Overview of DataBlade module development

A DataBlade module is a software package that extends the functionality of HCL Informix®. It adds new database objects, such as data types and routines, that extend the SQL syntax and commands you can use with Informix.

Use the Informix DataBlade Developers Kit (DBDK) to create and package DataBlade modules. You define the new database objects that will be included in your DataBlade module, import objects from other modules, and generate the source code, SQL scripts, and installation scripts that make up your DataBlade module.

For example, you can use the DBDK to create a DataBlade module that contains spatial data types, such as polygons and circles. The module will probably also include a set of routines that operate on the data types, such as Area and Circumference.

Your DataBlade module might also include the required routines and operator class to enable users to create R-tree indexes on columns of the user-defined data type. This chapter describes how to add this functionality to your DataBlade module.

The DBDK automatically generates some of the C code and SQL scripts that make up a DataBlade module. This means that most DataBlade module developers do not need to write most of the SQL commands described in this chapter. The commands are provided, however, to better explain the concepts.

For more information about how to design and create DataBlade modules with the DBDK, refer to the HCL Informix DataBlade Developers Kit User's Guide.

Important: The examples in these topics are taken from the definition of the objects of the Shapes3 sample DataBlade module, described in Shapes3 sample DataBlade module. The topics provide both a description of the DataBlade module and the C code used to create the functions of the operator class.