLAESCH ------------------------------
"could not find Informix" indeed is unfortunate (and IBM AIX won't be of much use, I'm afraid). Using this link , then choosing " I want to specify the brand, product family, and product", would allow you to select "Analytics Platform" -> "Informix", but the only product found there would be "Genero", which is kind of questionable too. The truth that all this is hiding from you is that RFE (for Data & AI) nowadays is AHA , and specifically https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/?project=INFX. ------------------------------ Andreas Legner ------------------------------
Thank you Andreas... Suggestion posted: https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/ideas/INFX-I-373 Seb PS: I spend more time on registering on forums and web sites, and figuring out where to download software, as doing real coding. I assume board of directors and decision makers will realize that, once all real developers gave up. ------------------------------ SEBASTIEN SF FLAESCH ------------------------------
Somebody messed up. Neither Informix nor DB2 are listed as products in the RFE site any longer. I will get that fixed! Art
HCL never took over Informix, where did you see this information? HCL is a subcontractor of IBM to run the R&D and the maintenance of the product. IBM is the owner of Informix Eric Vercelletto KandooERP Founder and Community Manager www: https://kandooerp.org IBM Champion 2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 Mob : +33(0)626 52 50 68 skype: begooden-it Google Hangout: eric.vercelletto@begooden-it.com Email: ericv@kandooerp.org
For RFE, the URL has change about one year ago, or more This is the right one https://ibm-data-and-ai.ideas.aha.io/?project=INFX