IBM Informix-4GL
| Industry | Software |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1980s |
| Founder | Chris Maloney |
| Products | Informix-4GL |
| Parent | IBM (since 2001) |
Informix-4GL is a 4GL programming language created by Informix during the mid-1980s. Its initial launch occurred in 1986, supporting operating environments such as Microsoft Xenix on the IBM PC AT, DEC Ultrix across various VAX machines, Altos 2086, and UNIX systems from AT&T.
Description
Combining embedded SQL, a report generation tool, a form definition language, and core imperative programming constructs—including functions, conditionals, loops, and arrays—Informix-4GL is designed with a syntax that closely resembles natural language to promote simplicity in learning and application. Customization of business logic was streamlined through utilities like the Form Painter, Screen Code Generator, and Report Code Generator (Featurizer), complemented by a menu-driven interface and a front-end GUI creation tool.
The development suite provides two compiler modes: one that outputs intermediate bytecode (P-code) executed by an interpreter for rapid prototyping, and another that produces C Programming Language source code for compilation into optimized machine-level executables. Primarily functioning as a client to an IBM Informix database server, Informix-4GL allows integration with C by enabling calls to C routines and invocation from C applications. Its rapid development environment includes an interactive debugger compatible with Dumb terminals.
A distinguishing feature of Informix-4GL is its extensive error detection within compiled programs, offering detailed diagnostics from both compilation and runtime phases. Additionally, it supports embedded modal directives that modify compiler or executable behavior—for instance, ensuring memory layout aligns with database schema or permitting execution despite errors that can subsequently be trapped.
History
The development of Informix-4GL commenced in 1985 under the leadership of chief architect Chris Maloney. Concurrently, Roy Harrington oversaw the related Informix Turbo (later renamed Online) engine which utilized direct disk access rather than conventional "cooked" file systems. This technology evolved from software initially created in 1983 by FourGen Software Technologies, based in Seattle. The combined product suite was marketed as ‘’’Forms’’’ and ‘’’Menu’’’ until 1996 under the name FourGen CASE Tools, providing connectivity to both Informix and IBM’s DB2 databases. A different variant named "NewEra" offered support for object-oriented programming while retaining partial compatibility with Informix-4GL codebases.
Following IBM’s acquisition of Informix in April 2001, Informix-4GL has continued to be extensively utilized for business software development. Its enduring popularity sustains a significant user base, particularly due to its entirely text-based interface favored in accounting and other data-entry-heavy sectors for operational efficiency. Support for these tools persists across major UNIX, Red Hat Linux, and SUSE Linux platforms. In 2002, the FOURGEN business was purchased by www.gillan.com.