NAME
DBD::Informix::TechSupport - Obtaining Technical Support for DBD::Informix
SYNOPSIS
use DBD::Informix::TechSupport;
DESCRIPTION
This document describes how to obtain technical support for Informix Database Driver for Perl Version 1.00.PC1 (2000-03-03) (which is also known as DBD::Informix). It also describes how to use the Perl module to report information to any of technical support channels.
INFORMIX TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Informix Database Driver for Perl Version 1.00.PC1 (2000-03-03) is a supported product of Informix Software, Inc., provided that you are using a supported configuration.
You can send your problem reports to the dbd-informix@informix.com mail alias. Under normal circumstances, you will receive a response by the end of the next working day (California time).
OTHER SUPPORT
You can also submit questions by subscribing to the dbi-users@isc.org mailing list (use http//www.isc.org/dbi-lists.html to sign up), and email your questions to dbi-users@isc.org. This may provide quicker support, especially over holiday weekends.
CONFIGURATIONS SUPPORTED BY INFORMIX
Informix Technical Support will only support Informix Database Driver for Perl Version 1.00.PC1 (2000-03-03) if you are using certain supported versions of ESQL/C or Client SDK:
ESQL/C Version 5.1x
ESQL/C Version 7.24
Client SDK Version 2.30 (ESQL/C 9.21) or later
You may use Perl Version 5.004_04, but you should be using Perl Version 5.005_03 or a later, stable version of Perl. Note that Perl Version 5.005_50 and above are unstable development versions of Perl.
You must be using DBI Version 1.13 or later.
If you are using some other version of ESQL/C, or some other version of Perl or DBI, you must use the other support channels documented above.
OTHER CONFIGURATIONS WHICH PROBABLY WORK
Informix Database Driver for Perl Version 1.00.PC1 (2000-03-03) is believed to work with all versions of ESQL/C and ClientSDK from ESQL/C 5.00.UC1 upwards. However, you may run into problems with shared libraries if you use versions of ESQL/C which are not explicitly supported. This is sometimes because of problems with the way ESQL/C handles either its own shared libraries or other (system) libraries. If you run into such problems, you can consider editing the library list (see the fix_hpux_syslibs and fix_aix_netstub functions in Makefile.PL for illustrations), or you can build a statically linked Perl executable (see Notes/static.build).
It is known that versions of ESQL/C earlier than 5.00.UC1 will not work; if you cannot upgrade from ESQL/C 4.x, then consider using DBD::Informix4, also obtainable from CPAN.
At various times, DBD::Informix has been tested with both OnLine and SE at most versions from 5.00 upwards.
DBD::Informix will probably work with most versions of Perl from 5.004 upwards, but you should aim to use 5.005_03 until there is a later stable version (such as 5.6) available.
DBD::Informix will probably work with most versions of DBI from 1.02 upwards, but there is no reason not to use DBI Version 1.13 or some later version.
USING THE DBD::Informix::TechSupport Module
The script InformixTechSupport illustrates how to use the various functions described here.
Using bug_report
The Notes/bug.report file describes in detail the various classes of bug report (A, B, C or D). You specify the bug class and optionally (for a class D bug) a list of tests to run.
bug_report("A");
bug_report("D", @test_list);You should trap both the standard output and standard error output into a file and use that as the basis of your bug report. You will also need to describe the symptoms of any detailed failure you have if the tests pass. Although you would often use the distributed tests, you can substitute your own test provided you include the source code with the bug report and it is cribbed from one the distributed tests.
The bug_report function reconfigures DBD::Informix (all classes), then builds it (classes B, C, D) and tests it (classes C, D).
Using it_works
This generates the information needed for a report that you have managed to get Informix Database Driver for Perl Version 1.00.PC1 (2000-03-03) working.
it_works;Using print_versions
This function is called with a string containing the names of the items for which you need the version.
print_versions("Perl DBI DBD::Informix ESQL/C Licence");The valid items are:
Perl
DBI
DBD::Informix
ESQL/C
Licence
Using set_licence_number
By default, the licence number associated with the product will is ACN#J334912, and this does not have any support. If you buy support for Informix Database Driver for Perl Version 1.00.PC1 (2000-03-03), then you will be given a new licence number and you should install that number in the software so that bug reports will contain a valid licence number. Normally, you'd do this with the InformixTechSupport script, but that uses the set_licence_number method. The set_licence_number method can be used by a suitably privileged user to record this new number:
set_licence_number($new_number);AUTHOR
Jonathan Leffler