SQL for Reality

This section contains the information required by a system developer or administrator to create and maintain a SQL catalog on a Reality database, and to set up and maintain a connection to an SQL catalog on a Reality database using ODBC (on a PC) or JDBC. Reality V15.4 or later on both UNIX and Windows hosts is covered by this section. Refer to the Reality Release Information for details of supported platforms.

The SQL/ODBC interface for Reality enables PC applications that are compliant with Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) Release 2.5 to access a SQL/ODBC data source comprising Reality data.

The SQL/JDBC interface for Reality enables Java applications, applets and servlets, running on any system that supports a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), to access Reality data using SQL.

Introduction

SQL for Reality provides a mechanism by which client applications can access Reality databases using SQL. It consists of three primary components:

Before Reality data can be accessed using SQL, one or more SQL catalogs must be created on the Reality database to provide an SQL view of the Reality data. SQLM, a green-screen menu-driven program that runs at TCL, is provided to create and administer SQL catalogs:

Software Compliance

SQL/ODBC

The SQL/ODBC interface for Reality described in this section complies with the following specifications:

A small number of exceptions to this compliance are listed in SQL Statements Supported by Reality.

SQL/JDBC

The SQL/JDBC interface for Reality described in this section complies broadly with the following specifications:

A small number of exceptions to this compliance are listed in SQL Statements Supported by Reality.

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that the user is familiar with Reality, and particularly with English dictionaries, and has some previous experience of UNIX or Windows administration. Experience of loading and configuring another PC application will be useful for installing the RealSQL driver on a PC. Familiarity with Microsoft Windows is also assumed.

Contents

This topic describes the purpose, intended readership and contents of this section. It also lists special terms, abbreviations and conventions used within it.

Introduction to SQL for Reality, provides an overview of the SQL for Reality product, discusses the purpose and structure of a Reality SQL catalog. It also gives hints on setting up a Reality SQL catalog.

Setting Up a Working System, describes the procedures to be carried out to set up an ODBC or JDBC connection to an SQL catalog on a Reality database.

Catalog Administration, provides a detailed description of the procedures to create and update the definition of a Reality SQL catalog using the SQLM command at TCL.

SQL Column and Index Definitions, contains a description of the fields in SQL column and index definitions.

Table/Column Definition Design, provides guidance on the optimum design of table/column definitions, particularly those derived from file/data definitions.

Application Index Design, gives information about how to optimise the performance of SQL queries, including recommendations for designing indexes to facilitate the optimisation process.

SQL Statements Supported by Reality, details the set of SQL statements supported by Reality.

System Requirements, lists the host and PC software and hardware components that are required to make up a compatible ODBC or JDBC configuration for Reality.

Setting Up Logging, describes the procedures to set up SQL command logging on the host, and ODBC, JDBC and PCSNI logging on a client system.

Additional information to assist the administrator in creating and updating a data source is provided in the following appendices:

SQL Reserved Words, contains a list of SQL keywords which must not be used as table, column or index names.

SQL Environment Files, contains detailed descriptions of the Reality files that define the SQL data sources on a Reality database.

PERSONNEL File, lists the contents of the Reality file that is used in the examples in Application Index Design.

Related Documents

PCi Standard Network Interface (V2.3)

UNIX-Connect System Administration

User's Reference: General, Operation and Administration

English Reference

ODBC 2.0 Programmer's Reference and SDK Guide (Microsoft Press)

Conventions

Conventions used in this section are listed in the General Conventions section.