In this IBM® Redbooks® publication, we discuss considerations, and describe a methodology, for transitioning from Microsoft® SQL Server 2008 to the Informix® Dynamic Server. We focus on the topic areas of data, applications, and administration, providing information about the differences in features and functionality, including the data types, data manipulation language, data definition language, and stored procedures. Understanding the features and functionality of the two products assists you in developing a migration plan.

We provide a conversion methodology and discuss the processes for migrating the database objects and data from SQL Server to Informix using various methods. We show the SQL differences between SQL Server and Informix and illustrate, with examples, how to convert tables, views, stored procedures, functions, and triggers. We provide script conversion samples for data loading. We describe application programming and conversion considerations. In addition, we discuss the Informix configuration, as well as the administration features and functions Informix provides to help DBAs manage the Informix database server after it is migrated.

With this information, you can develop your required transition methodology, and you can plan and execute the conversion activities in an orderly and cost-effective manner.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Architecture overview

Chapter 3. Migration methodology

Chapter 4. SQL considerations

Chapter 5. Database schema and data migration

Chapter 6. Application conversion

Chapter 7. Informix configuration and administration

Appendix A. Terminology mapping

Appendix B. Data types

Appendix C. Function mapping

Appendix D. Operator mapping

Appendix E. Administrative and monitoring task mapping

Appendix F. Database server utilities

Appendix G. SQL limits