[lug] Industrial Strength DB (was: StarOffice)

[metcalf at attglobal.net]

I'll try to answer your questions from my perspective.  I'm not a
programmer, just a user.  For years I did a lot of data entry at work using
unspecified programs on unspecified computers (i.e., IS wouldn't tell me
what was involved).  Call that "heavy-industrial strength".  At home I've
used various DOS programs but I'd like to find a "cottage-industry strength"
database program running on Linux, preferably one that will import dbf.
    I'm concerned with separately indexing ten different fields and I don't
want a program to find duplicate data between records, and cross-link the
records.  I've also run into database programs, such as PCFile, which claim
to handle huge databases and after about 8,000 records start counting down
how much you can enter (nowhere near enough to finish).
    The 100K that I mentioned wasn't a program limit, but a guess as to the
approximate number of records I'll end up with in the next couple of years.
    As for "notefields" I was referring to storing pertinent data that
didn't fit into the predefined fields but which would be called up when
referencing a particular record.
    As for changing a field when it thinks something should be there I've
seen this happen.  For an example I just made up try this:
            1 Jan 2000
            2 Feb 2000
            3 Apr 2000
            4 Mar 2000  and then the program assumes a data input error and
changes 3 to Mar and 4 to Apr.
    The above example is a case of non-linear data which some programs would
change in order to maintain linear order.
    We've also had some further input on databases.
    Can someone point me to a source of comparative reviews of Linux
databases, giving the strengths, weaknesses and limitations of the various
databases?  I'm even willing to pay money for a commercial database if
there's no free database that won't lead me into a trap.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Precision Solutions, Inc." <kevin at precisonline.com>
To: <lug at lug.boulder.co.us>
Sent: Tuesday, June 27, 2000 10:50 AM
Subject: Re: [lug] Industrial Strength DB (was: StarOffice)


> Okay, you have me intrigued.
>
> >In my case an "industrial strength" database has to be able to index
> ten
> >fields,
>
> Are we talking ten independent indices, or the ability to create one
> index based on the product of ten fields?
>
> >...handle at least 100,000 records (I'm not there yet but it may
> well
> >exceed that before I'm done) {even if I have to buy a huge hard
> drive}
>
> One of the issues we're facing is the 2GB max file size on
> Linux/Unix.  Under this cap, however, there's no reason why any
> number of records couldn't be stored.  Which products impose the 100K
> limit you mention?
>
> >... plus
> >link notefields while maintaining data integrity
>
> By "notefields" I'm assuming you're meaning either large external
> textual fields or something like a BLOB, correct?  We don't have a
> need for these kinds of fields; we can store it all in the record
> stream, regardless of content or structure.
>
> >...and no changing a field
> >because it thinks something else should be there.
>
> Here's where I'm intrigued.  Could you explain this with a bit more
> detail?
>
> >If the original data is
> >non-linear I don't want the program to change data on the assumption
> that
> >the original data IS linear.
>
> You lost me there.  What do you mean?
>
> >It would also be nice if it can index and
> >search fairly rapidly (no sitting around waiting for a datum to
> appear on
> >the screen).
>
> Absolutely.  I appreciate the feedback, and hope to hear more details
> on the above issues.
>
> --Kevin
> kevin at precisonline.com
> http://www.precisonline.com
> http://www.precisonline.com/gold.htm
>
>
>
>
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