11/14/1995

Informix general info.

Serial data type:
  This is informix's auto incrementing data type.

  When you create a Serial column you can seed the column to start at any
  value greater than 0; Create Table X (AutoInc Serial(100) Not Null).  If 
  no seed is specified the default is 1.  A Serial column must be Not Null.
  
  To insert the next highest integer value (max+1) insert nothing or a 0 <zero>
  into the column.  Any other value can be entered into this column If a value
  is 'forced' into this column that is greater than the last highest value,
  the next generated value will be 1 greater than the 'forced' value.

  Duplicate values can be forced into the columnd.  You must create a unique index
  on the serial column if you do not want duplicate values to occur.

 Delphi:
   You must use "refresh" to see the serial value of a inserted record.  This may cause
   focus to be lost.  The only way found so far to retrieve the serial value so that
   you can use "findkey" after the refresh is through calling the INET5 error structure.
   It may be necessary to write directly to the INET5 DB lib or ODBC driver.   

Synonyms:
   Synonyms in Informix let you span databases and even servers.  Criteria
   for creating a synonym that spans databases:

      The database where the synonym is created must be a non-ANSI database.
      When creating an Informix database you can specify ANSI; the database
      will not except Informix SQL extensions.

      The database where the synonym is created must also have a buffered log.
  

ISQL:
  We do not have a Windows based ISQL Informix application.  There is a DOS based ISQL
  on Interserver/IS:CLIENT/INFORMIX/DOS.  To use it you will need to set up the DOS 
  environment for Informix and run the TSR.

  A much better solution is to log onto your informix server using
  presentr.exe or some other telnet utility.  Use a login/password that is
  defined for the informix server.  Example
  Login:  name1
  Password: pass1

  You need to set an INFORMIXDIR variable and set your TERM to vt100, if it is not
  already.  Do the following,
  
     setenv TERM "vt100"
     setenv INFORMIXDIR "/sql/appl/informix5"

  Check the setting by typing,

     env

  Once this is done, change directories to the Informix bin directory.  On speedy
  it is,

    cd /sql/appl/informix5/bin

  Now run dbaccess by typing,

    dbaccess

  dbaccess is a typical ISQL application.  Dbaccess is menu driven; easy to use.
  Type <ctrl-w> to get help while in dbaccess.  


cjo 11/3/95
ID:CSxxxx