Firebird 4.0 UDF

[Henry Olive 5]

I wish everyone a healthy day.
 

In my data path there are udf.sql, udflib.c, udflib.def  files

I copied below code from Firebird's  udf.sql
when i try to execute below code in Flame Robin

I'm getting  CREATE FUNCTION SUBSTR failed
unknown ISC error 336068876
 

DECLARE EXTERNAL FUNCTION substr 
    CSTRING(256), SMALLINT, SMALLINT
    RETURNS CSTRING(80) FREE_IT
    ENTRY_POINT 'fn_substr' MODULE_NAME 'udflib'

 

What is wrong ?
Thank You

 

[Serge_G 87]

Hi,

First, know that :

1. there are many internal functions in Firebird SUBSTR should be replaced advantageously by SUBSTRING (even if a little more "verbose" syntax)
2. Udf are deprecated in Firebird 4.0 (P.S. don't ask me about UDR, I am still with 2.5 in production, 3 running only for test, 4 only installed)
3. read 5.10 chapter of Firebird 4.0 Language reference

 

In my mind, Firebird 3 is  closer Interbase

For the declaration of the UDF, I think you have to first check firebird .conf file (default parameter “UdfAccess” set to “None” ) , 

 

UDFs directories and bitness  of the library also involved

Edited November 16, 2021 by Serge_G

[Henry Olive 5]

Thank you so much Serge

firebird.conf  file says below message

NOTE: THE EXTERNAL FUNCTION ENGINE FEATURE COULD BE USED TO COMPROMISE
# THE SERVER/HOST AS WELL AS DATABASE SECURITY!!
# IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THIS SETTING REMAINS NONE!

Any advice to use SUBSTR function ?

Thank You
 

[Serge_G 87]

firebird .conf says
 

# ----------------------------
# External Function (UDF) Paths/Directories
#
# UdfAccess may be None, Full or Restrict. If you choose
# Restrict, provide ';'-separated trees list, where UDF libraries
# are stored. Relative paths are treated relative to the root directory
# of firebird.
#
# Since FB4.0 default value is None. Set it to 'Restrict UDF' to have
# the same restrictions as in previous FB versions. To specify access
# to specific trees, enum all required paths (for Windows this may be
# something like 'C:\ExternalFunctions', for unix - '/db/udf;/mnt/udf').
#
# NOTE: THE EXTERNAL FUNCTION ENGINE FEATURE COULD BE USED TO COMPROMISE
# THE SERVER/HOST AS WELL AS DATABASE SECURITY!!
#
# IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THIS SETTING REMAINS NONE!
#
# Type: string (special format)
#
#UdfAccess = None

First change is to uncomment (removing #) last line and say UdfAccess = Restrict UDF  as wrote line 10 (pointing the dir_udf directory C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_4 _0\UDF)  or indicate directories like indicated below line 10 

UdfAcess=C:\interbase\UDF;C:\MyUDF ....

 

If you make a non customed  install of Firebird 4.0 you should see the UDF directory don't exist, and no udflib dll copied

 

AS I said if you want a near Interbase Firebird use version 3

 

 

 

Edited November 16, 2021 by Serge_G

[Vandrovnik 214]

5 hours ago, Henry Olive said:

Any advice to use SUBSTR function ?

 

Use SUBSTRING instead of SUBSTR, as Serge_G wrote...

Edited November 16, 2021 by Vandrovnik

[Henry Olive 5]

Thank you SO MUCH  Serge, Vandrovnik

SUBSTRING solves my problem
 

[Stano 143]

Here is a link directly to FB support. These questions belong there: https://groups.google.com/g/firebird-support?pli=1

[Henry Olive 5]

Thank you Stano

[Frickler 11]

On 11/16/2021 at 12:40 PM, Henry Olive said:

Thank you SO MUCH  Serge, Vandrovnik

SUBSTRING solves my problem
 

Interbase has virtually no internal functions. Not even in the newest versions. All has to be done in UDFs. The Firebird developers on the other hand had changed that from the beginning.