[hitman_in_wi]

Hey guys, Im looking for a cheap database program.

I will be using it to make a very simple program that I may try to market to my employer. It must be a relational DB that allows storage of pictures.

Right now I have MS Works DB, which is absolutely useless. I dont want to spend much money on a DB tho, cuz like I said it is a rather simple program that I need it for.

[Chicon]

Hi hitman in wi,

I suggest you to use MySql database server : it's free and easy to install and to use. (www.mysql.com). It is well documented. You may store pictures and other multimedia files.
You may download a free administration tool of MySql at this page http://www.mysqlfront.de/

[hitman_in_wi]

I downloaded MySQL to give it a look. Could you tell me how I would store a picture in the database? Doesnt seem to say in the manual im looking at...

[Chicon]

There is an administrative tool called SQLyog (but it's not free). If I remember well, it's possible to store pictures (in Mysql, the type of data is BLOB).
Otherwise, it's possible with PHP, Java programs to store binary files in a MySql database.

[Anne Troy]

If you have MS Access or can get it, try the MyPictureBook free download here:
http://www.theofficeexperts.com/down...ccessDownloads

[hitman_in_wi]

So, lets say I finish this program using a MySQL database. How do I port the program to different machines without MySQL server?

[Chicon]

You don't need to port the program to different machines.
For example, with Java : on the machine where the MySql server is stored, you may also store a web server (Apache, for example) and you may write a classical web application in Html which calls Java applets to make different connections with the MySql database. Remote users have to connect the web application with their browser : Java applets will be automatically downloaded on their computer and will run
(each computer must have the Java runtime compatible with which installed on the web server).
There is a more subtle way in Java; there is no need to have the Java runtime on each remote computer : the use of JSP (Java servlet page) to generate Html pages and to connect the MySql server. When the user logs on the web application, a Java servlet will be triggered and will post a Html page to the user's browser and the user will be abled to upload a picture to the web server for the purpose of storing it in the database.

[hitman_in_wi]

But Im looking to write a program that I can hand out to people on a CD that all they have to do is click on it and it works (internet connection or not). I know I can do that with a MS Access DB. Maybe I cant do that with a MySQL DB?

[Anne Troy]

And with an Access DB, you need the developer's edition to create runtime versions.
That'll only cost you about a grand...

[Chicon]

I guess you mean to release a VB program for different users to connect the same remote database. In this case, it's possible. You'll find documentations there :
http://www.vbmysql.com/articles/visual-basic_mysql

[hitman_in_wi]

1000 bucks? For Access?

I dont need a remote Database for people to connect too. The data will not be altered very often, and the duration of use of the program for a single person is a month or so at most. Therefore, any changes needing to be made to the DB can be made to the master copy which is distributed to people as they need it.

Basically a text file can meet my needs if I care to dink around with it enough. I dont need anything complex by any means.

The setup I need is for a SINGLE user to connect to a simple local database.
i.e. everyone with the program would have a copy of the database (the database information need not be secure)


In fact, if I could find an ODBC Driver for Microsoft Works Database, that would be as much as I would need. Does such a driver exist?

[Rockn]

An ODBC driver will still not do you any good because you would need a centralized copy of Works database, and if you will be distributing it you will still need licensing. If it is a small amount of data that will never change why do you even need a database, write it to a delimited text file.

[Chicon]

MySql may be installed on each computer. It takes around 55 MB on the hard drive (including the documentations) and it's free. You can copy the folder in which your database will be stored on CD's. This folder may be copied as it is in the appropriate MySql data folder of each user.
But each user must have a tool to access their local database.
MySqlFront is a free tool but you can't display the pictures your stored in the database and you need a program to store pictures directly in the database.
SQLyog is not a free tool (49$ a licence) but you can display and store pictures directly in the database ( http://www.webyog.com/sqlyog/index.php ).
It's all I can say. I am a SQLyog user. It's a very nice and powerfull tool.

[hitman_in_wi]

Originally Posted by Rockn

If it is a small amount of data that will never change why do you even need a database, write it to a delimited text file.

Ya, I think youre right. Thats what I used to begin with, but then I wanted to have the ability to store pictures. However, i can just store the picture file names in the data file I guess.