I'd like to know the difference (and significance) between the keywords UC8, TC1, TC8, and TC2E1 used in the Informix Database Server name.

Specifically, I use the Informix JDBC driver to retrieve the Informix Server name via the following code:

java.sql.DatabaseMetaData mdata = conn.getMetaData();
String name = mdata.getDatabaseProductName();

Here are the various names I get returned when connecting to various Informix servers:

Informix-Online 7.30.UC8
Informix Universal Server 9.14.TC8
Informix Dynamic Server 9.30.TC1
Informix Dynamic Server 9.40.TC2E1

Specifically, I want to know what the last bits mean?

I'm guessing UC8 stands for Unicode ????

thanks in advance
- Garry

The last portion of the version number specifies the platform and patch level.

The first character stands for:
U = Unix/Linux 32-bit
F = Unix/Linux 64-bit
H = Hybrid. Unix 64-bit, IDS 32-bit (only HP needs this as far as I know, the other platforms can use the U version)
T = WinNT/2000/XP/2003

Old (obsolete) ones:
W = Win 3.11/95/098/ME
N = Novell
D = Dos

The second character C meams commercial release, A = Aplha, B = Beta. Sometimes when the patch level gets high they just contunue with D1.

The number specifies the patch level. If there is a string aftyer the patch level (9.30.UC2W8 fro example then the W8 means an intermedite patch/bug fix which did not went through the full QA path)

I hope this helps, so no GLS info in here, just version and platform info.

Rob Prop

Excellent feedback. Thanks Rob.