For your initial tests, the easiest way to populate the database is to type INSERT statements in DB-Access. For example, to insert a row into the manufact table of the demonstration database, enter the following command in DB-Access:
INSERT INTO manufact VALUES ('MKL', 'Martin', 15);
If you are preparing an application program, such as an application in C, you can use the application to enter rows into a database table.
The following table lists IBM Informix tools that you can use for entering information into your database. The acronyms in the Reference column are explained after the table.
| Tool | Purpose | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| dbaccessdemo dbaccessdemo_ud | Prepare and populate sample databases. | DB-A SQLR |
| DB-Access | Edit a database by entering explicit commands. | DB-A SQLS |
| SQL Editor | Edit a database by entering explicit commands. | online help SQLS |
| onunload & onload utilities | Copy an entire database or selected database tables from files on tape or disk. | MG AR |
| dbload | Load data from one or more text files into one or more existing tables. | MG |
| High-Performance Loader | Copy an entire database, selected tables, or selected columns of selected tables. | HPL |
| LOAD UNLOAD | Load data from a text file. | SQLS |
| dbexport & dbimport | Copy an entire database using text files. | MG |
| Enterprise Replication | Update selected databases each time a specified table is updated. | ER |
| onxfer | Copy data to an Extended Parallel Server from IBM Informix Dynamic Server. | MG |
| C application | Use SQL commands embedded in a C program to update databases. | ESQLC DAPI DBDK |
| Java application | Use SQL commands embedded in a Java program to update databases. | Java DBDK |
| Gateway applications | Access data from non-Informix databases. | GM GU |