R-Tree Index User's Guide

These topics describe the IBM® Informix® R-tree secondary access method and how to access and use its components.

It describes how to create an R-tree index on appropriate data types, how to create a new operator class that uses the R-tree access method to index a user-defined data type, and how to manage databases that use the R-tree secondary access method.

These topics are written for three distinct audiences:

Application developers
DataBlade module developers
Database administrators

The following table describes the topics that are most relevant to each audience type. Although each topic has a specific audience, all users can benefit from reading the entire guide.

Topic	Audience
R-tree secondary access method concepts	All users who want in-depth knowledge of how R-tree indexes work
The R-tree secondary access method	Application developers and schema designers who use R-tree indexes to index existing tables or design schemas that contain tables that are indexed by R-tree indexes
Develop DataBlade modules that use the R-tree secondary access method	DataBlade module developers who want to use the R-tree access method to index new data types by creating a new operator class
Manage databases that use the R-tree secondary access method	Database administrators who manage databases that contain R-tree indexes

These topics are written with the assumption that you have the following background:

A working knowledge of your computer, your operating system, and the utilities that your operating system provides
Some experience working with relational databases or exposure to database concepts
Some experience with computer programming
Some experience with database server administration, operating-system administration, or network administration

You must have a DataBlade module or extension that uses the IBM Informix R-tree secondary access method, such as the Informix spatial solution, to use the R-tree secondary access method.

You can use the Informix DataBlade Developers Kit (DBDK) to develop a DataBlade module that uses the R-tree secondary access method.

You can use the following application development tools with the R-tree secondary access method:

DB-Access
IBM Informix ESQL/C
DataBlade API

You do not, however, need to install or use these tools to use the R-tree access method.

These topics are taken from IBM Informix R-Tree Index User's Guide.