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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.
DBDK InfoShelfThe DataBlade® Developers Kit InfoShelf is designed to help you work with BladeSmith.
DataBlade® Developers Kit TutorialThe Tutorial is a set of exercises that demonstrate how to create extensions to HCL Informix® and package them as DataBlade® modules by using DBDK. Support for DataBlade Developers Kit (DBDK) is removed starting Informix Server 14.10.xC6.
GlossaryThis section contains additional reference information
Opaque data types

Opaque data types

An opaque data type is a C structure, which the database server does not interpret. Instead, the database server calls internal support routines that you provide to manipulate the structure. Opaque data types have an internal structure made up of members. Members can be built-in data types or other extended data types. Users cannot access the values of individual members from SQL; however, you can create accessor methods to manipulate opaque data type members.

For more information, see the Informix® User-Defined Routines and Data Types Developer's Guide.

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