MAIN
DEFINE x INTEGER
LET x = 10
DISPLAY 'The value of x is', x
END MAIN
Ask the right questions to secure the right Informix-4GL talent among an increasingly shrinking pool of talent.
Informix-4GL is a programming language and procedural runtime environment that was first developed by Informix Corporation in the early 1980s. It was designed for business applications development, offering a simple way to design forms and reports. Unlike other fourth-generation programming languages (4GL), Informix-4GL is not database-independent and works best with Informix's SQL products. Despite its age, it remains in use today due to its robustness, efficiency, and ease of learning. This information can be found on IBM's official website as well as various historical software archives.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
Informix-4GL supports various data types including CHAR, SMALLINT, INTEGER, FLOAT, DECIMAL, DATE, MONEY, and BYTE.
Informix-4GL provides an error handling mechanism using the WHENEVER statement. It allows the program to continue, exit, or go to a label when an error or warning occurs.
Informix-4GL is a high-level programming language that embeds SQL statements, while SQL is a standard language for managing data held in a relational database.
Some key features include its high-level language, portability, embedded SQL, and its ability to create complex reports.
Informix-4GL is a 4th generation programming language developed by IBM for database management. It is used for developing database-centric applications.
As Informix-4GL is a 4GL used for database queries, having a strong understanding of database concepts is crucial. This will allow them to write more efficient and effective queries.
Most development projects require team work. The candidate should be able to demonstrate their ability to work effectively within a team, whether that's through previous work experience or during the interview process.
While the role is specifically for Informix-4GL, having experience with other languages can be beneficial as it shows a broader understanding of programming and can be useful for integrating with other systems or technologies.
Communication is key in any role, but especially in development where they may need to explain complex concepts to non-technical team members or stakeholders.
Problem-solving is a key skill for any developer. They should be able to demonstrate their ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems efficiently and effectively.
This is crucial as the role is specifically for an Informix-4GL developer. Their knowledge and understanding of this specific 4GL will directly impact their ability to perform in the role.
The next 20 minutes of the interview should attempt to focus more specifically on the development questions used, and the level of depth and skill the engineer possesses.
Informix-4GL supports two types of cursors: update cursors and read-only cursors.
You can implement a loop using the FOR, WHILE, or FOREACH statement.
Informix-4GL supports global variables, local variables, and record variables.
A main procedure is the entry point of a program, while a function is a reusable piece of code that performs a specific task and can be called from anywhere in the program.
You can create a database using the CREATE DATABASE statement followed by the database name.
At this point, a skilled Informix-4GL engineer should have demonstrated strong proficiency in using Informix-4GL for database management, adeptness in coding and debugging, and a solid understanding of SQL. Red flags would include inability to discuss past projects or issues with problem-solving skills.
MAIN
DEFINE x INTEGER
LET x = 10
DISPLAY 'The value of x is', x
END MAIN
MAIN
DEFINE str CHAR(20)
LET str = 'Informix'
DISPLAY LENGTH(str)
END MAIN
MAIN
DEFINE arr ARRAY[5] OF INTEGER
FOR i = 1 TO 5
LET arr[i] = i * 10
END FOR
DISPLAY arr
END MAIN
MAIN
DEFINE i, j INTEGER
LET i = 1, j = 2
CALL swap(i, j)
DISPLAY i, j
END MAIN
FUNCTION swap(a, b)
DEFINE a, b INTEGER
DEFINE temp INTEGER
LET temp = a
LET a = b
LET b = temp
END FUNCTION
MAIN
DEFINE rec RECORD
name CHAR(20),
age INTEGER
END RECORD
LET rec.name = 'John', rec.age = 25
DISPLAY rec.name, rec.age
END MAIN
MAIN
DEFINE arr ARRAY[5] OF INTEGER
FOR i = 1 TO 5
LET arr[i] = i * 10
END FOR
FOR EACH arr[i]
IF arr[i] MOD 2 = 0 THEN
DISPLAY arr[i]
END IF
END FOR
END MAIN
The final few interview questions for a Informix-4GL candidate should typically focus on a combination of technical skills, personal goals, growth potential, team dynamics, and company culture.
A compiled program is translated into machine code once and can be executed multiple times, while an interpreted program is translated into machine code every time it is run.
You can optimize a query by using indexes, avoiding full table scans, and using the EXPLAIN statement to understand the query execution plan.
Informix-4GL supports row triggers, statement triggers, and database triggers.
A static array has a fixed size that is determined at compile time, while a dynamic array can change its size at runtime.
You can handle transactions using the BEGIN WORK, COMMIT WORK, and ROLLBACK WORK statements.
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