DataBlade Module Development Overview

DataBlade Module Development Overview
Chapter 2: Building a DataBlade Module

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DataBlade Module Development Resources

The DataBlade Developers Kit includes various resources to help you learn about and develop DataBlade Modules, discussed in the following subsections:

The DataBlade Developers Kit InfoShelf

The DataBlade Developers Kit InfoShelf is a set of HTML documents included with the DataBlade Developer Kit software.

The DataBlade Developers Kit InfoShelf can be launched from the BladeSmith Help menu or started independently from the Informix program group.

The InfoShelf provides the following information in HTML format:

The Tutorial

The DataBlade Developers Kit Tutorial is a set of HTML documents that you access through the DataBlade Developers Kit InfoShelf.

The tutorial consists of step-by-step exercises that demonstrate how to create extensions to Informix Dynamic Server as DataBlade modules.

The first exercise demonstrates a very simple DataBlade module so that you can focus on learning the mechanics of BladeSmith and BladeManager without being distracted by complex coding. All tutorial users should start with exercise 1.

Subsequent exercises demonstrate how to create DataBlade modules and debug them. Each exercise is more complex than the previous one; you can choose to either work through the exercises sequentially, or just pick the ones that interest you.

Example DataBlade Modules

Example DataBlade modules are included with the DataBlade Developers Kit software. Example DataBlade modules are in the %INFORMIXDIR%\
dbdk\examples directory. The InfoShelf has descriptions of the example DataBlade modules with links to Read Me files and source code.

The example DataBlade modules are frequently updated. The topics you might find covered in the example DataBlade modules include:

Client. Using extended data types with ESQL/C and C++ client programs.
Index. Using an R-tree secondary access method.
Routines. Using user-defined routines written with the DataBlade API and using MMX technology.
Types. Using extended data types with support routines written with the DataBlade API, using MMX technology, and implementing as ActiveX value objects.

The Informix Developer Network

The Informix Developer Network Web site is designed to provide you with the technical information, tools, forums, and links to relevant information that you need when using Informix products.

The DataBlade Developers Kit InfoShelf contains links to the Informix Developer Network Web site. The Web site URL is:

http://www.informix.com/idn

This page has a link to the DataBlade Developers' Corner, which is of particular interest to DataBlade module developers. The goal of the DataBlade Developers' Corner is to answer questions asked by DataBlade developers. The information in the DataBlade Developers' Corner is frequently updated. The type of information you might find in the DataBlade Developers' Corner includes:

Getting started. Lists software, documentation, and training resources, and describes how to install and set up the requisite software.
DataBlade modules and Informix Dynamic Server. Includes descriptions of the interaction between DataBlade modules and Informix Dynamic Server, and how to debug DataBlade modules.
DataBlade API. Includes tips and code examples, from snippets to complete DataBlade modules, using the DataBlade API.
Data types. Describes the data types you can use with Informix Dynamic Server, such as extended data types and smart large objects.

DataBlade Module Development Overview, version 3.6
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