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                                                                Exhibit 10.50

                                 INFORMIX CORPORATION

                         1997 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN


     1.   PURPOSES OF THE PLAN.  The purposes of this Non-Statutory Stock
Option Plan are:

          -    to attract and retain the best available personnel for
               positions of substantial responsibility,

          -    to provide additional incentive to Employees, and

          -    to promote the success of the Company's business.

     Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options.

     2.   DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

          (a)  "ADMINISTRATOR" means the Board or any of its Committees as
shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

          (b)  "APPLICABLE LAWS" means the requirements relating to the
administration of stock option plans under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S.
federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws
of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Options are, or will be, granted
under the Plan.

          (c)  "BOARD" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (d)  "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          (e)  "COMMITTEE"  means a committee of Directors appointed by the
Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

          (f)  "COMMON STOCK" means the common stock of the Company.

          (g)  "COMPANY" means Informix Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

          (h)  "CONSULTANT" means any person, including an advisor, engaged
by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

          (i)  "DIRECTOR" means a member of the Board.

          (j)  "DISABILITY" means total and permanent disability as defined
in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

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          (k)  "EMPLOYEE" means any person, including Officers, employed by
the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.  An Employee shall
not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved
by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between
the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor.  Neither service
as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company shall be
sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

          (l)  "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

          (m)  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, as of any date, the value of Common
Stock determined as follows:

               (i)    If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock
exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq
National Market or The Nasdaq SmallCap Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its
Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the
closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system
for the last market trading day prior to the time of determination, as
reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other source as the Administrator
deems reliable;

               (ii)   If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized
securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value
of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low
asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day prior to the
day of determination, as reported in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL or such other
source as the Administrator deems reliable;

               (iii)  In the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the
Administrator.

          (n)  "NOTICE OF GRANT" means a written or electronic notice
evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Option grant.  The
Notice of Grant is part of the Option Agreement.

          (o)  "OFFICER" means a person who is an officer of the Company
pursuant to the specifications set forth in the By-Laws of the Company.

          (p)  "OPTION" means a nonstatutory stock option granted pursuant to
the Plan, that is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder.

          (q)  "OPTION AGREEMENT" means an agreement between the Company and
an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option
grant.  The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.

          (r)  "OPTION EXCHANGE PROGRAM" means a program whereby outstanding
options are surrendered in exchange for options with a lower exercise price.


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          (s)  "OPTIONED STOCK" means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

          (t)  "OPTIONEE" means the holder of an outstanding Option granted
under the Plan.

          (u)  "PARENT" means a "parent corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

          (v)  "PLAN" means this 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan.

          (w)  "SHARE" means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in
accordance with Section 12 of the Plan.

          (x)  "SUBSIDIARY" means a "subsidiary corporation," whether now or
hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

     3.   STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to the provisions of Section 12
of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be optioned and
sold under the Plan is 500,000 Shares.  The Shares may be authorized, but
unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

     4.   ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)  The Plan shall be administered by (i) the Board or (ii) a
Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

          (b)  POWERS OF THE ADMINISTRATOR.  Subject to the provisions of the
Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties
delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the
authority, in its discretion:

               (i)    to determine the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock;

               (ii)   to select the Employees to whom Options may be granted
hereunder;

               (iii)  to determine whether and to what extent Options are
granted hereunder;

               (iv)   to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be
covered by each Option granted hereunder;

               (v)    to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

               (vi)   to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of the Plan, of any award granted hereunder.  Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or
times when Options may be exercised (which may be based on performance
criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and
any restriction or limitation


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regarding any Option  or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based
in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion,
shall determine;

               (vii)  to reduce the exercise price of any Option to the then
current Fair Market Value if the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock
covered by such Option shall have declined since the date the Option was
granted;

               (viii) to institute an Option Exchange Program;

               (ix)   to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and
awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

               (x)    to modify or amend each Option (subject to Section
14(b) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the
post-termination exercisability period of Options longer than is otherwise
provided for in the Plan;

               (xi)   to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the
Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Option or
previously granted by the Administrator;

               (xii)  to determine the terms and restrictions applicable to
Options;

               (xiii) to allow Optionees to satisfy withholding tax
obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be
issued upon exercise of an Option that number of Shares having a Fair Market
Value equal to the amount required to be withheld.  The Fair Market Value of
the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of
tax to be withheld is to be determined.  All elections by an Optionee to have
Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such
conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable; and

               (xiv)  to make all other determinations deemed necessary or
advisable for administering the Plan.

          (c)  EFFECT OF ADMINISTRATOR'S DECISION.  The Administrator's
decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on
all Optionees and any other holders of Options.

     5.   ELIGIBILITY.  Options may be granted hereunder to Employees and
Consultants, provided, however, that Options may only be granted to Officers
and Directors hereunder as an inducement essential into their entering into
an employment contract with the Company.

     6.   LIMITATION.  Neither the Plan nor any Option shall confer upon an
Optionee any right with respect to continuing the Optionee's relationship as
an Employee with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the
Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such relationship at any
time, with or without cause.


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     7.   TERM OF PLAN.  The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by
the Board.  It shall continue in effect for ten (10) years, unless sooner
terminated under Section 14 of the Plan.

     8.   TERM OF OPTION.  The term of each Option shall be stated in the
Option Agreement.

     9.   OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.

          (a)  EXERCISE PRICE.  The per share exercise price for the Shares
to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the
Administrator.

          (b)  WAITING PERIOD AND EXERCISE DATES.  At the time an Option is
granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may
be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied
before the Option may be exercised.

          (c)  FORM OF CONSIDERATION.  The Administrator shall determine the
acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the
method of payment.  Such consideration may consist entirely of:

               (i)    cash;

               (ii)   check;

               (iii)  promissory note;

               (iv)   other Shares which (A) in the case of Shares acquired
upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more than six
months on the date of surrender, and (B) have a Fair Market Value on the date
of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which
said Option shall be exercised;

               (v)    consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

               (vi)   a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to
the Optionee, including any liability attributable to the Optionee's
participation in any Company-sponsored deferred compensation program or
arrangement;

               (vii)  such other consideration and method of payment for the
issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or

               (viii) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.

     10.  EXERCISE OF OPTION.


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          (a)  PROCEDURE FOR EXERCISE; RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER. Any Option
granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and
at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator
and set forth in the Option Agreement.  An Option may not be exercised for a
fraction of a Share.

               An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives:
(i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option
Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full
payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised.  Full
payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by
the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan.  Shares
issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee
or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her
spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on
the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a
stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding
the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued)
such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised.  No adjustment will be
made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the
date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

               Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number
of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale
under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

          (b)  TERMINATION OF RELATIONSHIP AS AN EMPLOYEE.  If an Optionee
ceases to be a an Employee, other than upon the Optionee's death or
Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option, but only within such
period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement, and only to the
extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event
later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the
Option Agreement).  If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not
vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the
Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such
Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (c)  DISABILITY OF OPTIONEE.  If an Optionee ceases to be an
Employee as a result of the Optionee's Disability, the Optionee may exercise
his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option
Agreement, to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination,
including as to accelerated vesting as set forth in the Option Agreement (but
in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth
in the Option Agreement).  If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is
not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested
portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan.  If, after termination, the
Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified
herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option
shall revert to the Plan.

          (d)  DEATH OF OPTIONEE.  If an Optionee dies while an Employee, the
Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the
Option Agreement (but in no event later than


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the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Notice of
Grant), by the Optionee's estate or by a person who acquires the right to
exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that
the Option is vested on the date of death, including as to accelerated
vesting as set forth in the Option Agreement.  If, at the time of death, the
Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by
the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan.  The
Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee's
estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under
the Optionee's will or the laws of descent or distribution.  If the Option is
not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

          (e)  BUYOUT PROVISIONS.  The Administrator may at any time offer to
buy out for a payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted based
on such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and
communicate to the Optionee at the time that such offer is made.

     11.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS.  Unless determined otherwise by
the Administrator, an Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned,
hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or
by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the
lifetime of the Optionee, only by the Optionee.  If the Administrator makes
an Option transferable, such Option shall contain such additional terms and
conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

     12.  ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, DISSOLUTION, MERGER,
          ASSET SALE OR CHANGE OF CONTROL.

          (a)  CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Subject to any required action by
the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock covered
by each outstanding Option, and the number of shares of Common Stock which
have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Options
have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon
cancellation or expiration of an Option, as well as the price per share of
Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Option, shall be
proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued
shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split,
stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any
other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock
effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however,
that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be
deemed to have been "effected without receipt of consideration."  Such
adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect
shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein,
no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no
adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or
price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

          (b)  DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION.  In the event of the proposed
dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify
each Optionee as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such
proposed transaction.  The Administrator in its discretion may provide for an
Optionee to have the right to exercise his or her Option until ten (10) days
prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby,
including Shares as to which the Option would not


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otherwise be exercisable.  In addition, the Administrator may provide that
any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon
exercise of an Option shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the
proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner
contemplated.  To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Option
will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

          (c)  MERGER OR ASSET SALE.   Subject to the provisions of paragraph
(d) hereof, in the event of a merger of the Company with or into another
corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company,
each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent option or right
substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the
successor corporation.  In the event that the successor corporation refuses
to assume or substitute for the Option, the Optionee shall fully vest in and
have the right to exercise the Option as to all of the Optioned Stock,
including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable.
If an Option becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or
substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator
shall notify the Optionee in writing or electronically that the Option shall
be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the
date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of
such period.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option shall be
considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or
right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned
Stock, immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration
(whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger
or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the
effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of
consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority
of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration
received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of the
successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent
of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received
upon the exercise of the Option, for each Share of Optioned Stock to be
solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair
market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common
Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

          (d)  CHANGE IN CONTROL.  In the event of a "Change in Control" of
the Company, the term and conditions of Optionee's employment agreement, if
any, shall govern the acceleration of vesting of Optionee's outstanding
Options, if any.  A "Change in Control" shall be the occurrence of any of the
following events:

               (i)    Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) of the Exchange Act becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of
the Company representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by
the Company's then outstanding voting securities;

               (ii)   A change in the composition of the Board occurring
within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than  a majority of the
directors are Incumbent Directors.  "Incumbent Directors" shall mean
directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of July 22, 1997, or
(B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative
votes of at least a majority of the

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Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but shall not
include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an
actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to
the Company);

               (iii)  The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the
Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation which
would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least
fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting
securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately
after such merger or consolidation; or

               (iv)   The consummation of the sale or disposition by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

     13.  DATE OF GRANT.  The date of grant of an Option shall be, for all
purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination
granting such Option, or such other later date as is determined by the
Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Optionee
within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

     14.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

          (a)  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.  The Board may at any time amend,
alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

          (b)  EFFECT OF AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any
Optionee, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Optionee and the
Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Optionee
and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator's
ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to
options granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

     15.  CONDITIONS UPON ISSUANCE OF SHARES.

          (a)  LEGAL COMPLIANCE.  Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the
exercise of an Option unless the exercise of such Option and the issuance and
delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be
further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to
such compliance.

          (b)  INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS.  As a condition to the exercise of
an Option the Company may require the person exercising such Option  to
represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are
being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell
or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such
a representation is required.


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     16.  INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY.  The inability of the Company to
obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which
authority is deemed by the Company's counsel to be necessary to the lawful
issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any
liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which
such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

     17.  RESERVATION OF SHARES.  The Company, during the term of this Plan,
will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall
be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.


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                              INFORMIX CORPORATION

                      1997 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


     Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall
have the same defined meanings in this Option Agreement.

I.  NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

Optionee:

     As an inducement essential into your entering into an employment
agreement with the Company, you have been granted an option to purchase
Common Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan
and this Option Agreement, as follows:

     Grant Number

     Date of Grant

     Vesting Commencement Date

     Exercise Price per Share

     Total Number of Shares Granted

     Total Exercise Price

     Type of Option:                    Nonstatutory Stock Option

     Term/Expiration Date:


     VESTING SCHEDULE:

     Subject to the Optionee continuing to be an Employee on such dates, and
subject to accelerated vesting as provided in the employment agreement by and
between Employee and the Company (the "Employment Agreement") or in Section
II.2 of this Option Agreement, this Option shall vest and become exercisable
as to 25% of the Shares originally subject to the Option on each anniversary
of the date of grant.  In the event Optionee continues to provide services as
a Consultant to the Company after


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<PAGE>

termination of employment (and subject to approval by the Board), this Option
shall continue to vest and become exercisable as to 25% of the Shares
originally subject to the Option on each anniversary of the date of grant.

     TERMINATION PERIOD:

     In the event Optionee is terminated for Cause (as defined below), this
Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to be an
Employee (or, with the approval of the Board, a Consultant).  Upon
termination for death or Disability of the Optionee, or if Optionee is
terminated other than for Cause, this Option may be exercised for twelve
months after Optionee ceases to be an Employee (or, with the approval of the
Board, a Consultant).  In no event shall this Option be exercised later than
the Term/Expiration Date as provided above.

     For purposes of this Stock Option Agreement, "Cause" shall mean (i)
Optionee's engaging in willful misconduct which is materially injurious to
the Company or its affiliates; (ii) Optionee's committing a felony, (iii)
Optionee's committing an act of fraud against the Company or its affiliates;
or (iv) Optionee's willful breaching, in any material respect, of the
Employee Confidentiality/Ownership/Nonsolicitation Agreement between Optionee
and the Company.

II.  AGREEMENT

     1.   GRANT OF OPTION.  The Plan Administrator of the Company hereby
grants to the Optionee named in the Notice of Grant attached as Part I of
this Agreement (the "Optionee") an option (the "Option") to purchase the
number of Shares, as set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price
per share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the "Exercise Price"), subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by
reference.  Subject to Section 14(b) of the Plan, in the event of a conflict
between the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions of
this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

     2.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.

          (a)  RIGHT TO EXERCISE.  This Option is exercisable during its term
in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and
the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Option Agreement, if the
Optionee's employment (or, with the Board's approval, consulting
relationship) is terminated due to death or Disability prior to the time when
this Option is fully exercisable, the right to exercise this Option shall, on
the date of death or Disability, accrue as to an additional 25% of the Shares
originally subject to this Option (but not as to more than 100% of the Shares
originally subject to the Option) in addition to the Shares (if any) which
have become exercisable in accordance with the Vesting Schedule.

          (b)  METHOD OF EXERCISE.  This Option is exercisable by delivery of
an exercise notice, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Exercise
Notice"), which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number
of Shares in respect of which the Option is being exercised (the "Exercised
Shares"), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by
the Company pursuant to the


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<PAGE>

provisions of the Plan.  The Exercise Notice shall be completed by the
Optionee and delivered to the Secretary of the Company.  The Exercise Notice
shall be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all
Exercised Shares.  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt
by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by such
aggregate Exercise Price.

          No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of this Option
unless such issuance and exercise complies with Applicable Laws.  Assuming
such compliance, for income tax purposes the Exercised Shares shall be
considered transferred to the Optionee on the date the Option is exercised
with respect to such Exercised Shares.

     3.   METHOD OF PAYMENT.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall
be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the
Optionee:

          (a)  cash;

          (b)  check;

          (c)  consideration received by the Company under a cashless
exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

          (d)  surrender of other Shares which (i) in the case of Shares
acquired upon exercise of an option, have been owned by the Optionee for more
than six (6) months on the date of surrender, AND (ii) have a Fair Market
Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the
Exercised Shares.

     4.   NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION.  This Option may not be transferred
in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or
distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Optionee only by the
Optionee.  The terms of the Plan and this Option Agreement shall be binding
upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors and assigns of the
Optionee.

     5.   TERM OF OPTION.  This Option may be exercised only within the term
set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in
accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

     6.   TAX CONSEQUENCES.  Some of the federal tax consequences relating to
this Option, as of the date of this Option, are set forth below.  THIS
SUMMARY IS NECESSARILY INCOMPLETE, AND THE TAX LAWS AND REGULATIONS ARE
SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  THE OPTIONEE SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISER BEFORE
EXERCISING THIS OPTION OR DISPOSING OF THE SHARES.

          (a)  EXERCISING THE OPTION.  The Optionee may incur regular federal
income tax liability upon exercise of an NSO.  The Optionee will be treated
as having received compensation income (taxable at ordinary income tax rates)
equal to the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of the Exercised Shares
on the date of exercise over their aggregate Exercise Price.  If the Optionee
is an


                                    -3-
<PAGE>

Employee or a former Employee, the Company will be
required to withhold from his or her compensation or collect from Optionee
and pay to the applicable taxing authorities an amount in cash equal to a
percentage of this compensation income at the time of exercise, and may
refuse to honor the exercise and refuse to deliver Shares if such withholding
amounts are not delivered at the time of exercise.

          (b)  DISPOSITION OF SHARES.  If the Optionee holds NSO Shares for
at least one year, any gain realized on disposition of the Shares will be
treated as long-term capital gain for federal income tax purposes.

     7.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan and Employment Agreement
are incorporated herein by reference.  The Plan, Employment Agreement and
this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all
prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Optionee with respect to
the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to the
Optionee's interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and
Optionee.  This agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but
not the choice of law rules, of California.

     8.   NO GUARANTEE OF CONTINUED SERVICE.  OPTIONEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND
AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS
EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS AN EMPLOYEE (OR, WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD,
CONSULTANT) AT THE WILL OF THE COMPANY (AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING
HIRED, BEING GRANTED AN OPTION OR PURCHASING SHARES HEREUNDER).  OPTIONEE
FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS
CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN DO NOT
CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS AN
EMPLOYEE FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT
INTERFERE WITH OPTIONEE'S RIGHT OR THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TERMINATE
OPTIONEE'S RELATIONSHIP AS AN EMPLOYEE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

     By your signature and the signature of the Company's representative
below, you and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and
governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Employment Agreement
and this Option Agreement.  Optionee has reviewed the Plan, the Employment
Agreement and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity
to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and
fully understands all provisions of the Plan, the Employment Agreement and
this Option Agreement. Optionee hereby agrees to accept as binding,
conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator
upon any questions relating to the Plan and Option Agreement.  Optionee
further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in the residence address
indicated below.


                                    -4-
<PAGE>

OPTIONEE:                            INFORMIX CORPORATION



_______________________________      ______________________________________
                                     By

                                     ______________________________________
                                     Title







                                     -5-
<PAGE>

                                   EXHIBIT A

                     1997 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                 EXERCISE NOTICE


Informix Corporation
4100 Bohannon Drive
Menlo Park, CA  94025

Attention: Stock Option Plan Administrator

     1.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.  Effective as of today, ________________,
_____, the undersigned ("Purchaser") hereby elects to purchase ______________
shares (the "Shares") of the Common Stock of Informix Corporation (the
"Company") under and pursuant to the 1997 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement dated July 22, 1997 (the "Option
Agreement").  The purchase price for the Shares shall be $______________, as
required by the Option Agreement.

     2.   DELIVERY OF PAYMENT.  Purchaser herewith delivers to the Company
the full purchase price for the Shares.

     3.   REPRESENTATIONS OF PURCHASER.  Purchaser acknowledges that
Purchaser has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement
and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

     4.   RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER.  Until the issuance (as evidenced by the
appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized
transfer agent of the Company) of the Shares, no right to vote or receive
dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to
the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Shares
so acquired shall be issued to the Optionee as soon as practicable after
exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other
right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance, except as
provided in Section 12 of the Plan.

     5.   TAX CONSULTATION.  Purchaser understands that Purchaser may suffer
adverse tax consequences as a result of Purchaser's purchase or disposition
of the Shares.  Purchaser represents that Purchaser has consulted with any
tax consultants Purchaser deems advisable in connection with the purchase or
disposition of the Shares and that Purchaser is not relying on the Company
for any tax advice.

     6.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW.  The Plan, the Employment
Agreement and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.  This
Agreement, the Plan, the Employment Agreement and the Option Agreement
constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject
matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and
agreements of the Company and

<PAGE>

Purchaser with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified
adversely to the Purchaser's interest except by means of a writing signed by
the Company and Purchaser.  This agreement is governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of California.

Submitted by:                           Accepted by:

PURCHASER:                              INFORMIX CORPORATION


__________________________________      _____________________________________
                                        By

                                        _____________________________________
                                        Title


                                        _____________________________________
                                        Date Received


                                        ADDRESS:

                                        4100 Bohannon Drive
                                        Menlo Park, CA  94025


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