Base: Questions From Potential New User

users
#1

Running LO-4.3.5 on Slackware-14.1. I am developing a database application
to be used by unsophisticated users, all running some flavor of Windows.
I've not before used Base so if I can it will make distribution easier than
writing it in Python/wxPython and SQLite. I've read the Base handbook and
have two questions for which I've not found answers.

   The schema has 18 tables (including many-to-many intermediate tables) and
numerous foreign key references; more may be added. Will Base handle this
many tables?

   The DDL text file (using sqlite syntax) is approximately 200 lines. Can
this be imported into Base so I do not need to re-key each line to create
the tables and relationships?

TIA,

Rich

#2

Hi,

From Base you can connect to your DB.. So no need to recreate anything. Base can be used to access the data in e.g. MySQL

Liebe Grüße / Yours,
Florian Reisinger

#3

Florian,

   Yes, I read that. However, I do not see support for SQLite which is most
appropriate for this application as it's a single-user, embedded rdbms. If I
wanted a multi-user client-server rdbms I'd use postgres.

Rich

#4

Rich ,

Florian is pointing in to the good direction, just connect LO base tot SQLite, google for "Openoffice and SLQLite" for some starting points
Greetz
Fernand

#5

Fernand,

   Thank you, I'll do that. I did not see sqlite mentioned as supported in
the handbook. Of course, the handbook is probably out of date.

Regards,

Rich

#6

Hi Rich,

  The schema has 18 tables (including many-to-many intermediate tables) and
numerous foreign key references; more may be added. Will Base handle this
many tables?

You don't say whether your users will be just reading, or reading from
and writing to the database.

I imagine that reading should be alright, you might have issues with
multiple cascading table updates, that would depend on the SQLite driver
no doubt. Also be aware that SQLite timestamps and datetime data are
incorrectly handled by Base as far as I recall.

  The DDL text file (using sqlite syntax) is approximately 200 lines. Can
this be imported into Base so I do not need to re-key each line to create
the tables and relationships?

The easiest way to do this might be to set up an empty ODB that connects
to your SQlite file via a driver, then after loading the ODF file use
Tools > SQL and copy in your DDL statement into the SQL window.

Alex

#7

You don't say whether your users will be just reading, or reading from
and writing to the database.

Alex,

   Reading and writing.

Also be aware that SQLite timestamps and datetime data are incorrectly
handled by Base as far as I recall.

   That's interesting. Will have to look for problems.

The easiest way to do this might be to set up an empty ODB that connects
to your SQlite file via a driver, then after loading the ODF file use
Tools > SQL and copy in your DDL statement into the SQL window.

   That copying is what I was hoping to avoid. I'll create the sqlite db,
then see if I can connect to it via a sqlite-odbc driver. Should be one that
will work.

Thanks,

Rich

#8

The copying/execution step should only really be a last resort, if the
combination of driver/Base doesn't pick all of the constraints you have set.

Alex