Chapter 6. Getting at Your Data: Interfaces

Ron Flannery

One Point Solutions

This chapter teaches you to use the screen interfaces that directly access Informix databases: dbaccess and isql. By the end of this chapter, you will understand:

• Differences between dbaccess and isql Although dbaccess and isql are very similar, they are also different in several ways.

• How to navigate through the menus The menus are very robust and easy to navigate. Learn about each menu option and how to use it.

• How to create and modify tables in your database You have easy, menu-driven ways to modify the data in your databases. Both dbaccess and isql provide them.

• How to analyze your tables and database connections Any number of ways help you get information about your tables, databases, and available connections.

• How to create a user application menu The isql command provides a simple yet powerful user menu builder. This menu allows you to create menus that users can access to run their applications.