How to learn Base & an external database program

users
#1

From 1987-2002 I used and developed applications in PC-File (a flat-file, dbf-based, shareware database) to help with my bookkeeping work and various other tasks in the company I worked for. Then from 2002 I moved to Access 97 and developed dozens of (mostly relational) applications for the same job from 2002-2007. Then I moved to a different state, and have not worked professionally with databases since. However, I do still have 3 personal database applications that I use in what is now Access 2003.

What I want to do is to migrate those applications to LibreOffice Base, or to another open-source database front-end. From what I've read on this list, I gather that will basically mean re-creating them, almost from scratch. I also gather that I will want to use an external database program (HSQLDB? Firebird? SQLite? ..). But I have no knowledge of those programs. Is there a good tutorial somewhere for any of them? Preferably one that goes thru the process of using Base as a front end for them?

Thanks,
-- Tim Deaton
email: tim@timdeaton.org
web: www.timdeaton.org

#2

You could review this:
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Documentation/Publications#LibreOffice_Base_Handbook

If you think an external database is appropriate each will likely have it's
own documentation like this:
http://www.postgresqltutorial.com/

Access is unique. On the plus side the front end offers a great deal of
functionality all within a single file DB. On the minus side the back end
Jet database total size is limited to something like 4GB but you can attach
/ link to other Jet DBs, for some operations the performance can be
absolutely horrible, and file corruptions can be a risk. So Access is
strong on the front side and weak on the back end. Open source options
tend to strong on the back end with DB options like HSQL, MySQL and
PostgeSQL (I don't think SQLite can be used with Base). Base as front end
has fewer features / less polish than Access which may or may not matter
depending on the scope of your needs. You will likely just have to explore
a bit.