IBM recently expanded INFORMIX's 4GL service-oriented architecture (SOA) capabilities through the integration of a 4GL web services. Informix 4GL, or now-simply I4GL, supports a programming language for interacting with Informix database servers. It provides a rich environment that includes forms and reports language for easy development of relational database applications. I4GL supports compilers that can convert the 4GL applications to C language as well as to the machine-independent p-codes that can later be executed using runner.

Service-oriented Architecture (SOA) is an architectural style that allows for systems integration, permitting different applications to exchange data with one another. It aims at the loose coupling of services with operating systems, their programming languages, and other technologies with underlying applications. Web services are functions that can be accessed independently of platforms and programming languages. SOA enables companies to easily link their business processes and services to their suppliers, vendors, and other business partners.

I4GL and SOA Advantage:

Many IFORMIX customers continue to use 14GL's rich language support and have large applications, which contain the user interface and business logic on I4GL. Migrating these applications to newer technologies requires a substantial investment of time and resources. Instead of migrating or re-writing the I4GL existing logic, a better solution is to reuse the I4GL applications as web-services.

I4GL SOA Helps Users:

• Re-use existing version 7.32 I4GL business logic in a wider set of applications within and outside an organization
• Avoid having to migrate existing I4GL applications to newer technologies
• Access browser-based applications and other clients
• Leverage applications written in other languages

Customers can deploy your I4GL functions on the Web without rewriting any source code. These Web services can be used by, Java and .Net applications on the Web without you doing any Java or .NET programming. Business logic is maintained in I4GL, and made available to a variety of Web clients through Web services.

With I4GL 7.50.xC3, I4GL programs can subscribe to Web services written in I4GL or any modern programming language. The product contains sample demonstrations on how to publish an I4GL Web service and how to subscribe to an I4GL Web service using an I4GL subscriber.

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