Chapter 2

New Features in Firebird 1.5

New Codebase, Better Optimization

This release was built from code ported from the original C to C++, a process begun by Mike Nordell back in 2000. Extensive code cleanup and bug-fixing has continued, along with new memory management and language enhancements. Not least, during the v.1.5 development process, the SQL query optimizer has undergone enhancements and fixes at the hands of Arno Brinkman and others, resulting in reported speed improvement of 30 to 60 percent and more.

Architecture

Two significant new additions for Windows platforms are Classic server and embedded server.

Note that

•There has not been a Classic server on Windows for nearly eight years. This one can utilize multiple processors, something which still eludes the Windows Superserver. Though usable, Classic should be regarded as experimental.

•Embedded server is a dll that merges a single client attachment with a Firebird Superserver for building very quick and efficient stand-alone and briefcase applications.

SQL Language

Several important new language features have been added since version 1.0.x, including the SQL-92 conditonal expression functions CASE, COALESCE and NULLIF. For syntax of these and other new language implementations, please refer to the Language Enhancements section later in this document.

Installed Modules and Security

If you have been using Firebird 1.0.x until now, you will notice big changes in the names of modules and the rules for accessing and locating them. Following are some highlights; for detailed information on installation, disk layout and configuration, see the relevant section in this document.

1.Most modules and constants have been renamed. In most cases, the new names involve some variant of “firebird” or “fb”. For example, the API library is now located in a shared library named “fbclient.dll” on Windows and “libfbclient.so” or “libfbembed.so” on other platforms.

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