This is not a book for someone who knows what a 4GL is and just wants to know a little about INFORMIX-4GL. This book is for hard-core INFORMIX-4GL programmers. INFORMIX-4GL is a fourth-generation programming language for Sun computers. INFORMIX-4GL is an evolving database management language that includes a mix of procedural and nonprocedural features. It was originally meant to be a replacement for the business programming language COBOL.

The book assumes you are a knowledgeable programmer of INFORMIX-4GL. It starts with chapters on the basic concepts of the language, and continues with chapters on SQL, screen management, report generation, screen interaction, data entry, error handling, optimization, and some aspects of development environments. Also covered are recursion and INFORMIX’s C-like language and functions. Not discussed are the yet-to-be-released advanced features (call-by-reference, dynamic memory management, and object-oriented capabilities) and minor variations among versions of the programmer’s environment. The book includes a disk of INFORMIX-4GL programming examples for Sun workstations and compatibles.

The material is difficult and requires substantial experience with INFORMIX-4GL for comprehension. The book could be used in a classroom where the teacher augmented the text as needed. If you can find a class in advanced INFORMIX-4GL programming, take it. If you cannot find a class, find an expert to help you. As a last resort, read this book; everything you need to learn about advanced INFORMIX-4GL programming is in here.