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Extending Informix®Beyond standard relational database objects, HCL Informix® can be extended to handle specialized data types, access methods, routines, and other objects. Informix® includes many built-in extensions that are fully integrated in the database server. Informix® also provides DataBlade® modules, which are packages of extended database objects for a particular purpose and that are installed separately from the database server. Alternatively, you can create your own user-defined objects for Informix®.
Creating extensionsYou can create user-defined data types, routines, access methods, and other database objects to suit your needs. You can use application programming interfaces to write user-defined routines and applications that access data in Informix® databases.
DataBlade® Developers KitThe DataBlade® Developers Kit (DBDK) guides contain information about the tools you can use to develop and package DataBlade® modules, which extend the functionality of HCL Informix® databases.
DataBlade® Developers Kit User's GuideThe HCL Informix® DataBlade® Developers Kit User's Guide describes how to use tools to develop and package DataBlade® modules.
Create DataBlade® objects by using BladeSmithUse BladeSmith to create DataBlade® modules.
Create DataBlade® module objectsBladeSmith uses wizards to create and edit objects.
Create data typesYou can create extended data types in BladeSmith. In addition, you must define qualified built-in data types before you can use them in a BladeSmith project.
Opaque data typeAn opaque data type is a C structure or C++/ActiveX class. The database server does not interpret the contents of the structure. Instead, it calls support routines that you provide to manipulate the structure.
Definition of internal structureYou can specify an undefined internal structure for an opaque data type with a server implementation in C or Java™.

Definition of internal structure

You can specify an undefined internal structure for an opaque data type with a server implementation in C or Java™.

The internal structure of the opaque data type is not known to the database server. The support routines you define for the opaque data type operate on the internal structure.

If you define the internal structure of your opaque data type to BladeSmith, BladeSmith generates useful code for it. If you do not specify the internal structure, BladeSmith generates code that operates as if your opaque data type is a stream of bytes.

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