Informix Dynamic Server V10 . . . Extended Functionality for Modern Business

50 Informix Dynamic Server V10 . . . Extended Functionality for Modern Business

Figure 2-4 The ipload attribute to data element mapping interface

The HPL supports reading and writing to IDS binary, ASCII (fixed length and

delimited) and EBCDIC formats. While the utility can load and unload huge

amounts of data quickly, project performance is highly dependent on the number

of devices configured, whether and what kind of data type conversion is required

and the project “mode” if it is a load project. Executing HPL projects has a

significant impact on instance resources so careful monitoring and tuning is

advised. The IBM Informix High-Performance Loader User’s Guide, G251-2286,

includes tuning and other resource guidelines for executing HPL projects.

2.2 Things to think about first

There is a commonly used phrase to the effect that “an ounce of prevention is

better than a pound of cure.” This is certainly true for database environments

where when built and in operation, it might be nearly impossible to “cure”

problems that arise. As a result, it is critical that sufficient time and effort be spent

in the planning and evaluation of the database design, the logical and physical

instance implementation, backup, recovery and data retention/purge