[SLUG] The Linux Uprising

[Ian Eade at IGM Web Design]

Can you really compare Access with the likes of MySQL or Postgres? After all
MySql and Postgres are free, relational database servers, whereas Access
costs money, is flat file and is not a server. Granted Access does have a
nice front end, which reflects its intended usage - in an office, not an
online environment where its complete inability to cope with concurrent
users will kill it dead. Sequel Server was Microsoft's answer to a database
server, however in their native (and equally specced) environments it
[Sequel] is beaten hands down by MySQL, Postgres and the mother (allegedly)
of all databases, Oracle.

Whilst communicating with a database through a command line may seem
un-civilised it does support the maxim: the easier the front end, the poorer
the performance. If Microsoft made a race car it would be very luxurious and
fully specced, but it would go like a three legged donkey. Unlike an open
source database (and the likes of Oracle) who would produce a car which
wouldn't even be painted (much like a Mercedes SL Silver Arrow, no paint,
windows or anything else but it went like seven bells) but would go like a
scolded cat.

Given that SQL has a standard command set its just a case of usage and over
time you'll be amazed at how efficient the command line is and how well your
(open source) scripts run, or why not get a front end such as PHPMyAdmin and
then you get the best of both worlds.

As for exporting files, all database's can (to some degree or other) export
CSV files and subsequently import CSV files. And there are scripts which
cater for data migration, or maybe you fancy XML/RSS/RDF then you can really
let rip with your data.

What do you think?

Ian








-----Original Message-----
From: scarborough-admin at mailman.lug.org.uk
[mailto:scarborough-admin at mailman.lug.org.uk]On Behalf Of Jonathan
Worthington
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 02:54
To: scarborough at mailman.lug.org.uk
Subject: Re: [SLUG] The Linux Uprising


Hi,

> I have been doing a bit of work with access recently and also noticed
> that there seems to be a lack of applications like it. Access really is
> a good application and it is quite widely used in a lot of offices, it
> could be quite a stumbling block for those looking to migrate.
>
> Anyone know of anything similar for Linux?

I haven't heard of or seen anything that exists to attempt to fill this
hole, let alone succeed.  The thing is that there is no need for another
database engine; there are plenty of those hanging around (e.g MySQL,
PgSQL).  What (all?) that needs making is an easy to use and highly
functional front end to allow someone with zero SQL knowledge to create a
database and do useful stuff with it.  And possibly invent a file format
that allows a database to be passed around as a single file 'cus people
might miss that from Access too.  You could then beat Access by miles when
you advanced it to handling multi-user databases.  Just my thoughts.

Jonathan :-)

--

Jonathan Worthington
Founder, PCO & Director
Executive President, WDD
JWCS.NET Limited

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