Now owned and developed by IBM, the Informix product line is anchored by the Informix Dynamic Server (IDS), a continuously available OLTP (OnLine Transaction Processing) data server for use in high volume enterprise environments. At its core, IDS features technology that IBM calls "Dynamic Scalable Architecture" and allows for the embedding of business logic within the database, while also supporting the ability to extend the DB to support non-traditional data-types via separately available "Datablade Modules." IBM has stated in their literature that they will continue to support and develop the Informix Dynamic Server, and, in a strategy and roadmap paper published last year, stated that "There will be no forced migrations from Informix to DB2."

IBM's Dynamic Scalable Architecture seeks to optimize DB performance and response by processing common activities in parallel; such as I/O, queries, index builds, backups, etc. Further, the DB itself can be extended to support and manipulate non-standard data types via Datablade Modules. Among the Datablade Modules specifically boasted by IBM is the Spatial Datablade Module, which offers SQL-based data types and specialized functions for use in geographically oriented implementations. Other Datablade specialties include the Text Datablade offering high-speed text searching (including fuzzy search logic) and the Geodetic Datablade allowing for the representation and manipulation of stored objects in four dimensions (latitude, longitude, altitude, and time).

Other components in the Informix line include:

- IDS with J/Foundation: IDS with an embedded Java Virtual Machine allowing for the execution of Java commands from within the DB Server

- Informix Server Administrator (ISA): a browser based tool that provides an interface to the IDS command line for DBAs

- Informix SE: an embeddable DB engine for developers

- Informix C-ISAM: A library of C functions for the management of I-SAM files.

While they will continue to support them, IBM has stated that there will be no further development of Informix SE or Informix C-ISAM.

Visit IBM's Informix Web site for further information.