Applications using the FairCom DB Local Library (LOCLIB) model can access local data directly from the hard disk like the Stand Alone model and logon as a client to one or more FairCom Servers, as in the client/server model. This model is especially popular on PC-based systems where speed and efficiency is gained by using the local drive in lieu of taking the network hit to access a FairCom Server. Temporary work files, extracted FairCom Server data, local database information, and special “on the fly” index files are typically candidates for local disk access.
A LOCLIB library is a merger of the FairCom DB Stand Alone file I/O logic and FairCom DB client communication logic into the same library. Applications linked with the combined library have the best of both worlds, being able to access a local disk and one or more FairCom Servers. The FairCom DB database function API is the same for both channels of I/O. Applications simply invoke a “switch” function call to direct the focus of the next operation. An application may log on to any number of FairCom Servers at the same time.
Benefits
Provides fast local data storage and retrieval without adding extra network traffic.
Complete source code for LOCLIB Library included in your FairCom DB package.
Configure local disk access as single-user, single-user transaction processing, or multi-user access. Allows an easy upgrade path to FairCom Server operation. Simply move the data under the FairCom Server and change connections to upgrade. See FairCom Server for migration information.
Applications can access data locally and/or log on to any number of FairCom Servers at the same time. Both stand-alone and client/server models are supported for the same application.
With heterogeneous support, this model provides a unique way to port data between different architectures. An application may read data from one platform and write it to another. The communication layer handles all necessary byte flipping.
Applications may “register” as many “c-tree” access channels to different databases as needed.
Applications may instigate “switch c-tree” calls to indicate which data source to direct the I/O.
Consideration
On multi-tasking operating systems, consider running a FairCom Server on the local machine instead of using the LOCLIB model. Although the LOCLIB model supports single-user transaction control, it does not support multi-user transaction control over the local data. Multi-user transaction control is supported by running a local FairCom Server.
