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General Communications API (GCA)/General Communications Facility(GCF) API External Interface Specification

Introduction

GCF specifies a set of services and protocols by which components of a heterogeneous distributed relational database management system can communicate. It allows the transfer of commands and data between any frontend and any DBMS server, INGRES/STAR server, or gateway (Enterprise Access or EDBC). This transfer occurs despite differences in machine architecture, network protocols, data managers, DBMS interfaces, and database configurations.

GCF supports application protocols such as initiation and release of associations, query processing, interruption, and transaction management with one and two phase commit. GCF uses standard proprietary network protocol implementations, including DECNet, TCP/IP, and SNA. The details of the communication are hidden within the lower layers of the GCF system.

GCA provides the Application Program Interface through which front-ends, back-ends, and distributed back-ends access GCF services. GCA allows these components to communicate in terms of native data entities such as tuples, tuple descriptors, queries, and commands. GCA defines:

• The set of messages by which components communicate
• The sequence in which these messages are sent
• The data objects that are transmitted through the messages
• The data types and formats which may be used in message

More Detailed Information

The GCA/GCF API External Specification Version 8.0, current as of Ingres 2006r3, is attached.