Blob transfer speed optimizations

It is well known that transferring blobs in Firebird over high latency networks (i.e. internet) is very slow. The main reason is that transferring blobs always required lots of roundtrips. The good news is that the donations collected in the 21st Firebird Developers Day (FDD) Brazilian conference are being used to sponsor the improvement of blobs transfer speed. The changes are being developed by Vlad Khorsun and the currently results looks very good (see below)!

Note that the improvements are being developed in two phases. The first phase is ready and didn’t require any changes in the Firebird Wire Protocol, so it will be available in the upcoming Firebird 5.02 release. Transfer times were reduced by 33%-49%.

The second phase is still under development and requires changes in the Firebird Wire Protocol, so it will be available only in Firebird 6, but it already shows great results from 94%-97% improvement! In the best case, the time dropped from 12s to 477msecs!

A sad day for the Firebird Project

As seen in FirebirdSQL official site:

Helen Borrie, a key figure in the Firebird relational database project and a longtime contributor at IBPhoenix, passed away on January 2, 2025. Her contributions were essential to Firebird’s creation and its development over the past 25 years.

Helen’s dedication to the project was unwavering. She played a critical role in establishing the Firebird Foundation and managed its operations as the Foundation’s Secretary. Her work ensured that the project had the structure and support needed to grow and succeed. She often worked behind the scenes, making sure things ran smoothly and that the community had the resources it needed.

She was also the author of The Firebird Book, a comprehensive guide that became an invaluable resource for users and developers. Helen’s writing made Firebird accessible to many, helping them understand and use the database effectively. She was always ready to assist others, sharing her knowledge generously within the user community.

Helen’s quiet leadership and dedication left a lasting impact on Firebird and its users. Her efforts helped build not just a powerful database but also a strong, collaborative community. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and benefited from her work.

December Issue of EmberWings is Here!

The Firebird Project is happy to announce that the December issue of EmberWings is now available for download! This special edition marks the magazine’s debut under the Firebird Foundation, bringing you a refreshed focus on both Firebird administrators and application developers alike.

This issue is currently available only to all Firebird Associates and Firebird Partners. It will be available to the general public in December 2025.

Database Workbench 6.6.0 released

Upscene Productions is proud to announce the availability of the next release of the popular multi-DBMS development tool:

” Database Workbench 6.6.0″

We recently added SQLite support, this release adds support for Windows on ARM64 and full support for MySQL 9, MariaDB 11.3 & 11.4, as well as other new features, improvements and bugfixes.

Mind you: there’s a 50% discount on all Upscene products this month, visit the website for more information.

    Database Workbench 6 comes in 3 different editions with different pricing models, there’s always a version that suits you!

    Firebird Advent Calendar 2024

    From the Firebird Project

    This December, we invite you to join us in a special countdown that celebrates the holiday season and brings the Firebird community together. Each day, we’ll be unveiling exciting content, surprises, and fun activities to warm up your winter and keep you engaged with everything that makes Firebird special.

    But this isn’t just any countdown—it’s the start of the celebration leading up to Firebird’s 25th Anniversary in 2025! As we count down to this monumental milestone, we’ll share highlights from our past, present, and future, showcasing the power of collaboration that has driven Firebird forward over the years.

    So, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and let’s enjoy this festive season as we look ahead to an incredible year for Firebird. Together, we’re writing the next chapter of Firebird’s story—don’t miss a day!

    The Advent Calendar is featured on the Firebird website (Advent Calendar on menu), or use the direct link: https://www.firebirdsql.org/en/advent

    PHP 8.4 final released with Improvements for modern Firebird versions

    PHP 8.4 released with many Improvements for modern Firebird versions : This update brings crucial enhancements to the built-in PDO-Firebird driver. Now supporting modern data types, including DECFLOAT, the driver offers substantial benefits for PHP applications using Firebird 4 and 5.

    Related PDO-Firebird changes from PHP Changelog :

    • PDO_Firebird:
      • Fixed setAttribute and getAttribute.
      • Feature: Add transaction isolation level and mode settings to pdo_firebird.
      • Added class Pdo\Firebird.
      • Added Pdo\Firebird::ATTR_API_VERSION.
      • Added getApiVersion() and removed from getAttribute().
      • Supported Firebird 4.0 datatypes GH-14896
      • Support proper formatting of time zone types.
      • Fixed GH-15604 (Always make input parameters nullable).

    Press Release: Firebird Foundation Transitions to New European Base for Enhanced Project Support

    After more than two decades of operation from Australia, the Firebird Foundation is excited to announce a major transformation. A new organization of the same name has been established, now operating from the Czech Republic, within the European Union. This shift marks a significant step in strengthening the Foundation’s ties to Project Firebird, one of the leading open-source relational database systems.

    The new Firebird Foundation has been set up with a closer connection to Project Firebird, which enables a more efficient and focused approach to supporting its development. This change promises a range of advantages for Firebird users, especially for those who contribute to the ongoing development of the database.

    “We are excited about this transition,” said Alexey Kovyazin, former President of the Firebird Foundation in Australia. “Having the Firebird Foundation so closely linked to the core project team will streamline our ability to address the needs of Firebird users and drive the database’s progress more effectively. This will benefit the entire Firebird community, from individual developers to large enterprises relying on Firebird as their database solution.”

    As the world continues to face economic and technical challenges, ongoing support from the community is more crucial than ever. Firebird’s global user base relies on this database for mission-critical operations, and ensuring its continued development and innovation is key. The new Firebird Foundation, with its European location, is well-positioned to offer faster, more tailored responses to the evolving needs of users.

    Support the Future of Firebird

    The Firebird Foundation remains committed to supporting its community, and this change enhances its ability to do so. Users are encouraged to get involved by supporting the project through donations or sponsorships. Contributions directly impact Firebird’s development, allowing the project to remain a leading, cost-effective solution for developers and businesses worldwide.

    “We want to assure our community that Firebird remains strong,” said Pavel Císař, vice-president and secretary of new Firebird Foundation. “Our users and supporters are the backbone of this project, and their continued contributions are more important than ever in these difficult times. By supporting the Firebird Foundation, you are ensuring the future of this essential open-source database.”

    For more information about the new Firebird Foundation and how to contribute, visit [https://www.firebirdsql.org/en/firebird-foundation].

    About Firebird

    Firebird is a powerful, open-source relational database management system used worldwide by developers, enterprises, and individuals. It offers robust features and scalability while maintaining a small footprint, making it a preferred choice for a wide range of applications.

    Media Contact:
    Alexey Kovyazin, ak@firebirdsql.org

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