How to create a DataBlade module

While the Informix® DataBlade Developers Kit (DBDK) tools run only on Windows, you can create DataBlade modules for both Windows 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 use to complete the tasks.

To perform this task	Use this tool on UNIX	Use this tool on Windows
Write the design and functional specifications.	Your word-processing program	Your word-processing program
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: Java software development kit	For C or C++ code: Microsoft Visual C++ For Java code: Java software development kit
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 Informix¹	For C or C++ code: DBDK Visual C++ Add-In Informix For Java code: BladeManager Informix¹
Debug your DataBlade module by running unit tests.	For C or C++ code: a debugging utility DB-Access or a client application Informix For Java code: the Java log file DB-Access or a client application Informix¹	For C or C++ code: Microsoft Visual C++ DBDK Visual C++ Add-In IfxQuery or other SQL query tool Informix For Java code: the Java log file an SQL query tool Informix¹
Validate your DataBlade module with functional tests.	For all code: DB-Access Informix¹	For all code: MKS Toolkit DB-Access Informix¹
Package your DataBlade module: Add examples, online 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 users guide, release notes, examples, and online help, as needed.	Your word-processing program	Your word-processing program

Notes:

You must use the J/Foundation option for HCL Informix to enable services that use Java. For more information about J/Foundation, see the HCL J/Foundation Developer's Guide.