FairCom Server DLL

This book is an introduction to the FairCom Server DLL operational model. In these simple steps and about 15 minutes, you’ll be navigating your data:

1. Install and start up the FairCom Database Engine. See Installing FairCom Products.
2. Optionally read the overviewIntroduction to the FairCom Server DLL Model.
3. Run the samples in the Server DLL Developer's Guide.

Tip: To view, edit, and run the source code for the tutorials, you can go directly into the <faircom>\drivers\ctree.srvdll\tutorials folder that is installed with the product. Each tutorial has been thoroughly tested on each operating system, interpreter, and compiler to ensure you have an excellent experience.

Resources

• Developer's Guide
• Administrator's Guide
• Browser-Based Tools
• Command-Line Utilities
• All Drivers and APIs

Introduction to the FairCom Server DLL Model

For flexibility of application development, c-tree database technology has long offered single-user standalone technology as well as multi-user standalone and client-server based models. With its stability and data integrity, c-tree database technology is embedded in thousands of standalone applications on desktops everywhere. As applications grew from workstations to small workgroups, multi-user features were easy to add and deployment remained an effortless challenge with the multi-user standalone model.

Moving from standalone to client-server technology is almost as easy. The FairCom Database Engine offers unparalleled multi-threaded performance for larger workgroups requiring even more advanced features. With only a few lines of application code modification and configuration of clients to communicate to a central server on the network, the FairCom Database Engine brings a rich array of enterprise class features for large workgroup settings.

Many standalone applications have pushed the limits of standalone c-tree technology and can no longer grow as their needs expand. Many other existing standalone applications have grown to require the more advanced features of the full FairCom Database Engine, such as SQL support, dynamic backups and advanced data encryption. The challenge for application developers has been how to bridge this gap.

Other standalone applications have pushed the limits of the development license. Our standard development license prohibits the use of the standalone operational model in an application that acts as a server. While building an application server with the standalone model may be technically appealing, this approach can result in license infringement.

Introducing the Dynamically Loadable FairCom Database Engine, or Server DLL. The Server DLL offers a cost effective, easily deployed solution to bring full client-server features to existing standalone applications. Quickly overcome confining standalone limitations:

• Standalone = Serialized Data Access with Limited Features
• Server DLL = Multithreaded Data Access with Lots of Features

The Server DLL is truly the best of both worlds: feature packed server options with embedded deployment ease.

The FairCom Database Engine brings many advantages to existing applications. Need to avoid a costly client-server network upgrade? Developing an application server model requiring an advanced database engine? Require support for multiple users coupled with the safety of transaction processing? Desire advanced features found only in the FairCom Database Engine?

The multithreaded Server DLL becomes the perfect fit and allows you to quickly bridge the transition. The Server DLL delivers fast multithreaded performance by avoiding additional network overhead - it links directly to your application. The Server DLL model can also be the cost effective solution with reduced hardware and network requirements, effortless deployment, as well as a discounted pricing schedule. Check out all of the advantages the Server DLL offers.

• Transitional
  • Quickly bridge the transition from the limited standalone model to feature-rich Server technology.
  • Avoid licensing limitations of standalone models.
• Features
  • FairCom SQL - Robust SQL support concurrent with ISAM access.
  • Dynamic Backups - Live data backups data without downtime hassles.
  • Replication - Maintain "warm" backups for comprehensive disaster preparedness.
  • Large Cache sizes - Escape the 2 Gb limits of standalone models.
  • Encryption - Secure your data with advanced encryption algorithms.
  • Partitioned Files - Manage data partitioned by keyed criteria as separate physical files.
  • Memory Files - Take advantage of fast memory access for your tables.
• Deployment
  • Drop in Shared Object - Deploy directly with your application installation.
  • Complete control over configuration, access and usage.
• Performance
  • Shares a single process space with your application.
  • Fast! No communication layers. All database calls passed through the application stack.
  • Multithreaded core engine.
• Economical
  • A cost effective upgrade for standalone technology.
  • Avoid dedicated server and network equipment.
  • Discounted pricing over the full client-server model.