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DataBlade Module Development Overview
Building a DataBlade Module

How to Create a DataBlade Module

While the DataBlade Developer Kit tools run only on Windows NT, you can create DataBlade modules for both Windows NT and UNIX operating systems for the C, C++, and Java languages. The tools you use on each operating system and for each programming language vary.

The following table describes, in order, the tasks needed to create a DataBlade module and the tools you should use to complete the tasks.

To Perform This Task Use This Tool on UNIX Use This Tool on Windows NT
Write the design and functional specifications. Your word processing program Your word processing program
If necessary, obtain error codes and the three-character DataBlade module identification code from Informix. Send email to registry@informix.com Send email to registry@informix.com
Create your DataBlade module:
  • Set up a project for your DataBlade module.
  • Import objects from other DataBlade modules.
  • Define new objects for your DataBlade module.
  • Add validation test data for your new routines, opaque types, and casts.
  • Generate source code, SQL scripts, installation files, and unit and functional test files.
    		• BladeSmith
    Edit the source code to add C, C++, or Java code for routines, as needed. Your development tool or text editor For C or C++ code: Microsoft Visual C++ For Java code: your development tool or text editor
    Compile your source code. For C or C++ code: your compiler For Java code: JDK 1.1 compiler For C or C++ code: Microsoft Visual C++ For Java code: JDK 1.1.x compiler
    Install your DataBlade module. Operating system copy command or FTP For C or C++ code: DBDK Visual C++ Add-In For Java code: operating system copy of FTP
    Register your DataBlade module in your test database. For all code:
  • BladeManager
  • Dynamic Server*
    		• For C or C++ code:
  • DBDK Visual C++ Add-In
  • Dynamic Server For Java code:
  • BladeManager
  • Dynamic Server*
    • Debug your DataBlade module by running unit tests. For C or C++ code:
  • a debugging utility
  • DB-Access or a client application
  • Dynamic Server For Java code:
  • the Java log file
  • DB-Access or a client application
  • Dynamic Server*
    		• For C or C++ code:
  • Microsoft Visual C++
  • DBDK Visual C++ Add-In
  • IfxQuery or other SQL query tool
  • Dynamic Server For Java code:
  • the Java log file
  • an SQL query tool
  • Dynamic Server*
    • Validate your DataBlade module with functional tests. For all code:
  • DB-Access
  • Dynamic Server*
    		• For all code:
  • MKS Toolkit
  • DB-Access
  • Dynamic Server*
    • Package your DataBlade module:
  • Add examples, on-line help files, and any other files you want to include to the project.
  • Define any additional components for a selective installation.
  • Perform optional customizations for installation packages.
  • Build the installation package.
    		• BladePack
    Transfer files to the installation media. Your operating system Your operating system
    Document your DataBlade module with a user's guide, release notes, examples, and on-line help, as needed. Your word processing program Your word processing program
    Have your DataBlade module certified by Informix. (Optional) Informix DataBlade Partners Program Informix DataBlade Partners Program
    * You must use the Informix J/Foundation upgrade to Informix Dynamic Server 2000 to enable services that use Java. For more information about Informix J/Foundation, see the manual Creating UDRs in Java.

    DataBlade Module Development Overview, Version 4.0
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