VSI-I64VMS-SQLRELAY-V0109-0A-1-RNOTES.PDF

This document describes the VMS Software SQL Relay Client for OpenVMS I64, released in January 2021, based on the SQL Relay 1.9.0 open-source distribution.

Purpose and Features: SQL Relay is an open-source database connection management solution designed to sit between applications and databases. It provides functionalities not typically offered by databases directly, such as persistent connection pooling, proxying, throttling, high availability, query routing, filtering, translation, and connection scheduling. For OpenVMS users, a key benefit is its ability to proxy access to various databases (including Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB2, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQLite) from platforms that might otherwise not be supported.

OpenVMS Port Specifics: The OpenVMS port includes all standard SQL Relay client functionality, SSL/TLS support (based on OpenSSL 1.1.1g), and a wrapper API to simplify its use with OpenVMS programming languages like COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal, and BASIC. It also provides several command-line tools: sqlrsh (an interactive tool), and sqlr-export and sqlr-import for XML-based data transfer.

Requirements: To install and use this kit, the system must meet the following:

• VSI OpenVMS Version 8.4-1H1 or higher.
• VSI TCP/IP, HPE TCP/IP Services for OpenVMS, or MultiNet TCP/IP.
• A C or other language compiler for application development.
• Good knowledge of OpenVMS and its software development environment.

Installation and Configuration: The client is provided as an OpenVMS PCSI kit (VSI-I64VMS-SQLRELAY-V0109-0A-1.PCSI) and can be installed using the command $ PRODUCT INSTALL SQLRELAY. Post-installation, commands must be added to SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM to ensure necessary logical names are defined system-wide.

Important Note: This document covers only the SQL Relay client API. The SQL Relay server software must be separately installed and configured on the Linux or Windows server hosting the target database for the client to function.

Development Support: The kit includes sample programs in C, COBOL, FORTRAN, BASIC, and Pascal located in SQLR$ROOT:[EXAMPLES], which can be built using BUILD_EXAMPLES.COM. These examples require a configured SQL Relay server environment and may need modification for specific database connection details.

Future Plans: Subsequent releases of the SQL Relay client for OpenVMS are expected to include additional development tools and utilities, such as embedded SQL processors for various programming languages and an enhanced interactive query tool.