Informix Software Inc, Menlo Park, California, has been talking more about its planned object oriented and distributed database management software currently under development. Both technologies will be incorporated into the current Informix SQL based product line, which will then become the foundation of an integrated product line that incorporates both office automation and database technology, according to the company, formed recently as the result of a merger between Informix Corp and office automation specialists Innovative Software. Object oriented features will allow users to store any type of file, such as a spreadsheet, facsimile, digitised image or word processing document in the database, supporting the Binary Large Objects – dubbed BLOBS for heaven’s sake – format. Users will also be able to specify a character field of any length, eliminating the restrictions of fixed length fields – no more worries about the move to nine from five digit zip codes by the US Postal Service that gave a host of computer users apoplexy so that memos, letters and contracts can be stored in a database field. To retrieve the information, Informix is working on an extension of SQL with free search facilities. Distributed DBMS features, which are scheduled to be introduced during the first half of 1989, will include support for multi-site reads, single site updates, and transparent access to data for users and applications without knowing where it is stored. Multi-user concurrency controls for data integrity and security, and network optimisation capabilities will also be included. Later releases will provide support for multi-site updates including a two phase commit protocol, and methods of structuring database tables in order to reduce network traffic. The company plans to build and release its integrated product line over the next year.
