Development tools

The creation of a C UDR involves the production of source code, header files, SQL statements, and many other files. These topics describes how to generate the code for C UDRs yourself, using the DataBlade API and the basic tools available with an operating system.

However, IBM® provides a package of development tools, called the Informix® DataBlade Developers Kit (DBDK), that helps you build and manage the C UDRs of a DataBlade module project.

A DataBlade module is a package of software that extends the functionality of the database server. It can include the following objects:

New or extended data types
UDRs
Error messages
Functional tests
Interfaces to other DataBlade modules
Packaging and installation scripts

The DBDK runs on Windows. The following table summarizes the development tools of the DBDK.

DBDK development tool	Description
BladeSmith	Provides an interactive wizard and generates code for many C UDRs Generates a project, with as much code as possible, including source for opaque-type support functions, header files, a makefile for compilation, SQL statements, and functional tests
BladePack	Understands the contents of a project that BladeSmith produces, enabling it to be extended to include documentation and online help Produces a releasable package for a DataBlade module
BladeManager	Understands the contents of the releasable package that BladePack creates, enabling it to install a DataBlade module in a database

These development tools include online help to describe their use. The HCL Informix DataBlade Developers Kit User's Guide is provided to describe these tools.

BladeSmith can develop source code and a makefile that can be compiled on UNIX or Linux.

Consider using the development tools of the DBDK to generate the initial code for your C UDRs. You can then use the information in this publication to enhance and change this code to handle the unique needs of your C UDR or DataBlade module.