Conference ulysse::rdb_vms_competition

    SAS can interface to both Oracle and Rdb. However, when I last checked
    (about a year ago), the Rdb interface was available directly from
    SAS, and the Oracle interface had to be purchased from a third party.
    I'm not sure if that is still the case.
    
    ---- Michael Booth

    My knowledge is at least 12 months old, BUT check how the interface
    works (both for Rdb and for ORACLE). It used to be that the Rdb
    interface really was a DTR interface written in PL/1 which used
    DTR$GET_PORT (right name?) to get a record at a time through a DTR
    port into a SAS temp file. This is using the supplied example code
    that comes from SAS.
    
    So, program calls DTR to get a record, which layers on Rdb, and
    then writes the record into a disk file. When that is all complete,
    then SAS will read the disk file....  Common problem was very bad
    performance, esp when programmers didnt use RSE on DTR DOMAIN but
    rather put its equivalent into SAS : effect is that a sequential
    read is done of all records in database relation(s) and then SAS
    reads its disk file to reduce the dataset.
    
    Another problem was that the DTR port is always called the same
    name (SAS_PORT?) and so you couldnt do more than one DTR lookup
    through a CDD node at a time. If you had PL/I you could modify the
    example program to get around that problem.
    
    I hope by now SAS has a much better DSRI interface! The trick is
    to have SAS get data directly from the database rather than via
    the intermediate disk files.
    
    I wouldnt be surprised if the ORACLE interface is much like the
    old DTR interface.

1) Call SAS (919) 467-8000.
	SAS Institute Inc.
	Box 8000
	SAS Circle
	Cary, NC 27511-8000

  They will let you know what they offer.  Ask them to comment on .-1.

2) If SAS does not have a clean interface or if you want to look at a 
   2nd method, then try Software Interfaces RSTAT product.  It is a link
   between Rdb/VMS and SAS.  I have not seen the product but I have talked 
   to the developers and read the documentation. 

	Software Interfaces Inc
	13831 Northwest Freeeway
	Suite 355
	Houston, Texas  77040
	(713) 460-0707

    Here's the real story.
    
    The current version of SAS is written in PL/1. The base tape has
    an Rdb access routine that works via Datatrieve. It is cumbersome
    and slow. SAS is being rewritten in C. The new version will have
    an Rdb interface that uses SQL. That release is expected in Q3 calendar
    1989.
    
    Meanwhile, there is a software company in Houston that can supply
    a faster interface that works directly with Rdb. SAS can supply
    the company name.
    
    ---- Michael Booth

    I have some preliminary documentation, dated 29 November 1988, that
    describes the SAS Rdb/VMS extract procedure, called amazingly 'The
    RDBEXT Procedure'.
    
    It shows the command syntax to use. Its SQL format with an extension
    for any valid VAX SQL SELECT statement for the extract.
                                 
    I can send copies to interested parties as long as its not the world
    and his dog.

    As stated earlier, SAS will be supporting Rdb in its C imlementation,
    called SAS Release 6, currently scheduled for first revenue ship
    in Fall '89.  Calling it an interface is not quite accurate.  What
    they're doing in release 6 is a thing called 'the database engine'.
    Marketing terminology aside, what this does is allow storage of
    a SAS dataset directly in an SQL database.  Contrast this to what's
    there now, which allows data from a database to be entered (slowly)
    into a SAS dataset.  With the release in the Fall SAS will support
    two SQL databases on VMS: Oracle and Rdb.
    
    SAS is already talking this up to their/our customers, so feel free
    to ask them for more info.
    
    Regards,
    ed

    

    Can anyone out there give me an update on SAS?   Is their re-written C
    version released yet?  If so, has anyone used it and what was your
    impression?
    
    
    
    
    
    thanx
    Kevin
    

...in this week's Information Week is an advertisement on page 11.  It doesn't
talk about any particular releases but says "For a SAS System executive summary,
plus details about how you can receive the SAS Syatem for a free trial, give us
a call at 919-677-8200.

	SAS Institute Inc.
	Software Sales Department
	SAS Campus Drve
	Cary, NC 27513         "

     At a previous job we used SAS (pre version 6) to access RDB all of the
     time.  We actually wrote our own SAS to RDB interface (written in
     Pascal and SQL Module language).

     It was VERY easy to use, just place the SQL select statement write
     in your SAS code.

     If anyone would like additional information I would be happy to
     accomodate thru MAIL.

     -nasser-