Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.57

                              INFORMIX CORPORATION

                      1998 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN

                  (EFFECTIVE AS OF JULY 17, 1998 AND AMENDED ON
        MAY 5, 1999, AUGUST 5, 1999, OCTOBER 21, 1999 AND APRIL 28, 2000)

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

       (a)    to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions
of substantial responsibility,

       (b)    to provide additional incentive to Employees and Consultants, and

       (c)    to promote the success of the Company's business.

       Options granted under the Plan will be Nonstatutory Stock Options (as
amended May 5, 1999).

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 employed by the Company or any Parent
or Subsidiary of the Company, including Officers. 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. (as amended May 5, 1999).

       (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 any Employee who is (i) an officer of the Company
pursuant to the specifications set forth in the By-Laws of the Company, (ii)
holds a position of vice-president or above, or (iii) is otherwise treated as an
officer by 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.

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

       (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 1998 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 fifteen million five hundred thousand (15,500,000) Shares.
This includes (i) 2,500,000 Shares added to the Plan on August 5, 1999, (ii)
2,500,000 added to the Plan on October 21, 1999, and (iii) 5,000,000 added to
the Plan on April 28, 2000. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or
reacquired Common Stock. (as amended August 5, 1999, October 21, 1999 and April
28, 2000).

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 (other than Officers and Directors)
                     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;

<PAGE>

              (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 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 only to Employees and
Consultants. (as amended May 5, 1999).

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

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any way with the Optionee's right or the Company's right to terminate such
relationship at any time, with or without cause.

7.     TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon July 17, 1998. 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)   such other consideration and method of payment for the
                     issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable
                     Laws; or

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

10.    EXERCISE OF OPTION.

       (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.

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              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 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

<PAGE>

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.    CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION AND OWNERSHIP.

       (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)    CHANGES IN CONTROL. All obligations of the Company under the Plan,
with respect to Option granted thereunder, shall be binding on any successor to
the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct
on indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

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.

<PAGE>

       (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.

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

                      1998 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:

       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:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

       <S>                                <C>
       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:
</TABLE>

       VESTING SCHEDULE:

       Subject to the Optionee continuing to be an Employee on such dates, this
Option shall vest and become exercisable in accordance with the following
schedule:

       25% of the Shares subject to the Option shall vest on the one year
anniversary of the date of grant and with the remainder of the Shares vesting in
equal monthly installments over the following thirty-six (36) months.

<PAGE>

        TERMINATION PERIOD:

       This Option may be exercised for three months after Optionee ceases to be
an Employee, including ceasing to be an Employee due to Disability. Upon the
death of the Optionee, this Option may be exercised for one year. In no event
shall this Option be exercised later than the Term/Expiration Date as provided
above.

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.

              (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 provisions of the Plan. The Exercise Notice shall be
completed by the Optionee and delivered to a member of the Stock Option
Administration Department 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;

<PAGE>

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

       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 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 is incorporated herein
by reference. The Plan 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 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

<PAGE>

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 and this Option Agreement. Optionee has
reviewed the Plan 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 and 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.

OPTIONEE                                    INFORMIX CORPORATION

__________________________________          ____________________________________
Signature                                   By

__________________________________          ____________________________________
Print Name                                  Title

__________________________________
Residence Address

__________________________________

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                      1998 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 1998 Non-Statutory
Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") and the Stock Option Agreement dated _______,
_______ (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 SHAREHOLDER. 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 shareholder 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.

<PAGE>

       6.     ENTIRE AGREEMENT; GOVERNING LAW. The Plan and Option Agreement are
incorporated herein by reference. This Agreement, the Plan 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 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

__________________________________          ____________________________________
Signature                                   By

__________________________________          ____________________________________
Print Name                                  Title

_________________________________
                                            Date Received

ADDRESS:                                    ADDRESS:
                                            4100 Bohannon Drive
                                            Menlo Park, CA  94025<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.79

                              SEPARATION AGREEMENT

         This Separation Agreement ("Agreement") is made by and between Wayne E.
Page ("Employee") and Informix Corporation, its affiliates and subsidiaries (the
"Company") as of the Effective Date set forth in Paragraph 16 below.

         1. In consideration of the mutual promises made herein, the Company and
Employee (collectively referred to, where appropriate, as "the Parties") hereby
agree as follows:

             (a). RESIGNATION. Employee will resign from the position of Vice
President, Human Resources, effective December 31, 2000 ("Resignation Date").
The resignation shall be in writing and addressed to Mr. Peter Gyenes, the
Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. In the absence of the Company's
receipt of such resignation, Employee will be deemed to have resigned his
position effective December 31, 2000.

         2. CONSIDERATION. The Company has agreed, subject to the Employee's
execution of this Ageement, to provide Employee with certain payments and
benefits as described below:

             (a). PAYROLL CONTINUATION. Until December 31, 2000 ("Termination
Date"), Employee shall remain on the Company's payroll, shall assume and
discharge such duties as requested by the Company's executive management, and
shall receive salary at his current annual base salary of Three Hundred
Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($325,000.00) payable in equal semi-monthly
installments in accordance with the Company's usual payroll practices
("Payroll Continuation Period"). Except as otherwise specified in this
Agreement, Employee shall not be eligible to receive any bonuses, or any
other incentive compensation payments effective as of the Termination Date.
Employee will be eligible to continue to participate in the Company's
benefits through the Termination Date. Employee shall receive a payment
representing all accrued but unused vacation with Employee's final paycheck
on the Termination Date.

             (b). SEVERANCE. On January 2, 2001, Employee shall receive a
lump-sum severance payment in the amount of Four Hundred Ninety-seven
Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($497,500.00), which is equal to the sum of:
(i) Employee's base salary of Three Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars
($325,000.00) for one (1) year; plus (ii) a retention payment in the amount
of One Hundred Seventy-two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars ($172,500.00) as
set forth in a letter from the Company to the Employee dated July 31, 2000.
Employee also shall receive an EICP payment ("Bonus Payment") for Fiscal Year
2000, in an amount and on a date to be determined by the Company but
representing the same percentage determined for other senior executives,
twenty-five per cent (25%) of which is guaranteed. The Severance Payment and
the Bonus Payment will be paid less applicable withholdings for federal and
state taxes and other payroll deductions, and less any other payroll
deductions that Employee may authorize in writing. Employee shall receive
payments of the net Severance Payment and Bonus Payment conditioned upon his
having signed this Agreement.

             (c). STOCK OPTIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
applicable Informix Corporation Stock Option and Award Plans, and
notwithstanding Employee's termination of employment as provided herein, all of
Employee's unvested options shall continue to vest and become exercisable in
accordance with their original vesting schedules, and all vested options, and
all unvested options which become exercisable by virtue of this Agreement, shall
continue to be
<PAGE>

exercisable up to March 31, 2002, at which time all unvested and vested but
unexercised options shall expire. By virtue of this Agreement, the provisions
entitled: Section 3. CHANGE OF CONTROL and Section 4. GOLDEN PARACHUTE EXCISE
TAXES which provisions are contained in the Informix Corporation Change of
Control and Severance Agreement ("COC Agreement") previously entered into
between Employee and the Company shall continue in full force and effect up
to March 31, 2002. Except for Sections 3 and 4 referred to above, the COC
Agreement is terminated as of the Effective Date of this Agreement.

             (d). COBRA. Following temination of employment, Employee will
receive, by separate cover, information regarding Employee's rights to health
insurance continuation (COBRA rights). To the extent that Employee has COBRA
rights, nothing in this Agreement will impair those rights. Should Employee
elect health insurance continuation through COBRA, the Company agrees to pay
the Employee's and the Company's portions of COBRA insurance continuation for
Employee and his covered dependents through December 31, 2001. Thereafter,
Employee shall pay for all costs of any COBRA continuation.

             (e). WAIVER OF REPAYMENT OF SIGN-ON BONUS AND RELOCATION
PAYMENT. The Company hereby waives any rights that it may have arising out of
or in connection with the Employee's receipt, upon commencement of his
employment, of his sign-on bonus and relocation payment.

         3. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Employee shall continue to maintain the
confidentiality of all confidential and proprietary information of the
Company and shall continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the
Employee Inventions and Confidentiality Agreement between Employee and the
Company, including continuing obligations of non-solicitation. Employee shall
return all the Company's property, and confidential and proprietary documents,
diskettes, manuals, and other information in his possession to the Company on
or before the Termination Date, including but not limited to: marketing and
product data; financial reports and forecasts; customer, partner and
competitive data and information; customer and/or partner lists, reports and
other proprietary and confidential Company property.

         4. RELEASE OF CLAIMS. Employee agrees that the foregoing
consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations
owed to Employee by the Company. Employee, on behalf of himself, and his
heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever
releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents,
directors, employees, investors, stockholders, administrators, affiliates,
divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and
assigns, from, and agrees not to sue or otherwise institute or cause to be
instituted any legal action or administrative proceeding against the Company
concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any
matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected, that Employee may possess arising from any omissions, acts or
facts that have occurred up until and including the effective date of this
Agreement including, without limitation:

             (a) any and all claims under federal and state laws and statutes,
in contract and in tort, relating to or arising from Employee's employment
relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

             (b) any and all claims arising out of or in connection with
Employee's right to purchase, or actual purchase, of shares of stock of the
Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation,
breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law,
and securities fraud under any state or federal law;

             (c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment;
termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract,
both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing,
both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional
infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation;
negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic
advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence;
personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and
conversion;

             (d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or
municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, The Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair
Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Family Medical and
Leave Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code
section 201 ET SEQ. and section 970 ET SEQ. and all amendments to and
regulations issued thereunder;

             (e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state,
constitution;

             (f) any and all claims arising out or in connection with of any
other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination;
and

             (g) any and all claims for attorneys'fees and costs.

Employee agrees that the release of claims set forth in this section shall be
and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the
matters released. This release does not extend to any obligations created by or
incurred under this Agreement, the Stock Option agreement evidencing Employee's
stock options and the agreement(s) evidencing the exercise of such options and
Employee's continuing obligations pursuant to Employee's Confidentiality and
Nonsolicitation Agreement with the Company. Released claims shall include any
and all claims to continued stock option vesting, exercise and acceleration of
stock option vesting under the terms of the COC Agreement, and any other
agreement, written or oral, including any applicable Stock Option agreement,
except as specified in Paragraph 2 (c) above.

         5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WAIVER OF CLAIMS UNDER ADEA. Employee
acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights Employee may have
under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA") and that this
waiver and release is knowing and voluntary. Employee and the Company agree
that this waiver and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may
arise under the ADEA after the effective date of this Agreement. Employee
acknowledges that the consideration given for this waiver and Agreement is in
addition to anything of value to which Employee was already entitled.
Employee further acknowledges that Employee has been notified by this
Agreement that: (a) Employee should consult with an attorney PRIOR to
executing this Agreement; (b) Employee has at least twenty-one (21) days
within which to consider this Agreement;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

(c) Employee has seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement by the
parties to revoke this Agreement; and (d) this Agreement shall not be effective
until the revocation period has expired. Any revocation must be in writing and
must be hand-delivered to Gary Lloyd, Vice President, Legal, and General
Counsel, by close of business on the seventh day from the date that Employee
signs this Agreement.

         6. CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542. Employee represents that Employee is not
aware of any claims against the Company other than the claims that are released
by this Agreement. Employee acknowledges that he has been advised by legal
counsel and is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code Section
1542, which provides as follows:

             A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES
             NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING
             THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED
             HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

         Employee acknowledges that he is aware of and understands the Civil
Code Section set forth above and agrees expressly to waive any rights he may
have thereunder, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of
similar effect.

         7. CONFIDENTIALITY. Employee agrees to use Employee's best efforts
to maintain in confidence the existence of this Agreement, the substance of
this Agreement, and the consideration for this Agreement (collectively, the
"Separation Information"). Employee agrees to take all reasonable precautions
to prevent disclosure of any Separation Information to third parties, and
agrees that there will not cause any public disclosure, directly or
indirectly, of any Separation Information. Employee agrees to disclose
Separation Information only to those attorneys, accountants, governmental
entities, and family members who have a reasonable need to know the
information.

         8. NO ADMISSION OF LIABILITY. Employee understands and acknowledges
that this Agreement constitutes a compromise and settlement of disputed
claims. No action taken by the Company, either previously or in connection
with this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be either: (a) an
admission of the truth or falsity of any claims heretofore made; or (b) an
acknowledgment or admission by the Company of any fault or liability
whatsoever to the Employee or to any third party.

         9. COSTS. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, expert fees,
attorneys' fees and other fees incurred in connection with this Agreement.

         10. ARBITRATION. The Parties agree that any and all disputes arising
out of the terms of this Agreement, their interpretation, and any of the matters
herein released, including any potential claims of harassment, discrimination or
wrongful termination, shall be subject to binding arbitration, to the extent
permitted by law, in its offices in San Francisco County, California, or at a
mutually agreeable location in San Mateo County, California, before the American
Arbitration Association under its National Rules for the Resolution of
Employment Disputes. EMPLOYEE AGREES AND HEREBY WAIVES HIS RIGHT TO JURY TRIAL
AS TO MATTERS ARISING OUT OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

MATTERS HEREIN RELEASED TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event that
Employee is in breach of any of his obligations under this Agreement, nothing in
this section is to be construed as a waiver of the Company's rights to seek
injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction and to seek
to recover all monies and/or benefits paid pursuant to this Agreement, as well
as its costs and attorneys' fees and expenses. The Parties agree that the
prevailing party in any arbitration shall be entitled to all reasonable costs
and attorneys' fees incurred in connection with the arbitration proceeding, and
that the prevailing party is entitled to seek injunctive relief in any court of
competent jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award.

         11. AUTHORITY. Employee represents and warrants that Employee has the
capacity to act on his own behalf and on behalf of all who might claim through
Employee to bind them to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

         12. NO REPRESENTATIONS. Employee represents that Employee has had the
opportunity to consult with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands
the scope and effect of the provisions of this Agreement. Neither party has
relied upon any representations or statements made by the other party hereto
which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.

         13. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is
declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or
void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect without said
provision.

         14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, the stock option agreements
between the parties, and the Employee Confidentiality and Nonsolicitation
Agreement represent the entire agreement and understanding between the Company
and Employee concerning Employee's separation from the Company, and supersede
and replace any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning
Employee's relationship with the Company and his compensation by the Company.
This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by Employee and the
Company's Vice President, Legal, and General Counsel.

         15. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the internal
substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of California.

         16. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement is effective eight (8) days after it
has been signed by both Parties.

         17. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and
each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall
constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the
undersigned.

         18. VOLUNTARY EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement is executed
voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf
of the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The
Parties acknowledge that: (a) they have read this Agreement; (b) they have
been represented in the preparation, negotiation, and execution of this
Agreement by legal counsel of their own choice or that they have voluntarily
declined to seek such counsel; and (c) they understand the provisions and
legal consequences of this Agreement.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the
respective dates set forth below.

                                           INFORMIX CORPORATION

Dated: December 11, 2000                   By /s/ GARY LLOYD
                                              ----------------------------------

                                           Gary Lloyd, Vice President, Legal,
                                           and General Counsel

                                           WAYNE E. PAGE

Dated: December 7, 2000                    /s/ WAYNE E. PAGE
                                           -------------------------------------

                                      -6-

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