Relational Database

[Ron]

Anything out there that compares to say "HandBase"?  I am almost there w/my 860 purchase but am in great need of a DB program for daily use.  TIA

[Tehas]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with HandBase.  But here is some info on three DBs that I use:

For a DB with a GUI front-end that allows you to make lists and stuff you can try PortaBase.

If you're looking for a light weight DB to use with new apps that you write, you can try SQLite.

For something a little beefier, you can also run MySQL.

There are a number of other DBMS packages but these are the three that I have installed and use on a regular basis.

--Tehas

[Fraggy]

And for something even beefier (but more solid) I'd advise PostgreSQL.

I've done some research on open source databases for a big mission critical project, and there's quite a few alternatives. How well they scale DOWN to the Zaurus, I don't know, but MySQL ran fine on my p233 laptop with 96Mb RAM under NT, so I suppose it should perform very well on a StrongArm 206 processor under Linux!

When we're talking about a 400Mhz Xscale processor, I guess you can run all of them  without problems!!!!

There are many databases, but the following appealed the most to us:

- MySQL (but a bit flaky when it comes to serious database applications (please don't flame me!))
- MaxDB, a joint venture of SAP with MySQL to make an "enterprise" version of MySQL
- Firebird (which performs very well and has almost zero administration needs) (previously Interbase from none other than Borland)
- PostgreSQL, which was designed as a solid DBMS from the ground up, and since it's an open source VETERAN, our choice fell on PostgreSQL (also it's popularity results in a very broad supporter's community, so you'll find a LOT of support and 3rd party appz).

Which one you choose depends on your needs...

If you want a database that supports transactions, triggers and stored procedures and the likes and complies to SQL standards and on top of that enjoys wide support, then go for PostgreSQL!!!!!!

MySQL is getting better each release, making up for its previous weaknesses and even the remaining weaknesses can generally be "worked around", so MySQL may very well perfectly suit your needs!!!!

MySQL and PostgreSQL come standard with many Linux distro's, so I'd say that they do belong on a Zaurus too  

JM.

[Fraggy]

About my previous post: those are databases for people who are actually "programmers". I checked Handbase and I realize that it is the "MS Access" clone for the Palm and Pocket PC, so MySQL is definatly not what you are looking for.

There are many database appz for the Zaurus (check http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/) but I fear none of them will equal the features and userfriendliness of HandBase (Well, my first impression of handbase is that it is a product that had the time to mature!!!!).

I suppose Ron still can use a Palm emulator on his C-860 to run HandBase if he doesn't want to part with it   !!!!

Hope this helps!

JM.

[jp40]

Hi

I have ported a copy of myslq to the c760 without much problem.

I did have a copy of Rekall from the company for the 5000d but it is out of date and does not
work very well on the c760 with a later version of Python.
However Rekall is a perfect front end for runningon the zaurusagainst a local xbas or mysql database. I may try to port the lates version to it if I can find the time.

Otherwise we can all contact the guys at http://www.totalrekall.co.uk/ and see if they want to
help port it?.

[Stubear]

Tkc has a version of totalrekal that runs on the Z - it's about $25 but.

Just a correction - MS Access is NOT a relational database, its a fancy gui that will stop you from learning SQL and snare you into the evil world of VBA.

Use MySQL or Sqlite and write your own front end in pyQt or php - you'll learn a lot more about relatinoal databases that way. Heck even using access as a backend for an asp page will teach you more about sql that using MS access.

Stu

[Fraggy]

Stubear, thanks for the correction. I don't even know what M$ Access actually is...

It's definately not a database, considering the definition of what a database should be (you know: ACID compliance, SQL compliance, well implemented security and stuff...), but well, it apparently serves it's purpose for quick and dirty (emphasys on dirty, hehe) database applications for the "suits" (sorry, I meant database-LIKE applications  )

But now we're getting a bit off-topic. Ron is looking for a tool that can replace his HandBase application.

DBDesigner 4 (http://www.fabforce.net/dbdesigner4/) is a very nice "Front End" to MySQL, in fact it is much more: it's a program that allows to VISUALLY design and implement MySQL databases! (An ER Modeling program, to be precise, equals the propriatary "ERWin")

It's open source and runs under win32 / Linux. Would be nice if someone ported it to the big Z. (And added support for PostgreSQL would be appreciated )

JM.

[Guest]

Tkc has a version of totalrekal that runs on the Z - it's about $25 but.

Just a correction - MS Access is NOT a relational database, its a fancy gui that will stop you from learning SQL and snare you into the evil world of VBA.

Use MySQL or Sqlite and write your own front end in pyQt or php - you'll learn a lot more about relatinoal databases that way. Heck even using access as a backend for an asp page will teach you more about sql that using MS access.

Stu

The version being sold by TheKompany.com is the same version mentioned in an earlier post. This version is based on the old V2.0.0 code. If there is enough interest may be Mike and John, the authors of Rekall, will produce a version based on the latest V2.3.0 code. Why not send an email to either Mike Richardson at mike@quaking.demon.co.uk or John Dean at john@totalrekall.co.uk.

I should point out that the authors no longer have anything to do with TheKompany, so if anybody does buy from them they would be buying unsupported software

[Stubear]

The version being sold by TheKompany.com is the same version mentioned in an earlier post. This version is based on the old V2.0.0 code. If there is enough interest may be Mike and John, the authors of Rekall, will produce a version based on the latest V2.3.0 code. Why not send an email to either Mike Richardson at mike@quaking.demon.co.uk or John Dean at john@totalrekall.co.uk.

I should point out that the authors no longer have anything to do with TheKompany, so if anybody does buy from them they would be buying unsupported software

I'm not sure here, but I think that tkcRekall and TotalRekall are actually 2 different apps, I'm not sure if the guys doing TotalRekall also wrote the port to tkcrekall.

They may not be allowed to distribute the source to tkcrekall as it wasn't GPLed, alough it may be a simple matter to report totalrekall - although the source file is 4.8Mb!

It would be great if they did cause totalrekall is a really great tool

Stu

[Guest]

The version being sold by TheKompany.com is the same version mentioned in an earlier post. This version is based on the old V2.0.0 code. If there is enough interest may be Mike and John, the authors of Rekall, will produce a version based on the latest V2.3.0 code. Why not send an email to either Mike Richardson at mike@quaking.demon.co.uk or John Dean at john@totalrekall.co.uk.

I should point out that the authors no longer have anything to do with TheKompany, so if anybody does buy from them they would be buying unsupported software

I'm not sure here, but I think that tkcRekall and TotalRekall are actually 2 different apps, I'm not sure if the guys doing TotalRekall also wrote the port to tkcrekall.

They may not be allowed to distribute the source to tkcrekall as it wasn't GPLed, alough it may be a simple matter to report totalrekall - although the source file is 4.8Mb!

It would be great if they did cause totalrekall is a really great tool

Stu

Yes we did write tkcRekall. But it is no longer in production. If you grab a copy of the Rekall source code from Rekall Reveal you will see, in many places the macro __KB_EMBEDDED. This macros marks the code which is used in tkcRekall.

The problem we have is lack of time and lack of money. If you guys could find some organization willing to sponsor us, then we will resurrect the project

BTW The name of the desktop version is Rekall not TotalRekall. In order to break the last thing which links us to TheKompany.com we will be renaming Rekall to Rascal