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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.
Virtual-Table Interface GuideThe Informix® Virtual-Table Interface Programmer's Guide explains how to create a primary access method with the Virtual-Table Interface (VTI) so that users have a single SQL interface to HCL Informix® tables and to data that does not conform to the storage scheme of HCL Informix®.
Develop an access methodThese topics describe the steps that you take to implement a user-defined access method with the Virtual-Table Interface (VTI).
Testing the access methodTo test the access method, take the same actions that users of the access method take to create and access virtual data.
Create and specify storage spacesA storage space is a physical area where the table data is stored. To test how the access method builds new tables, you create a new physical storage space before you create the table. If the access method interfaces with legacy data, the storage spaces exist, usually in external storage.
Storing virtual data in an extspaceAn extspace lies outside the disk storage that is configured for the database server. To create a physical extspace, you might use an operating system command or use a data management software system.

Storing virtual data in an extspace

An extspace lies outside the disk storage that is configured for the database server. To create a physical extspace, you might use an operating system command or use a data management software system.

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An extspace can have a location other than a path or file name because the database server does not interpret the location. Only the access method uses the location information.

To store virtual data in an extspace, take one of the following actions:

Procedure

Create logical names for existing external storage with the onspaces utility. Then, specify the reserved name or names when you create a virtual table with the CREATE TABLE statement.
Directly specify an existing physical external storage location as a quoted string in the CREATE TABLE statement.
Provide a default physical external storage location, such as a disk file, in the access-method code.

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