Suppose you want to distribute a read only database with a fancy front end
to query it. You don't want users to have to install it, but want them to
be able to use it direct from the CD. What would you suggest for a front
and back end?

I ask because the model I have MS Access back end VB front end, is a mite
difficult to install on many networks, it works nine times out of ten, but
there is lots of issues surrounding the DLLS which take a lot of support
time.

Richard Hyett wrote:

Richard,

PrimeBase SQL Database Server is available for a various platforms (in
case you want to support Mac OS X and MacOS too, besides windows for
example) and the PrimeBase SQL Database Server can be used in so called
"Runtime" mode too.

In that mode it is being loaded via/like a DLL/shared lib (like an
embedded db engine) and seamlessly works on the databases, also off of
read-only media, without requiring any explicit installation.

You can easily switch a Runtime server to regular client/server mode and
vice versa.

The following connectivity options are available:

ODBC
JDBC
PERL DBI
PHP module
REALbasic plug-in
EOF
WebObjects
Macromedia Director Xtra
Call Level Interfaces (CLIs) that make programming against the db client
directly a matter of several kilobytes of code.

(Development with PrimeBase SQL Database Server is free of charge,
development keys are available on simple request.

PrimeBase SQL Server has a built in web-based admin/db schema
browser/editor, so that basically for development you can use the db
engine on whatever platform you like (Windows, Solaris, AIX, Linux,
MacOS, Mac OS X) and later pull it all together for the target platform
package.)

Keep in mind to discuss runtime volume prices with the vendor, SNAP
Innovation, beforehand, should PrimeBase SQL Database Server meet your
technical requirements, there's always room for haggling.

Also don't be afraid to keep asking their support about everything that
is unclear to you. Better ask than be sorry due to making an
ill-informed decision.


With best regards

Clemens Anhuth


PS: Other choices may include DB engines implemented in Java, such as
HSQLDB, QED, Axion, SMYLE, Mckoi, which can be used embedded in a Java
application too. Together with "Java Happiness" ("Pre-installed Sun JRE"
/ "Self-contained Java Program Happiness (not only) for Windows in 7
Steps" - http://javafaq.kicks-ass.org/faq/lookup?108) that allows
creating Java applications which can be run directly off of read-only
media too.

--

---------------------------------------------------
Clemens Anhuth com.primebase @ clemens.anhuth

SNAP Innovation Softwareentwicklungs GmbH
22767 Hamburg
Altonaer Poststrasse 9a

Phone: ++49 (0)40 389 044 - 0 Fax: - 44

http://www.snap.de/ http://www.primebase.com/
---------------------------------------------------

Small update on this, the undernet #java faq moved to...

http://javafaq.mine.nu/

....so the above article is available at...

http://javafaq.mine.nu/lookup?108



bye bye

--

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Clemens Anhuth com.primebase @ clemens.anhuth
SNAP Innovation Software GmbH
Altonaer Poststrasse 9a, Tel: ++49 (40) 389 044 - 0
22767 Hamburg, Germany FAX: ++49 (40) 389 044 - 44
http://www.primebase.com http://www.snap.de
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