Thanks as always Jerry.

But I am sorry I wasnt clear.
Informix, is not just one database, they have their sql based oracle like database, but they others, Some aquired . etc.

The one that I am currently looking into is one of their Ardent systems platforms. Unidata - multi value database.

The reason for that is quite simple, the application we just purchased (over 450K) is based on it, The Company who wrote it Prelude Systems, uses as their backend server.

I know, very well, that the universal type, or unidata database is not one of the most well known database's out there, however, there is quite a large established base of clients, who rely on it. My thinking right or wrong was to tap into that enterprise level market, developing - addins to that userbase, who are all large companies.

Do you know of the universal family of database's


And yes you are right IBM purchased all the Informix database's and customers. nd the article is correct, that the future development of the flagship informix product, is not going to be the big push for IBM, becuase the big push these days, is the IBM wants to - or seems to want to compete with oracle, with their DB2 product. and Depending on what you read, They are - at least according to a press release, they have benchmared their new DB2 on linux running faster than Oracle.... but the relase of their latest DB2 has yet to happen... I am watching this one. (true blue american) love to see the underdog - in this case IBM) win.

Long story, but it looks like I am heading towards the unidata - informix, by IBM certification. It has a very stable, existing base of old time clients, who are used to paying big bucks for enterprise level software... here is my hook, The only native gui avail is legecy port of the text base, while its OK. it nothing compaired to what I can do with VFP using odbc. NOT EVEN CLOSE.
http://www.informix.com/informix/products/tools/systembuilder/sbclient50/gui.htm
So having a certification, and the ability to write, odbc - VFP connected client mods to existing base of dedicated large users. seems or appears to me a direction that is well worth my time and investment.

Maybe I am thinking this way, becuase my employer makes out, they pay for my certification, I write software at nights and week ends, I use the company I work for to help test and debug some of the apps, Then I sell it.. its an understanding that I have with my employer, - p.s. my last two employers had the same deal. Everyone wins.

Bob Lee