Database Interoperability

Working Group

Group Prospectus

February, 2000

The Open Group is pleased to present details of the Database Interoperability Working Group as a Managed Consortia of The Open Group. We are actively seeking membership by all interested parties within the IT industry.

The following information is offered to provide details of the areas that the group has been working on.

This information is prospective only. The actual work program and schedule is decided, agreed and executed by the Working Group members.

The Database Interoperability Working Group develops specifications that address the Distributed Relational Database Architecture and Protocols.

DATABASE INTEROPERABILITY GROUP MEMBERS

As of February 2000, the following companies are members of the Working Group:

• Computer Associates
• Fujitsu
• IBM
• Microsoft
• Rocket Software
• SCO
• Starquest

DISTRIBUTED RELATIONAL DATABASE ARCHITECTURE PROTOCOL SPECIFICATIONS

The current versions of the DRDA Protocol Specifications are to provide a standardized database protocol that:

• Facilitates interoperability between SQL application programs and database management systems,
• Facilitates interoperability between the relational database management systems of different vendors,
• Supports The Open Group SQL application programming interface specifications such as SQL V2 and XDBC,
• Supports the ISO SQL92 and ISO SQL3 standards, including support for stored procedures and advanced SQL data types such as large objects, distinct types, and abstract data types, and
• Includes support for TCP/IP and SNA.

These specifications, last published in January 2000, can be found on The Open Group web site as follows:

    DRDA V2 : Distributed Relational Database Architecure: Volume 1  -  http://www.opengroup.org/publications/catalog/c911.htm

    DRDA V2 : Formatted Data Object Content Architecure: Volume 2  -  http://www.opengroup.org/publications/catalog/c912.htm

    DRDA V2 : Distributed Data Management Architecure : Volume 3  -  http://www.opengroup.org/publications/catalog/c913.htm

The group is is working on the definition of new versions of the specifications to include some or all of the following proposed functionality:

1. Extensions to Formatted Data Object Content Architecture
   1. Support for SQL Statements greater than 32K Bytes.
   2. Larger Identifiers up to 256 bytes
   3. More LIDS added for local Identifiers
2. Addition of an Abstract Data Type
3. Addition of Two Phase Commit Extensions for XA
   1. XA Recovery
   2. XA Suspend
   3. XA Join
   4. Provision of Tightly Coupled transactions and Loosely coupled transactions, etc.
4. Introduction of Save Points - Oracle and Sybase like functionality
5. Interrupt Request
6. New Machine Support - Java Virtual Machine
   (Support Unicode and Java Machine Types, Remove conversion from Client - for JVM all conversion should be on the Server)
7. Connection Pooling
8. Multiple Row Inserts
9. Scrollable Sources - Wide Cursor and hold lock support
10. Message Text Extensions to SQLCARD
11. Large Objects (LOBs) with MIME type
12. Keep Dynamic Code Points
13. Monitoring.

THE WORK OF THE DATABASE INTEROPERABILITY GROUP

The current work products of the Database Interoperability Working Group are:

• Specifications that define a standardized:
  • Database Protocol
• A series of Product Standards that define the required functionality to be implemented for a product that conforms to the DRDA Standards,
• Plans for an Interoperability Demonstration event that will allow vendors of client based DRDA supporting products to be able to prove the interoperability of their implementations with the a DRDA Server system provider. 
• A Conformance Statement Questionnaire (CSQ) for the specifications, and
• A development plan for the test suite for conformance certification and the branding program for product implementations.

WORKING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY

The group works with appropriate industry groups to review existing specifications to insure zero overlap or redundancy. We always incorporate existing work - provided our quality, integration and legal requirements are met. The group will also make sure that all group specifications satisfy The Open Group relevant requirements defined within our process.

FEES

$25,000 per annum.  Execution of standard membership agreement required to join.

THE NEXT STEP

To join the Database Interoperability Working Group or obtain additional information, contact: