User-defined process overview

Netezza Performance Server allows you to extend SQL with user-defined functions, referred to as UDXs, as well as User-Defined Analytic Processes, also known as Analytic Executables (AEs). The Analytic Executable concept allows a Netezza user to implement a freestanding, executable data-processing program that runs “out of process,” that is, outside the system, and register it in a database.

UDXs can be thought of as the user-defined counterparts to built-in SQL Functions. They are called from SQL in the same manner and follow the same guidelines for input and output. AEs, while called from SQL like UDXs, are actually applications that run when called.

This section provides an overview of both UDXs and AEs before comparing and contrasting them. While UDXs and AEs are complementary solutions, they do have some significant differences that can help determine which solution is better suited for a given application.