Home
Designing databases
The first step in creating a relational database is to construct a data model, which is a precise, complete definition of the data you want to store. After you prepare your data model, you must implement it as a database and tables. To implement your data model, you first select a data type for each column and then you create a database and tables and populate the tables with data. You can also implement fragmentation strategies and control access to your data.
Designing and Implementing a Database
The Informix® Database Design and Implementation Guide provides information to help you design, implement, and manage your Informix databases. It includes data models that illustrate different approaches to database design and shows you how to use structured query language (SQL) to implement and manage your databases.
Object-relational databases
Create and use extended data types in Informix®
HCL Informix® data types
Extended data types
DataBlade® data types

Designing databases
The first step in creating a relational database is to construct a data model, which is a precise, complete definition of the data you want to store. After you prepare your data model, you must implement it as a database and tables. To implement your data model, you first select a data type for each column and then you create a database and tables and populate the tables with data. You can also implement fragmentation strategies and control access to your data.
- Designing and Implementing a Database
  The Informix® Database Design and Implementation Guide provides information to help you design, implement, and manage your Informix databases. It includes data models that illustrate different approaches to database design and shows you how to use structured query language (SQL) to implement and manage your databases.
  - Basics of database design and implementation
  - Managing databases
  - Object-relational databases
    - Create and use extended data types in Informix®
      - HCL Informix® data types
        Fundamental or atomic data types
        Predefined data types
        Other predefined data types
        Extended data types
        Complex data types
        User-defined data types
        A user-defined data type (UDT) is a data type that is not provided by the database server. You must provide all of the information that the database server requires to manage opaque data types or distinct data types.
        Distinct data types
        Opaque data types
        DataBlade® data types
      - Smart large objects
      - Complex data types
    - Type and table inheritance
    - Create and use user-defined casts

DataBlade® data types

The diagram in Extended data types includes DataBlade® data types. A DataBlade® is a suite of user-defined data types and user-defined routines that provides tools for a specialized application. For example, different DataBlade® data types provide tools for managing images, video, and geographical information. Such applications often require opaque data types and other user-defined data types. For information about developing a DataBlade® module, see the Informix® DataBlade® API Programmer's Guide.For information about the DataBlade® modules that Informix® provides, contact your customer representative.