<PAGE>
 As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2000
                                                   Registration No. 333-______
==============================================================================

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                         -----------------------
                                 FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   UNDER
                        THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                         -----------------------
                           INFORMIX CORPORATION
          (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

               DELAWARE                                 94-3011736
      (STATE OF INCORPORATION )          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                            4100 BOHANNON DRIVE
                           MENLO PARK, CA 94025
                              (650) 926-6300
                 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                         -----------------------
               ARDENT SOFTWARE, INC. 1986 STOCK OPTION PLAN
           ARDENT SOFTWARE, INC. 1991 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
        ARDENT SOFTWARE, INC. 1995 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
         INFORMIX CORPORATION 1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                         (FULL TITLE OF THE PLANS)

                         -----------------------

                             GARY LLOYD, ESQ.
                VICE PRESIDENT, LEGAL, GENERAL COUNSEL AND
                                 SECRETARY
                            4100 BOHANNON DRIVE
                          MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, 94025
                              (650) 926-6300
          (NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                         -----------------------

                                COPY TO:
                           DOUGLAS H. COLLOM, ESQ.
                   WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.
                             650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                             PALO ALTO, CA 94304
                               (650) 493-9300

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===================================================================================================================================


                                                                                  PROPOSED          PROPOSED
                                                                MAXIMUM           MAXIMUM            MAXIMUM
                                                                AMOUNT            OFFERING          AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
           TITLE OF SECURITIES                                  TO BE             PRICE            OFFERING        REGISTRATION
             TO BE REGISTERED                                REGISTERED (1)     PER SHARE            PRICE             FEE

<S>                                                         <C>            <C>              <C>                     <C>
---------------------------------------------------         -------------  ---------------- ----------------------- -----------
Common Stock ($0.01 par value) issuable under:
Ardent Software, Inc. 1986 Stock Option Plan                   6,565,976    $   2.87   (2)    $    18,844,351  (2)     $  4,975
Ardent Software, Inc. 1991 Director Stock Option Plan            282,324    $   8.02   (2)    $     2,264,238  (2)     $    598
Ardent Software, Inc. 1995 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan    10,326,124    $   5.01   (2)    $    51,733,881  (2)     $ 13,658
Informix Corporation 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan      2,500,000    $  14.19   (3)    $    35,475,000  (3)     $  9,365
                   TOTAL                                      19,674,424                      $   108,317,471          $ 28,596
----------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------- ----------------------- -----------


(1)  Solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the number of
     shares to be registered under this Registration Statement has been broken
     down into three subtotals.
(2)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), solely for the purpose of
     computing the amount of the registration fee based on the weighted average
     exercise price shown per share covering outstanding but unexercised
     options under the Ardent Software, Inc. plans listed.
(3)  Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act. Such
     computation is based on the estimated exercise price of $14.19 per share
     computed in accordance with Rule 457(b) averaging the high and low prices
     of shares of Informix Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
     market on February 28, 2000.

===================================================================================================================================

</TABLE>




<PAGE>


                                     PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         Informix Corporation ("Informix") hereby incorporates by reference in
this registration statement the following documents:

     (a)  Informix's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

     (b)  Informix's Form 8-A, filed on January 21, 1987 (regarding the
          description of Informix Common Stock).

     (c)  Informix's Form 8-A, filed on September 19, 1991, as
          subsequently amended on May 27, 1992, August 11, 1995 and
          September 3, 1997 (regarding the Informix stockholders rights plan).

     All documents subsequently filed by Informix pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a
corporation to include in its charter documents and in agreements between the
corporation and its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of
indemnification beyond that specifically provided by current law.

         Article Eight of Informix's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides for the indemnification of directors to the fullest
extent permissible under Delaware law.

         Article VI of Informix's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of
officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of the corporation if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe
his conduct was unlawful.

                                   - 2 -
<PAGE>

         Informix has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors
and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in
Informix's Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any
new directors and executive officers in the future.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Informix
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Informix has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Informix of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
Informix in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, Informix will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


     EXHIBIT NUMBER                          DESCRIPTION
   ------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                  <C>
         4.1(a)*       Ardent Software, Inc. 1986 Stock Option Plan and form of stock option
                       agreement thereunder

         4.1(b)*       Ardent Software, Inc. 1991 Director Stock Option Plan and form of
                       agreement thereunder

         4.1(c)*       Amendment to 1991 Director Stock Option Plan effective January 31,
                       1995

         4.1(d)*       Amendment to 1991 Director Stock Option Plan effective July 29, 1996.

         4.1(e)**      Ardent Software, Inc. 1995 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and form
                       of stock option agreement thereunder

         4.1(f)        Informix Corporation 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan

         5.1           Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being registered

        23.1           Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors

        23.2           Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

        23.3           Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

        24.1           Power of Attorney (see page II-4)


</TABLE>

   -------------------



  *  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with Ardent
     Software, Inc.'s Form 10-K dated March 31, 1997.

                                   - 3 -


<PAGE>


**   Incorporated by reference to the respective exhibit of Ardent
     Software, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A, File No. 333-73267,
     dated March 23, 1999

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

   (a)   RULE 415 OFFERING.  Informix hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include
any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement;

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof; and

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

   (b)   FILING INCORPORATING SUBSEQUENT EXCHANGE ACT DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         Informix hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of Informix's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in
the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

   (c)   REQUEST FOR ACCELERATION OF EFFECTIVE DATE OR FILING OF
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of Informix pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
Informix has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by Informix of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Informix in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, Informix will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                   - 4 -



<PAGE>




                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
Informix has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Menlo
Park, State of California, on this 1st day of March, 2000.

                                INFORMIX CORPORATION

                                By:    /s/ Jean Yves F. Dexmier
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Jean Yves F. Dexmier
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE
APPEARS BELOW CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS JEAN-YVES F. DEXMIER AND GARY LLOYD AND
EACH ONE OF THEM, ACTING INDIVIDUALLY AND WITHOUT THE OTHER, AS HIS OR HER
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, EACH WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, FOR HIM IN ANY AND ALL
CAPACITIES, TO SIGN ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON
FORM S-8, AND TO FILE THE SAME, WITH EXHIBITS THERETO AND OTHER DOCUMENTS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH, WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, HEREBY
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING ALL THAT EACH OF SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, OR HIS
SUBSTITUTE OR SUBSTITUTES, MAY DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE BY VIRTUE HEREOF.

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                SIGNATURE                                           TITLE                                   DATE
----------------------------------------    --------------------------------------------------       -----------------
<S>                                         <C>                                                      <C>

       /s/ Jean Yves F. Dexmier             President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal         March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------    Executive Officer) and Director
       Jean Yves F. Dexmier

       /s/ Howard A. Bain III               Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer     March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
       Howard A. Bain III

       /s/ Leslie G. Denend                 Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Leslie G. Denend

       /s/ Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.         Chairman of the Board and Director                       March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.

       /s/ James L. Koch                    Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       James L. Koch

       /s/ Thomas A. McDonnell              Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Thomas A. McDonnell

       /s/ Cyril J. Yansouni                Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Cyril J. Yansouni

       /s/ George Reyes                     Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       George Reyes


</TABLE>


                                   - 5 -
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 17081}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "INFORMIX CORP", "cik": "0000799089", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "943011736", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-31670", "film-number": "560907"}, "business-address": {"street1": "4100 BOHANNON DR", "city": "MENLO PARK", "state": "CA", "zip": "94025", "phone": "6509266300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "4100 BOHANNON DRIVE", "city": "MENLOW PARK", "state": "CA", "zip": "94025"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2000
                                                   Registration No. 333-______
==============================================================================

                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                         -----------------------
                                 FORM S-8
                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   UNDER
                        THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                         -----------------------
                           INFORMIX CORPORATION
          (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

               DELAWARE                                 94-3011736
      (STATE OF INCORPORATION )          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

                            4100 BOHANNON DRIVE
                           MENLO PARK, CA 94025
                              (650) 926-6300
                 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                         -----------------------
               ARDENT SOFTWARE, INC. 1986 STOCK OPTION PLAN
           ARDENT SOFTWARE, INC. 1991 DIRECTOR STOCK OPTION PLAN
        ARDENT SOFTWARE, INC. 1995 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
         INFORMIX CORPORATION 1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                         (FULL TITLE OF THE PLANS)

                         -----------------------

                             GARY LLOYD, ESQ.
                VICE PRESIDENT, LEGAL, GENERAL COUNSEL AND
                                 SECRETARY
                            4100 BOHANNON DRIVE
                          MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, 94025
                              (650) 926-6300
          (NAME, ADDRESS, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

                         -----------------------

                                COPY TO:
                           DOUGLAS H. COLLOM, ESQ.
                   WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.
                             650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                             PALO ALTO, CA 94304
                               (650) 493-9300

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
===================================================================================================================================

                                                                                  PROPOSED          PROPOSED
                                                                MAXIMUM           MAXIMUM            MAXIMUM
                                                                AMOUNT            OFFERING          AGGREGATE        AMOUNT OF
           TITLE OF SECURITIES                                  TO BE             PRICE            OFFERING        REGISTRATION
             TO BE REGISTERED                                REGISTERED (1)     PER SHARE            PRICE             FEE
---------------------------------------------------         -------------  ---------------- ----------------------- -----------
Common Stock ($0.01 par value) issuable under:
Ardent Software, Inc. 1986 Stock Option Plan                   6,565,976    $   2.87   (2)    $    18,844,351  (2)     $  4,975
Ardent Software, Inc. 1991 Director Stock Option Plan            282,324    $   8.02   (2)    $     2,264,238  (2)     $    598
Ardent Software, Inc. 1995 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan    10,326,124    $   5.01   (2)    $    51,733,881  (2)     $ 13,658
Informix Corporation 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan      2,500,000    $  14.19   (3)    $    35,475,000  (3)     $  9,365
                   TOTAL                                      19,674,424                      $   108,317,471          $ 28,596
----------------------------------------------------------  -------------  ---------------- ----------------------- -----------

(1)  Solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the number of
     shares to be registered under this Registration Statement has been broken
     down into three subtotals.
(2)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(h) promulgated under the Securities
     Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), solely for the purpose of
     computing the amount of the registration fee based on the weighted average
     exercise price shown per share covering outstanding but unexercised
     options under the Ardent Software, Inc. plans listed.
(3)  Computed in accordance with Rule 457(h) of the Securities Act. Such
     computation is based on the estimated exercise price of $14.19 per share
     computed in accordance with Rule 457(b) averaging the high and low prices
     of shares of Informix Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National
     market on February 28, 2000.

===================================================================================================================================
PART II

               INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3.  INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         Informix Corporation ("Informix") hereby incorporates by reference in
this registration statement the following documents:

     (a)  Informix's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999 filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

     (b)  Informix's Form 8-A, filed on January 21, 1987 (regarding the
          description of Informix Common Stock).

     (c)  Informix's Form 8-A, filed on September 19, 1991, as
          subsequently amended on May 27, 1992, August 11, 1995 and
          September 3, 1997 (regarding the Informix stockholders rights plan).

     All documents subsequently filed by Informix pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement which indicates that all
securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.

ITEM 4.  DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 5.  INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 6.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits a
corporation to include in its charter documents and in agreements between the
corporation and its directors and officers, provisions expanding the scope of
indemnification beyond that specifically provided by current law.

         Article Eight of Informix's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides for the indemnification of directors to the fullest
extent permissible under Delaware law.

         Article VI of Informix's Bylaws provides for the indemnification of
officers, directors and third parties acting on behalf of the corporation if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in and
not opposed to the best interest of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, the indemnified party had no reason to believe
his conduct was unlawful.

                                   - 2 -
Informix has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors
and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in
Informix's Bylaws, and intends to enter into indemnification agreements with any
new directors and executive officers in the future.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Informix
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Informix has been informed that in the
opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Informix of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of
Informix in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, Informix will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by
the final adjudication of such issue.

ITEM 7.  EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

         Not applicable.

ITEM 8.  EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT NUMBER                          DESCRIPTION
   ------------------- --------------------------------------------------------
4.1(a)*       Ardent Software, Inc. 1986 Stock Option Plan and form of stock option
                       agreement thereunder

         4.1(b)*       Ardent Software, Inc. 1991 Director Stock Option Plan and form of
                       agreement thereunder

         4.1(c)*       Amendment to 1991 Director Stock Option Plan effective January 31,
                       1995

         4.1(d)*       Amendment to 1991 Director Stock Option Plan effective July 29, 1996.

         4.1(e)**      Ardent Software, Inc. 1995 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and form
                       of stock option agreement thereunder

         4.1(f)        Informix Corporation 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan

         5.1           Opinion of Counsel as to legality of securities being registered

        23.1           Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Auditors

        23.2           Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

        23.3           Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

        24.1           Power of Attorney (see page II-4)
-------------------

  *  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit filed with Ardent
     Software, Inc.'s Form 10-K dated March 31, 1997.

                                   - 3 -
**   Incorporated by reference to the respective exhibit of Ardent
     Software, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A, File No. 333-73267,
     dated March 23, 1999

ITEM 9.  UNDERTAKINGS.

   (a)   RULE 415 OFFERING.  Informix hereby undertakes:

         (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include
any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement;

         (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
initial bona fide offering thereof; and

         (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

   (b)   FILING INCORPORATING SUBSEQUENT EXCHANGE ACT DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

         Informix hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act, each filing of Informix's annual report
pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where
applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant
to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in
the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.

   (c)   REQUEST FOR ACCELERATION OF EFFECTIVE DATE OR FILING OF
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8.

         Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of Informix pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
Informix has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by Informix of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Informix in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, Informix will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                   - 4 -
SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
Informix has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-8 to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Menlo
Park, State of California, on this 1st day of March, 2000.

                                INFORMIX CORPORATION

                                By:    /s/ Jean Yves F. Dexmier
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Jean Yves F. Dexmier
                                       President and Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, THAT EACH PERSON WHOSE SIGNATURE
APPEARS BELOW CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS JEAN-YVES F. DEXMIER AND GARY LLOYD AND
EACH ONE OF THEM, ACTING INDIVIDUALLY AND WITHOUT THE OTHER, AS HIS OR HER
ATTORNEY-IN-FACT, EACH WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION, FOR HIM IN ANY AND ALL
CAPACITIES, TO SIGN ANY AND ALL AMENDMENTS TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON
FORM S-8, AND TO FILE THE SAME, WITH EXHIBITS THERETO AND OTHER DOCUMENTS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH, WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, HEREBY
RATIFYING AND CONFIRMING ALL THAT EACH OF SAID ATTORNEYS-IN-FACT, OR HIS
SUBSTITUTE OR SUBSTITUTES, MAY DO OR CAUSE TO BE DONE BY VIRTUE HEREOF.

         PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.
SIGNATURE                                           TITLE                                   DATE
----------------------------------------    --------------------------------------------------       -----------------
/s/ Jean Yves F. Dexmier             President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal         March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------    Executive Officer) and Director
       Jean Yves F. Dexmier

       /s/ Howard A. Bain III               Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer     March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
       Howard A. Bain III

       /s/ Leslie G. Denend                 Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Leslie G. Denend

       /s/ Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.         Chairman of the Board and Director                       March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Robert J. Finocchio, Jr.

       /s/ James L. Koch                    Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       James L. Koch

       /s/ Thomas A. McDonnell              Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Thomas A. McDonnell

       /s/ Cyril J. Yansouni                Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       Cyril J. Yansouni

       /s/ George Reyes                     Director                                                 March 1, 2000
----------------------------------------
       George Reyes
- 5 -