Base and Java

users
#1

I've created a smallish (200-odd members) membership database in Base. Just in case it's relevant, I populated it with data from a Calc spreadsheet which itself originated as a MS Excel spreadsheet created by my predecessor.

On trying to open the table, I got a no JRE error. I managed to cure that by uninstalling and reinstalling Java, and all went swimmingly until...

Restarted my machine over the weekend. On opening the database it opens in the 'Forms' option. When I attempt to go to the 'Tables' option, I get 'The connection to the data source "<name>" could not be established. No Java installation could be found. Please check your installation" Clicking on 'More' brings up 2 errors: "The connection to the data source "<name>" could not be established." and: "SQL Status: HY000

No Java installation could be found. Please check your installation." The same errors arise when I try to go in to a query and a form that I've created. I have no doubt I could repeat the Java uninstall-reinstall routine and make it work, but I really don't want to have to do that every time I restart my computer, so any help would be welcome.

Installation details:
LO 5.2.3.3
Build ID: d54a8868f08a7b39642414cf2c8ef2f228f780cf
CPU Threads: 4; OS Version: Windows 6.1; UI Render: default;
Locale: en-GB (en_GB); Calc: group

Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Service Pack 1 (unsure whether any further information would help or how to find it).

#2

Hi Keith,

Windows 7 Professional 64 bit Service Pack 1 (unsure whether any further
information would help or how to find it).

I am assuming you are using a 64bit JDK (and not a JRE) ?
If so, which version ?

Alex

#3

Thank you for this Alex. Not sure I'm computerate enough to know the difference between a JDK and a JRE. However, I do have 2 JREs installed, a 32-bit and a 64-bit.

Good news: it looks as if I may have cracked it, at least temporarily. Bad news: it might be a bug of some sort... potentially a bug in the user but worth feeding back what I've discovered.

I need to find time to restart my machine again to confirm what I'm about to say, when I do I'll post accordingly. Base was working fine last week (I normally 'sleep' my PC overnight), but did a restart ovver the weekend and that's where the trouble started.

In Tools - Options - Advanced the two JREs look identical. After posting my query, and just for the hell of it, I tried selecting the other one. That made no difference. So I shut down LO, re-opened it and tried again. Still no joy. So I went back in and selected the original again. Still no joy with Base, so for one last thing I shut down LO yet again. This time, Base worked when I re-opened it!

If that's what it takes, I can live with it, though I'd rather not have to. But if that gives someone a clue where to look for an issue, it would be most welcome.

Best wishes,
Keith

#4

Hi Keith,

Thank you for this Alex. Not sure I'm computerate enough to know the
difference between a JDK and a JRE. However, I do have 2 JREs
installed, a 32-bit and a 64-bit.

JREs have an automatic update mechanism which checks to see whether
you're at the latest release version, and offers to install it for you.

JDKs do not have this automatic update mechanism - it is up to the user
to go and look from time to time to see if an update is available.

JDKs are the complete Java Development Kit, as opposed to JREs which are
a Java Runtime Environment.

Basically, if you have automatic updates to Java, then you have JREs
installed.

These will no longer work correctly with current release versions
(5.2.x) of LibreOffice and Base (embedded hsqldb) files - you will need
to switch to a JDK for that. It is also better in principle to use a bit
version of the JDK that corresponds to the bit version of LibreOffice
you are using. If your are using a 64bit version of LibreOffice, then
download and install a 64bit version of the Java Development Kit
available from Oracle.

Alex

#5

Hi Alex,

Is this an issue exclusive to the Mac edition? I am using the current
version (5.2.3 x64) of Base on both 64bit Linux and Windows with JRE
only and have not encountered any problem. Based on the mail headers of
the previous posts in this thread, they appear to come from Windows users.

Dave

#6

Hi Dave,

The MacOS problem is one of the issues, but there have also been reports
of Base (5.2.x) not working correctly on Windows correctly with a JRE,
hence my recommendation to switch to a JDK. If it still works for you
with a 64bit JRE, then so much the better :wink:

Alex

#7

Je la 29/11/2016 16:21, Dave skribis :

Hi Alex, Is this an issue exclusive to the Mac edition? I am using the current version (5.2.3 x64) of Base on both 64bit Linux and Windows with JRE only and have not encountered any problem. Based on the mail headers of the previous posts in this thread, they appear to come from Windows users. Dave

As a confirmation Linux Ubuntu 16.10 lo 5.2.2.2 and the associated JRE 2.1.8_57 ubuntu1

#8

Thank you Alex... more involved than I thought. No time for the next couple of days, but Base is sitting open and seemingly working so I'll do what I need then go looking for trouble :slight_smile:

Now all I need to do is remember how to tell what bitness of LO I have!

Cheers,
K

#9

Hi Keith,

I have a similar problem however my Base just will not let me do anything until the JRE is installed.

I REALLY NEED Java to use Base as I am endeavouring to managed a 500 strong membership list over 9 zones with an index common to all. I have tried to install and Java sits in my "System Preferences" but linking LO to it is another mission as it doesn't seem you can re-initiate a search by LO for a JRE?

Uninstalling it can't be done by dragging icon to Trash and only thing I have found is on the net to do it via cli.

I could use Calc and import data sets from a main sheet into a smaller table but it is really time intensive so really using Base is a no brainer. I also refuse to pay money for MS Access to run on my Apple Mac Sierra 10.12.1 with LO 5.2.3.3.

Wonder when LO is going to follow Minecraft's example for items such as Base? <http://www.howtogeek.com/210907/minecraft-doesnt-need-java-installed-anymore-its-time-to-remove-it/>

Regards
Hylton

#10

When it no longer relies on a Java db engine as its default backend for
the ODB file.

Currently the shift to Firebird3 as the future embedded default for ODB
files is a work in progress.

Alex

#11

Although, actually, there is still the ReportBuilder to rewrite in C++
or find an alterative with a compatible licence that could be used instead.

Additionally, all of those legacy hsqldb-embedded ODB files will still
need to be supported, or a way found to allow them to be converted to
the new embedded db engine seamlessly/painlessly. This particular topic
is being debated on the dev list as I write.

Alex