Firebird Documentation IndexFirebird 1.5.6 Release NotesNew Features in Firebird 1.5 → More Improvements
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More Improvements

Trimming of Varchar fields for Remote Protocols
Multi-action Trigger Semantics
Enhancement to Named Constraints
Maximum Indexes per Table Increased
Pessimistic Locking
Security Database Connection Caching
Error-reporting Improvements
Services API on Classic for Linux

Trimming of Varchar fields for Remote Protocols

Work was resumed and completed on this tricky feature for the 1.5 client and varchars now cross the wire right-trimmed to actual length plus two bytes.

Note

As it is the client that requests the server to trim varchars, the Firebird 1.5 client (fbclient.dll or libfbclient.so) will trim, even if connected to a pre-1.5 server version. If you use an old client, you will not get trimming, even if you are connected to a 1.5 or later server.

Multi-action Trigger Semantics

Now you can write conditional insert/update/delete actions in one Before or After trigger to have the one trigger cover all DML actions for that trigger's phase. This cuts down the composition and maintenance of triggers without deprecating the ability to have multiple triggers per phase.

Enhancement to Named Constraints

Indexes that enforce named integrity constraints may now be named with user-defined identifiers.

Caution

If you use this feature, your database will not be downgradable to v.1.0.x or InterBase®.

Maximum Indexes per Table Increased

Now-in both Release 1.0 and this release-the maximum number of indexes you can define for a table has been increased from 64 to 256.

Pessimistic Locking

For the rare times when you need to impose a pessimistic lock, this release adds syntax to place a “reader's lock” on rows as they are output to the client. Use with care.

Security Database Connection Caching

Connection to the security database is cached in Superserver builds. It means that security.fdb is loaded when the first connection is made and stays attached until all client connections are gone.

Error-reporting Improvements

Where possible, error messages report the cause of SQL errors at a more detailed level. It is IMPORTANT to note that you will encounter bizarre messages if you use an old interbase.msg or firebird.msg file.

Services API on Classic for Linux

Limited support for the Services API is now available on Classic server on Linux. Services available from gbak (backup/restore) and gfix (validate database, shutdown/online, etc.) work. Others (gstat, server logs, etc.) were not tested and are probably non-functional.

Prev: Installed Modules and SecurityFirebird Documentation IndexUp: New Features in Firebird 1.5Next: Changes in the Client Libraries
Firebird Documentation IndexFirebird 1.5.6 Release NotesNew Features in Firebird 1.5 → More Improvements