BladeSmith

You use BladeSmith to begin creating your DataBlade module, such as defining its contents and generating files and source code.

BladeSmith guides you through object definition with wizard pages. BladeSmith automates many of the tasks of object creation, such as writing the SQL statements necessary to define objects in the database.

Using BladeSmith, you create a project for your DataBlade module and then add or define the following types of objects for your module:

User-defined objects: Includes aggregates, casts, errors, interfaces, routines, and data types.
Files: Can be custom SQL statements or files necessary for a client.
Imported objects: Includes built-in data types and interfaces from other DataBlade modules.

After you specify the user-defined objects, imported objects, and files you want to include in your DataBlade module, use BladeSmith to generate the files you need for compiling a shared object file or dynamic link library, managing a DataBlade module in your HCL Informix® database server, testing object functionality, and creating installation packaging files. These categories of files are described in the following table.

Type of generated file	Description
Source code	You use these files to create a shared library file. They can include source code files, header files, Visual C++ workspace and project files, and makefiles.
SQL script	These files contain the SQL statements that support the DataBlade modules in the database system tables. They include prepare scripts that describe the DataBlade module and object scripts that describe the DataBlade objects.
Test	You use unit test files to test your database objects while you code and debug your DataBlade module on Windows. You use functional test files to test the positive and negative operation of user-defined routines, opaque data type support routines, and casts when your DataBlade module is complete.
Packaging	You use these files with BladePack to generate installation and executable files.

The generated source code files contain routine definitions. BladeSmith generates complete code for some routines, such as basic opaque data type support routines. BladeSmith generates code templates for other types of routines, such as user-defined routines. You must add code to these routines to implement the functionality you require. The areas of the generated source code that need modification are marked with TO DO: comments.

When your code is complete, you compile it into a file that the database server can interpret.

For instructions, see the HCL Informix DataBlade Developers Kit User's Guide or the tutorial in the information center.