Functional Specification

Copyright 2007 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cover Page for ARC Review

DBI PostgreSQL Interface for Perl Functional Specification

1 Project Description

PostgreSQL version 8.1 was integrated into Nevada & S10u2 in Spring 2006. The core product does not include any interface with Perl. The DBD::Pg driver, that is the PostgreSQL DBI interface will allow perl programs to work with PostgreSQL database. This project aims at integrating the DBD::Pg driver into Solaris.

1.1 Definition

For Perl applications to use PostgreSQL as backend, DBD::Pg driver is required along with the Generic DBI module.

The DBI defines the interface between perl applications and database system specific driver. This interface is very specific to Perl. DBD::Pg driver implements the interfaces defined in DBI for PostgreSQL. This driver is specific to PostgreSQL.

1.2 Motivation, Goals, and Requirements

Inclusion of DBD::Pg and DBI perl modules would strengthen Solaris as Out-of-the-Box platform for Perl-Postgres application developers. Considering the amount of perl developers use Postgres on Solaris, this will increase the Postgres offering on Solaris significantly.

1.3 Changes From the Previous Release

N/A. This is a new inclusion in Solaris.

1.4 Program Plan Overview

Both DBD::Pg and DBI are managed by the Perl community, relying on contributions from developers around the world for bug fixes and new features. This mainly includes the generic database interface (DBI) and postgres specific driver, DBD::Pg..

1.4.1 Development

The development process is distributed with most communication via emails. There is no product-manager for pgAdmin, so the artifacts like marketing and product requirement documents do not exist.

1.4.2 Quality Assurance/Testing

We will depend on the community for extensive testing. The community has a large testing structure. The build is performed on different platforms/operating systems using the appropriate compilers.

1.4.3 Documentation

The community supplies excellent documentation.

1.4.4 Release Cycle

There are two components of pgAdmin release cycle: community and Sun release. Since it is a community product, the release is unpredictable. For major Solaris releases, the latest version of DBD::Pg and DBI will be integrated.

1.4.5 Technical Support

Sun will offer support. Both DBI and DBD::Pg will be supported as part of the Postgres support offering.

1.4.6 Training

N/A

1.5 Related Projects

1.5.1 Dependencies on Other Sun Projects

None

1.5.2 Dependencies on Non-Sun Projects

Perl (part of ON)

1.5.3 Sun Projects Depending on this Project

None

1.5.4 Projects Rendered Obsolete by this Project

None

1.5.5 Related Active Projects [Describe the relationship.]

None

1.5.6 Suggested Projects to Enhance this Program

None

1.6 Competitive Analysis

2 Technical Description

2.1 Architecture

For Perl applications to use Postgres as backend, two components are needed. - Generic database Interface for Perl, DBI. This interface can be used by all database systems, such as MySQL, DB2 etc. - Postgres specific implementation of DBI, called DBD::Pg driver. Both these components are essentially perl modules.

2.2 Interfaces

See the interfaces.txt file in case materials.

2.3 User Interface

N/A

2.4 Compatibility and Interoperability

2.4.1 Standards Conformance

None

2.4.2 Operating System and Platform Compatibility

N/A. For both DBD::Pg and DBI the compatibility is same as Perl.

2.4.3 Interoperability with Sun Projects/Products

- Both DBD::Pg and DBI will be highly compatible with the latest Perl version in Solaris.
- DBD::Pg will be built against the latest version of Postgres binary available in Solaris.

2.4.4 Interoperability with External Products

None

2.4.5 Coexistence with Similar Functionality

Other databse systems such as MySQL, DB2 can have their Database drivers running on the same machine. The generic database interface (DBI) will be useful for all such drivers.

2.4.6 Support for Multiple Concurrent Instances

Yes

2.4.7 Compatibility with Earlier and Future Releases

The DBD::Pg driver is built against the latest version of Postgres. This driver will not work with any other postgres binaries available on the system.

2.5 Performance and Scalability

2.5.1 Performance Goals

N/A

2.5.2 Performance Measurement

N/A

2.5.3 Scalability Limits and Potential Bottlenecks

N/A

2.5.4 Static System Behavior

The static size of the full system install is approximately 2.5 MB.

2.5.5 Dynamic System Behavior

Depends on perl limitations and its dynamic behavior.

2.6 Failure and Recovery

2.6.1 Resource Exhaustion

None

2.6.2 Software Failures

N/A. Both DBD::Pg and DBI are perl modules, hence software failures will be taken care by Perl.

2.6.3 Network Failures

Taken care by Perl.

2.6.4 Data Integrity

Taken care by Perl.

2.6.5 State and Checkpointing

N/A.

2.6.6 Fault Detection

Taken care by Perl.

2.6.7 Fault Recovery (or Cleanup after Failure)

Taken care by Perl.

2.7 Security

Being perl modules, Both DBD::Pg and DBI rely on Perl for all security aspects.

2.8 Software Engineering and Usability

2.8.1 Namespace Management

Both DBD::Pg and DBI does not provide any extra interfaces.

2.8.2 Dependencies on non-Standard System Interfaces

None

2.8.3 Year 2000 Compliance

N/A. Taken care by perl.

2.8.4 Internationalization (I18N)

N/A. Taken care by perl.

2.8.5 64-bit Issues

None.

2.8.6 Porting to other Platforms

N/A. Taken care by perl.

2.8.7 Accessibility

N/A. Taken care by perl.

3 Release Information

The installation process installs the files into a standard location like /usr. There are two catogeries of files: binaries and documentation. No configuration is involved.

3.1 Product Packaging

Both DBD::Pg and DBI will be bundled with Solaris 10. There will also be releases available for download and manual install.

3.1.1 Package Overview

There will be 2 separate packages for DBD::Pg and DBI.
- SUNWpmdbi : for DBI.
- SUNWpmdbdpg : for DBD::Pg driver.

3.1.2 (Default) Installation Locations

/usr/perl5/vendor_perl. The directory vendor_perl has been identified for the binaries that will be supported. This is consistent with the current perl structure. All the files are specific to perl, hence they live only in perl directories.

3.1.3 Effect on External Environment

None

3.2 Installation

3.2.1 Installation procedure

Using pkgadd.

3.2.2 Effects on System Files

None.

3.2.3 Boot-Time Requirements

None.

3.2.4 Licensing

The Artistic License.

3.2.5 Upgrade

Releases are labeled in X.Y schema. X is the major version and Y is minor version.

3.2.6 Software Removal

Using pkgrm.

3.3 System Administration

N/A. Taken care by Perl.

4 Component Name Architecture

4.1 Description

4.2 Interfaces

4.2.1 User-visible

4.2.2 Internal (optional for ARC review)

4.3 Operation

---

Appendix A: Standards Supported 

---

References

R.1 Related Projects

R.2 Background Information for this Project or its Product

R.3 Interface Specifications

R.4 Project Details

---

Important References for embedded comments

[1] http://sac.eng/arc/Processes/Client.Handbook/

[2] http://sac.eng/BestPractices/interface_taxonomy.txt/

[3] Motif 1.2 Style Guide (sun part no. 801-5366-10)

[4] CDE Style Guide and Certification Checklist (Sun part no. 802-1581-10)

[5] Architectural Considerations Document, http://sac.eng.sun.com/arc/ARC-Considerations.html