Checksum: 28260
Path: utzoo!utgpu!craig
From: craig@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (Craig Hubley)
Date: Sun, 3-Sep-89 16:17:05 EDT
Message-ID: <1989Sep3.161705.6154@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca>
Organization: University of Toronto Computing Services
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: SQL (or other relational) databases for the Amiga
References: <1989Sep2.175104.12276@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca> <4435@cps3xx.UUCP>
Reply-To: craig@gpu.utcs.UUCP (Craig Hubley)

I keep this public in the assumption that lots of people are interested
in this.  If not, please let me know.  From the looks of things, there
won't be many responses anyway...

In article <4435@cps3xx.UUCP> porkka@frith.UUCP (Joe Porkka) writes:
>> (I write)
>>Does anyone know of a(n) SQL implementation for the Amiga ?
>>Or in fact *any* relational database for the Amiga ?  I don't
>>expect to find AmigaOracle, or anything, but even an unoptimized
>
>Yes and no. No SQL, but SuperBase Professional is relational.
>
>It is the only database that I have ever used, so I cannot
>compare it to other databases.

The key to 'relational' is whether it is set-at-a-time and obeys the
relational algebra.  Many systems claim to be relational but in fact are
not, dBase for example.  The reason this is important is because I have a
very large body of complex data that I can't forsee all the indexing
combinations.  I intend to keep this in true relational-normal format
for eventual conversion and compatibility with SQL, so in dBase terms I
would be constantly joining several databases together, which takes weeks
in that bogus system.  It's not a matter of simple stepping-through records.
I actually need relational capabilities.  I mention this because the word
'relational' has been thrown about very freely by marketeers and it just 
isn't true most of the time.

>It does support linking multiple databases together by a common
>element. It has a complete language and built in editor (not so hot
>editor). The language is Microsloth BASIC style with database
>extensions. You need at least 1meg to think about running it.

This sounds much like dBase, sigh.  I was hoping at least to find
something with a C interface so I could use C++ for my weirder stuff.
I understand SuperBase has Arexx support, though...

>It also includes a forms editor to create custom graphic displays
>or printouts.
>You can include external documents, pictures and sounds. Fairly
>well amigatized.

How do you 'include' external documents ?  Filenames ?  hypertextish links?

>It has versions for GEM, and Atari, but not MessyDos (which is 
>probly why it is well amigatized).

That's encouraging.

>No copyprotection in the latest most expensive release.

That's also encouraging.

What's it cost ?

>REAL NAME: Joe Porkka   jap@frith.cl.msu.edu

    Craig Hubley			-------------------------------------
    Craig Hubley & Associates		"Lead, follow, or get out of the way"
    craig@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca		-------------------------------------
    craig@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu    mnetor!utgpu!craig@uunet.UU.NET
    {allegra,bnr-vpa,decvax,mnetor!utcsri}!utgpu!craig    craig@utorgpu.bitnet


-- 
    Craig Hubley			-------------------------------------
    Craig Hubley & Associates		"Lead, follow, or get out of the way"
    craig@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca		-------------------------------------
    craig@gpu.utcs.toronto.edu    mnetor!utgpu!craig@uunet.UU.NET
    {allegra,bnr-vpa,decvax,mnetor!utcsri}!utgpu!craig    craig@utorgpu.bitnet
