Database Creator

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robert
  • Start date Start date
R

Robert

Can anyone suggest a good database creator software. I have about 800
entries with about 22 different fields per page and a report facility.

Many thanks in anticipation

Robert
 
Can anyone suggest a good database creator software. I have about 800
entries with about 22 different fields per page and a report facility.

Many thanks in anticipation
Click to expand...

DATA Base
MySQL
http://www.mysql.com/

Here is a easier designer package for the above...(if I remember correctly)
DBDesigner 4
http://www.fabforce.net/index.php





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If you truly want to contact me click the link
http://quantum.2ya.com/email.htm
 
Robert said:
Can anyone suggest a good database creator software. I have about 800
entries with about 22 different fields per page and a report facility.
Click to expand...

So is this effectively a single table you want to query and report from?
 
Alan said:
So is this effectively a single table you want to query and report from?
Click to expand...

If the data really is just 800 rows with 22 fields and the fields are
just text and numbers, then I would be much more concerned with the
interface than with the storage. Common issues: Is the text
formatted? What is the longest possible value in any field? Is it >
250 characters? > 2000 characters?

Is this a single user application? Multiple simultaneous readers?
Multiple readers and simultaneous single writer? Multiple
simultaneous writers?

How large will the db become? Will the structure change? Are some of
the values coded? Is there additional structure embedded in those 22
fields?

Perhaps all you need is a user interface that uses the Jet engine
included in (or available for) all Windows OS.

Try looking back through the Google archive under "database" for some
ideas.

Regards,
BillR
 
Thanks to you all for your replies. The reason I was looking for a database
creator. At work we have a contract that is run by just 3 people. They are
currently using an Excel spreadsheet to record all details about work that
is done for customers. This spreadsheet is quite wide with about 22
different columns. I believe it would be easier to use if it was in a
database format. Primarily the sheet is used to record customer info. ie
name address, postcode, date of order of inspection for new shower, date for
installer to call, materials ordered, date job comp, invoiced date that
sort of thing. Currently when a customer phones they have to move around
the spreadsheet to find the customer. Only one person can update at any one
time and no archiving of closed jobs is taking place off the ss. I think it
would be better to just search on various parameters ie cust name and have
the record/details of that cust come up on screen. Does this help?

Regards

Robert
 
Robert said:
Thanks to you all for your replies. The reason I was looking for a
database creator. At work we have a contract that is run by just 3
people. They are currently using an Excel spreadsheet to record all
details about work that is done for customers. This spreadsheet is
quite wide with about 22 different columns. I believe it would be
easier to use if it was in a database format. Primarily the sheet is
used to record customer info. ie name address, postcode, date of
order of inspection for new shower, date for installer to call,
materials ordered, date job comp, invoiced date that sort of thing.
Currently when a customer phones they have to move around the
spreadsheet to find the customer. Only one person can update at any
one time and no archiving of closed jobs is taking place off the ss.
I think it would be better to just search on various parameters ie
cust name and have the record/details of that cust come up on screen.
Does this help?
Click to expand...

This is a fairly common set of requirements for spreadsheet data.
Although a SS lacks many of the features of a database, as you've
discovered, it is possible to emulate some of these to various degrees.
Certainly the prospect of sharing an Excel SS is NOT recommended, even
though they say it's possible - it's quirky at best. But for the other
features you want, it's possible to achieve them using available
worksheet functions and VBA code, if you're wanting to go down that kind
of path. I could e-mail with more info and possibly an example if you
like (since this is now off topic for freeware) assuming your e-mail
address is a real one.
 
Thanks to you all for your replies. The reason I was looking for a
database creator. At work we have a contract that is run by just 3
people. They are currently using an Excel spreadsheet to record all
details about work that is done for customers. This spreadsheet is
quite wide with about 22 different columns. I believe it would be
easier to use if it was in a database format. Primarily the sheet is
used to record customer info. ie name address, postcode, date of
order of inspection for new shower, date for installer to call,
materials ordered, date job comp, invoiced date that sort of thing.
Currently when a customer phones they have to move around the
spreadsheet to find the customer. Only one person can update at any
one time and no archiving of closed jobs is taking place off the ss.
I think it would be better to just search on various parameters ie
cust name and have the record/details of that cust come up on screen.
Does this help?

Regards

Robert
Click to expand...
I didn't see the original post and replies. You may already know of/
tried these. I have 3 nice simple database apps. listed here,
http://netwonder.us/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=68

You can use a pivot table on the excel ss and quickly display whatever
fields "columns" you want. They are not as difficult to setup as they
seem. Using the wizard helps.

If you're wanting multiple access/editing capabilities, you can do some
serious database stuff with MySQL http://www.mysql.com/
 
Many thanks for your replies again. I would certainly like to learn the
rudiments of seeing if I can find a working solution to the database problem
via excel. Alan would you be kind enough to mail. Sorry for being off
message in the group. I do view on a daily basis and unfortunately like
many people download a lot of the freeware suggested programmes and really
enjoy playing around with them.
 
If you're wanting multiple access/editing capabilities, you can do some
serious database stuff with MySQL http://www.mysql.com/
Click to expand...

For what he is doing, MySQL would be overkill. Access or FoxPro would
be his speed (although of course OT here). Installing MySQL is
non-trivial as well, at least on Linux - Windows is probably much
easier.

I've seen people try to do tasks in spreadsheets which are better
suited to a database before. Generally, if you're really good with
the "database emulation" features of a spreadsheet, you might get by
with it, but usually it's easier to do a database. The one area where
it may not be easier is customizing a report from the database. A
good report writer like Crystal Reports can handle most needs, but it
is sometimes not trivial to get reports out the way the users want
'em. On a spreadsheet you can manually muscle the rows and formulas
around to get what you want visually, so to speak, which is sometimes
easier than defining a report with complicated control breaks and the
like. But usually data editing features and such on spreadsheets are
less capable than what a database can do.

In his case, the requirements seem to call for a database, but he
probably could get by with a spreadsheet with some moderately
sophisticated approaches (maybe multiple merged sheets or something to
allow for multiple users, that sort of thing.)
 
For what he is doing, MySQL would be overkill. Access or FoxPro would
be his speed (although of course OT here). Installing MySQL is
non-trivial as well, at least on Linux - Windows is probably much
easier.
Click to expand...

Would the freeware version of dBworx be appropriate for his needs?

http://www.plworx.net/

O.J.
 
Robert said:
Many thanks for your replies again. I would certainly like to learn
the rudiments of seeing if I can find a working solution to the
database problem via excel. Alan would you be kind enough to mail.
Click to expand...

Robert,

Suggest you clear out your mail box. Received the following bounce when
I mailed you:
-------------
This Message was undeliverable due to the following reason:

The user(s) account is temporarily over quota.

<[email protected]>

Please reply to (e-mail address removed)
if you feel this message to be in error.
 
For what he is doing, MySQL would be overkill. Access or FoxPro would
be his speed (although of course OT here). Installing MySQL is
non-trivial as well, at least on Linux - Windows is probably much
easier.
Click to expand...
I've seen people try to do tasks in spreadsheets which are better
suited to a database before. Generally, if you're really good with
Click to expand...

And at least a third of the answers to requests for database management
software, in here, are answered with "use a spreadsheet". Some answers
suggest using a text file.
the "database emulation" features of a spreadsheet, you might get by
with it, but usually it's easier to do a database. The one area where
it may not be easier is customizing a report from the database. A
good report writer like Crystal Reports can handle most needs, but it
is sometimes not trivial to get reports out the way the users want
'em. On a spreadsheet you can manually muscle the rows and formulas
around to get what you want visually, so to speak, which is sometimes
easier than defining a report with complicated control breaks and the
like. But usually data editing features and such on spreadsheets are
less capable than what a database can do.
Click to expand...
In his case, the requirements seem to call for a database, but he
probably could get by with a spreadsheet with some moderately
sophisticated approaches (maybe multiple merged sheets or something to
allow for multiple users, that sort of thing.)
Click to expand...

<not snipping simply to avoid you feeling the need to say, "but then I
went on to talk about cases where spreadsheets *can* be useful, and you
deleted that part">
 
Alan, sorry I have had similar problems contacting you. My address to retry
is (e-mail address removed)

Many thanks
 
And at least a third of the answers to requests for database management
software, in here, are answered with "use a spreadsheet". Some answers
suggest using a text file.

<not snipping simply to avoid you feeling the need to say, "but then I
went on to talk about cases where spreadsheets *can* be useful, and you
deleted that part">
Click to expand...

Nah, I wouldn't do that! Heh, heh.

I've always felt that spreadsheets were just a visual way to do a very
simple database and I've never been terribly impressed with them.
They're good at adding up a moderate amount of numbers without having
to do a lot of arcane programming, but when it comes to data
maintenance, the constant juggling of the visual interface gets in the
way more than it helps.
 
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