Specialized, Open Source Databases? 34
PyTHON71 asks: "I've been asked the head of the Wichita State University Anthropology department to help fix his growing biological anthropology collection database. It's currently in Access (insert boo's and hisses), but he is willing to have it developed in a reliable open source format. Now, there are a lot of university departments out there that need to have specialized work done on a small budget. They can't rely on just any developer, because the developer has to know biological anthropology (in this case) as well as MySQL, etc. And since it's not in the Hacker Code to duplicate work that's already been done, I was wondering what specialized database projects are out there & available for general use (not the data, just the structure)."
Why? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Why? (Score:1)
Also the relationships between the data will be more obvious to a developer already familiar with the background... And usually never happen to show up during training... Nobody ever thinks about them until problem X occurs, this client already seems to know that, and wants a solution where developer A writes something, and BANG they don't have to see him again... instead of the ongoing relationship a solu
Re:Why? (Score:3, Informative)
What about Access? (Score:4, Insightful)
* Let me create front-end forms populated and controlled by code and query
* Support relational tables, indexes, complex JOIN queries, aggregate functions, etc.
* Design complex reports with page/section formatting and behind-the-scenes code controls
* Can access ODBC data sources
If you can show me the way, I'll take the first step! I'd love to cut some of the distribution costs here!
GTRacer
- Needs help with gcc + PS2...
Re:What about Access? (Score:3, Interesting)
Unfortunately the question was pertaining to open source, probably because the owner of the data, doesn't want to drop a chunk of change on a major database. Yes Access comes with Win
Re:What about Access? (Score:3, Interesting)
I recommend you use the "upsize" wizard (which will automatically relink to your existing forms) and goto MS SQL 2000.
This does a few things for you. #1. Huge number of people familar with Access. (Better chance of finding a "biological anthropology" major with experience [I should note, I find this requirement a bit silly, have a guy from the CS department set it up, and you use it]
Re:What about Access? (Score:2)
I agree wholeheartedly, but I don't have any money to spend and I'm trying to make the most of what I have. I may be able to convince I/S to give me SQL Server space, and if so, then I'm all set.
But they may tell me to take a flying leap, and then I'll be forced to roll my own solution. My boss supports some small expenditure for this effort, but I'd rather spend the money on a true pro
Re:What about Access? (Score:1)
Currently our Access 2000 database weighs in at 740 MB's with 4-5 users. And it's running fine. However, I'm planning to migrate to Postgres very soon.
Proper choice of Primary/Foreign Keys, Indexing, and NORMALIZATION of the tables is *critical* to size and performance.
3rd Normal form will do wonders for size and data integrity. Indexing/keys will do wonders for speed.
If the developer is not properly versed with
Re:What about Access? (Score:2)
Re:What about Access? (Score:1)
Perhaps this is (-1, Offtopic), but why suggest SQL Server with an Access front end, when you can suggest an Open Source/Free server, such as PostgreSQL, or MySQL, and an Access front end?
I've never tried it myself, but I've heard that PostgreSQL [postgresql.org] can be an ODBC datasource on Windows machines.
If you've already got Access, and you already have a viable data structure and forms/reports that work with it, you should be able to move the data to Postgres, change the tables in Access to ODBC links, and pretend l
Re:What about Access? (Score:2, Interesting)
- inexpensive
- probably the easiest DB to administer
- fully SQL compliant, supports ESQL/C, ODBC, OLEDB, JDBC
- available in linux, windows, mac, aix, etc. versions
- available for free download (as an evaluation copy) off the sybase website
- advanced query optimizer (blows most open source engines out of the water
- fully ANSI transaction-oriented; stable in the eve
Re:What about Access? (Score:1)
Not a plug by any means, but Access is nasty. My experience with it is when they need to port apps to a more robust, less buggy environment.
Sure (Score:1)
End of thread
database? (Score:3, Informative)
Do you really have to have this answered? (Score:3, Insightful)
A database is a database. There is no "specialized" database for any purpose, with the possible exception of design for platform (IE, DB/2 for AS400) - you build the structures in the DB program and go. It's what makes apps and engines like MySQL really cool.
If you want a DB that is geared for bio-anthropology, fire up MySQL or PostGreSQL or insert your favorite engine here, build the structure for the DB you need to run, put a pretty face on it for the users, and kick back as it does the rest.
Frontend? (Score:1)
Maybe I'm missing something (Score:2, Insightful)
you already have everything up and running on an access database
you want to use a different database platform
doesn't sound like you need to worry about designing anything, its already there.... especially if you want to go from access to MySQL (or any other of the same family), just build the database structure to match the old one, export to
SQLITE (Score:2, Insightful)
Oh, and it i
Re:SQLITE (Score:3, Funny)
Here is the licensing terms from source:
** 2001 September 15
**
** The author disclaims copyright to this source code. In place of
** a legal notice, here is a blessing:
**
** May you do good and not evil.
** May you find forgiveness for yourself and forgive others.
** May you share freely, never taking more than you give.
**
Dude I so dig that!
Wrong forum (Score:2)
That being said, one thing that you might want to do is search Google for XML schemas. I do a lot of (relational) database design and I've noticed that there are XML schemas for just about everything. (Although I gen
You'd think that... (Score:2)
You'd think that...but amid all the noise and chatter of people pimping their own pet databases, they got your actually useful comment.
future support (Score:2)
You will also have to ask who will continue to support the app/db combination in the future. With any dedicated database server, who will keep it patched and secure, and backed up in the future? I see the following options:
1. Stay with Access:
Security is based on file sharing, and up to the Network Administrators. However, the problems with Access, you are probably well aware of; a biggie is that the db can lock and require reboot of the server (which can really piss off your Network Administrator if the
Re:future support (Score:2)
You will have to figure out who maintains the server setup. Access does not like to migrate to non MS databases, and you may have to totally redo the db structure and Access front-end.
Actually, it's very easy to migrate Access to MySQL. Install the MySQL ODBC driver, then import the database and data into MySQL. You can then use Access as the frontend to the MySQL ODBC data source.
Re:future support (Score:2)
There are a few caveats depending on how a particular Access db is set up. He may have to re-structure some tables and re-write portions of the Access front-end to accomplish this. You're right that some people may not experience any problems. See this [mysql.com] for a bit more information.
Re:future support (Score:1)
Again, you will need to figure out server maintenance, as well as finding an open-source front end. I'd be positively giddy to find/learn about an Access/Oracle Forms-like open-source tool.
I know that PostgreSQL has a semi-decent front end program called pgaccess (I know that it's in Linux, but I'm not sure about Windows), which you can use to create forms/reports for. And the best thing about it is that all of the form data is stored in the dat
Matt Dillon's Backplane database (Score:2)
Matt Dillon [backplane.com] (of FreeBSD fame, not the actor
Berkeley DB... (Score:1)
Support down the road (Score:1)