[comp.databases] Seeking Informix Alternatives

eboneste@bbn.com (Liz Bonesteel) (04/10/90)

This seems to be Request Week, so I'll join in.

We have been running an Informix database for the past five years.
Finding ourselves at a major redesign point, we have decided to
research possible alternatives.  We plan to run the system on a VAX
running Ultrix.  The system will have about 120 interactive users
(this number could grow), with as many as 40 actively within the
system at one time.

I spoke with a gentleman from Empress today who seemed to have
workable solutions to some of the security problems I have been unable
to solve using Informix, so I would be particularly interested in
hearing pros and cons on this outfit.  Others we are currently
considering are Oracle (although as half the development team I,
personally, would prefer a 4GL environment) and Ingres.  Any
information on these systems, good bad or indifferent, or any other
suggestions (including sticking with Informix) would be most welcome.

Thanks to all,

Liz
eboneste@bbn.com

craig@unify.uucp (Craig Isaacs) (04/11/90)

In article <54669@bbn.COM> eboneste@BBN.COM (Liz Bonesteel) writes:
>We have been running an Informix database for the past five years.
>Finding ourselves at a major redesign point, we have decided to
>research possible alternatives......
>
>.....  Others we are currently
>considering are Oracle (although as half the development team I,
>personally, would prefer a 4GL environment) and Ingres.  Any
>information on these systems, good bad or indifferent, or any other
>suggestions (including sticking with Informix) would be most welcome.
>
>Thanks to all,
>
>Liz
>eboneste@bbn.com

If you would like to use Oracle and still use a 4GL, you should consider
using ACCELL/SQL for ORACLE (my company's product). In fact, ACCELL/SQL
can support a number of different RDBMS packages (including Informix).

This allows you to write your application using the 4GL and ACCELL 
application generator and then select the RDBMS that best meets your
requirements -- whether it is Oracle, Informix, or our own RDBMS,
UNIFY 2000.  (Sorry - we have not made any public announcements about
Ingres.)

Unify has published a guide to writing portable applications, so if
you are interested in the book, let me know.

Good luck!

Craig Isaacs

-- 

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Craig Isaacs                                      internet: craig@unify.UUCP 
Unify Corporation                           ...!{csusac,pyramid}!unify!craig 

dmn@stiatl.UUCP (Michael Nowacki) (04/12/90)

>In article <54669@bbn.COM> eboneste@BBN.COM (Liz Bonesteel) writes:
>>We have been running an Informix database for the past five years.
>>Finding ourselves at a major redesign point, we have decided to
>>research possible alternatives......
>>.....  Others we are currently
>>considering are Oracle (although as half the development team I,
>>personally, would prefer a 4GL environment) and Ingres.  Any
>>information on these systems, good bad or indifferent, or any other
>>suggestions

(it is unfortunate that there does not seem to be a viable candidate for
use as a starting point for an up-to-date, ansi- or ? standard 4gl.)

people rarely seem to think of Sharebase as an alternative when looking
at ingres or oracle. its architecture is very similar (being they are all
decendants of a common ancestor) but has a limited applications environment.
however, they do offer oem frontends from smartstar, focus and i don't
know who else. if these 4gls are suitable, sharebase systems are cost-effective,
fast in any case, and because they are essentailly smart peripherals connected
to a network, intrinsically shareable amoung various operating systems (hence
the recent name change from britton-lee).

you may have a hard time finding a sales rep; try going thru their 800 number
if you're curious.
(though i am a former employee, this is a comment, not a plug)
-- 
Michael Nowacki               gatech!stiatl!dmn
Sales Technologies, Inc                       |\  /|
3399 Peachtree Rd, NE                         | \/ |
Atlanta-in-the-kudzu, GA  (404) 841-5006     _|ike |_