Environment configuration

You configure your environment by setting environment variables and creating or modifying files that relate to the environment variables. You can control whether environment variables are set at the environment level, for a specific user, or for a database session. You must set environment variables for the database server environment and for the client environments.

If you choose to create a database server instance during installation, the installation program sets the mandatory environment variables. Otherwise, you must set environment variables before you start the database server. The following environment variables are mandatory:

  • The INFORMIXDIR environment variable specifies the directory where you installed the database server.
  • The INFORMIXSERVER environment variable specifies the name of the database server.
  • The ONCONFIG environment variable specifies the name of the onconfig file in the INFORMIXDIR/etc directory.
  • The PATH environment variable must include the INFORMIXDIR/bin directory.

To configure the database server environment, you can set other environment variables:

  • If you plan to create an sqlhosts file with a non-default name or location, set the INFORMIXSQLHOSTS environment variable to the name and path of your sqlhosts file.
  • If you plan to use the DB-Access utility to run SQL statements, specify terminal properties with the INFORMIXTERM or a similar environment variable.
  • If you need Global Language Support (GLS), set GLS environment variables.
  • If you want to enable other functionality, set the appropriate environment variables. Some environment variables control functionality that is also controlled by configuration parameters. Environment variables override configuration parameter settings.

To configure client environments, you can set the environment variables that are supported by your client API. For more information, see your client API manual.

You can choose from multiple methods for setting environment variables. For example, you can run the SET ENVIRONMENT statement to set environment variables for the current session. You can add environment variable settings to log in scripts, at the command prompt, or in a configuration file.