Why Use the DataBlade Developers Kit?

Although you can create a DataBlade module manually, you can reduce development time considerably if you use the DataBlade Developers Kit.

Three graphical user interfaces are provided for DataBlade module development:

• BladeSmith. To create your DataBlade module.
• BladePack. To package your DataBlade module.
• BladeManager. To make your DataBlade module available in a database.

In addition, the DataBlade Developers Kit provides the following tools for debugging your DataBlade module on Windows:

• DBDK Visual C++ Add-In. To debug your DataBlade module within Microsoft Visual C++.
• IfxQuery. To execute SQL debugging tests from within Microsoft Visual C++.

The DataBlade Developers Kit reduces development time because it:

• uses wizards to guide you through complex SQL object creation options.
• generates the following types of files:
  • Complete SQL definitions for your database objects
  • Complete code, or code entry points for C, C++, and Java source code
  • Unit tests for debugging user-defined routines, opaque data type support routines, and cast support functions
  • Functional tests for validating user-defined routines, opaque data type support routines, and cast support functions
• automates creating an interactive installation program for UNIX and Windows operating systems

The source code generated by the DataBlade Developers Kit follows good coding practices for your Informix database server and ensures consistency among your user-defined routines.