[REQ] MS- Acces alike database

M

MightyKitten

Sofar, my little project of running compleetly on freeware (well, exept for
Windows 2000) is going well. Open office, Dia (great program) and
gantproject will do almost as much as Billyboy's software (for some things,
they are a bit behind, for other things, they blas Microsoft office away),
To be short I realy like this project sofar. BUT...

What I'm realy missing is a MS Access like datbase. I'm not only seeking for
a relational database (MySQL and/or Progress would do fine it that was all)
but I'm also looking for a databas that can make user interfaces (MS - Acces
forms) and reports. (Ok who is the smart guy/gall who yelled: "this can be
done with MySQL Or Progress!"? I'm not looking for a java or html based GUI,
but realy more Access like - call me lazy if youwill, we kittens are known
for it :) )

The closest thing I foun thisfar is VBDB.EX by Owen Reese, but there must be
more freeware like this. Right?

So to put it simple: is there a freeware MS-access clone?
Also any freeware like Crystel Reports would also be higly appriciated...


Thanks In Advance,


MightyKitten
 
S

Susan Bugher

MightyKitten said:
What I'm realy missing is a MS Access like datbase. I'm not only seeking for
a relational database (MySQL and/or Progress would do fine it that was all)
but I'm also looking for a databas that can make user interfaces (MS - Acces
forms) and reports. (Ok who is the smart guy/gall who yelled: "this can be
done with MySQL Or Progress!"? I'm not looking for a java or html based GUI,
but realy more Access like - call me lazy if youwill, we kittens are known
for it :) )

The closest thing I foun thisfar is VBDB.EX by Owen Reese, but there must be
more freeware like this. Right?

So to put it simple: is there a freeware MS-access clone?
Also any freeware like Crystel Reports would also be higly appriciated...

I believe Crystal Reports has been compared to Freeware in previous ACF
threads - you might want to search the archives.

This page has a list of DB and DB frontends - they're all listed in the
Database subcategory - feel free to sort them out for me while you're
there. :)

http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/programs/P_BUSINESS-HOME.php

Susan
 
N

Nemo l'ancien

Support also your request. I would be very happy to find such a freeware
Nemo l'Ancien
 
M

MightyKitten

Alright then, I've looked at all of them quickly a litte result:

Adabas D Personal edition.
Loads of text about delphie programming, but no freeware DB found to
download

Axcel ==> Nogen5.zip
Jans Freeware
Though Jan has a lot of nice database tools/programs on his site, I could
not download Axcel. It was linked his (old?) Lycos.nl site. There I found an
entry of Nogen5 whitch has
the same discription. But download link did not work

CSVdb
Sam Franke
Ah... Vey Nice tool indeed. If you want to design a one dimentional database
(e.g. 1 table) and don't care about input forma, this is *THE TOOL* I
defnetly install this one also. But it is not what I was looking for.

Commaworks
Jans Freeware
Not found, see Axcel

DBdesigner
Fabforce
A Database utility
A must for any designer of middle and larger databases. Better interface as
Microsoft Access relationship designer. Developed especialy for MySQL, but
can be used in lots of relational databases. I already downloaded this one
before. :)

DBEdit
Paul Lutus
Nice flat databse product. Not as extended as CBSdb, but you can have
multiple databases open at the same time. Accourding to the author, you can
write custom macro's to paste info into other applications.

Firebird SQL
A robust relational database application like MySQL, Porgress, Oracle or
SQLServer. It is the successor of the Borland Interdev database, with a lot
of bug fixes. No real interface thoug. Setup will take some time. I believe
I had it up and running, but no gui or something to confirm this.

HabFiles
Henry Bartlett
An other flat database (CVS) tool. It converts one Delimiter set to an other
one. Nothing CVSdb can't do. Besides: It has a progam installer, but you
cannot deinstall it. Futhermore it wants to be placed in a folder of your
root (C:\) not in the programfiles.
Not my Style

IBEasy
An designers interface for the firebird database
Though not tried, seems nice enough. Will try it in the near future with
Firebird.
Suzan, Youd better pu this one next to the firebird entry.

JMySQL
An interface for MySQL to use simple database queries. Doubt it will work on
a shared MySQL database with your local internet provider, if I read the
comments (But don't pin me here, I did not yet tried it) The given URL in
pricelessware is not up to date. I can't find the origional site but there
seems to be a version here:
http://mediate.mirrors.phpclasses.org/browse/package/1181.html

KyPlot
First: it is now released as shareware or commericalware (see
http://www.qualest.co.jp/Download/KyPlot/kyplot_e.htm), so treasure your
freeware copies!
a beta release can still be found at
http://www.woundedmoon.org/win32/kyplot.html The program is made injapan,
the tekst at the link is english, but I don;t know what is exactly in the
download.
What is it? I would place it in the category of Statisical analyzers or
report writers. It crunshes nummers and akes nice plots out of the data.

MySQL
Where would you ISP be without it? If you are in to webdeveloping, it is
certainly worth knowing about this one. Can be used as rational database,
but preferes not to (speed decrease. Not to bad if you only have a few
tables, but a real fortune 500 company CRM isn't advisable)

Office-QB
A SLQ query tool . Seems to be nice enough... Uses thwe Acces query builder
method for all MS-Access, SQL Server, Oracle, DB2, Sybase and all ODBC
compliant OLE DB provider databases. Another one I will inversigate further

Personal Knowledge base
Marsius
<quote> P K B is a compact DataBase application designed to easily allow
you to store comments, notes, and text documents in one place, group them by
categories, and perform later search by argument or keyword. You can also
add links (pointers) to any kind of files in your PC, and make PKB your
master catalog as well.
Simple and reliable, it may become your Personal Knowledge Base.
PKB does not install or expand in multiple files. You can run it straight
forward from any directory of your choice. And, IT'S FREE (yet). </Quote>.
To put it nicely: the only thing I liked about this one is the picture of
the ostrich on his webpage. I Nothing especialy wrong with it, but also
nothing new, very good or otherwise special.

PostgreSQL
A freeware serverbased Database with the strengt of SQL server or Oracle.
Mostly used by pinguins and Unixers, but also aviable for Billyboy
worshippers. Used in man companies for their custom made Company
Application.

Putven
Jans Freeware
Again, not downloadable. I might take back what I said. The programs, as
discribed still seems good enoug, but if you cannot download them, what is
the point?

SLQView
A Nice SQL (ODBC) database view/query utility, extporting found data to CSV
os XML files.
Probably faster as Office-QB, but not as extensive or easy to use. Wotht the
download thoug, if you need such a tool

SQLyog
A nice MySql Tool, for editing databases. Synchronysing between MySQL
databases and SQL queries are possible. Nice to use when you fool around
with MySQL. I am not sure you can use it on the MySQL database of your
hosting provider, but teaoretical, it should work.

SAP DB
When I hear SAP, I instanly think about very expensive men in Armani suites,
who flunk spyscool and became business consultants instead... I even did not
know the database itself was freeware. Guss those guys are even a greater
rip-off then I thought :) well I guess SPA DB language is a bit difficult
(If i find out other wise, I'll have a new profession). I might even
download, as a quick view on the site sugest it has its own form builder and
report tool... Though it probably has what I was looking for, I doubt it
*IS* what i'm looking for. (I hoped for little to no learing curve :) )
Will download it anyway. Gonna get rich!

TDB
A simple database application with build-in reportin tool. Nice to crunch
some numbers and display graphic results.

VBDB
An VisualBasic Database with forms and reports. A very crude form design and
report tool, but I must make my compliments on the way he has overcome some
problems. To be honest I'm more intersted in the VB project behind it as in
the application itself. The application uses its own format, no import or
export posibilities, but it *HAS* customable forms and therefore report
(same layout). Not too useul for most, I guess, but BV progammes and
Database lovers might have a look.

Visual Data:
The worst of all listed here.
First I had to join a Yahoo group to be able to download the program.
Normaly, this just means NO to me, but for the review (and more: my
curiosity) I just signed up. Yahou then needs to install a certificate,
whitch for once, I allowed. After I downloaded the package, the real fun
began; An old Visual basic 4 installer broke free and told me I could
choose: overwriting allfiles with the same name, or cancel installation. I
have not tested this application, Nor will I ever again care to do so.

WListDB
Origionali developed for PalmOS, and as far as I can see, Very nice...
.... For palmOS that is. I don;t care much about the windows variant, other
then preparing datases for a PalmOS handheld
If you have a handheld with PalmOS, It might well be worth the download,
else I don;t think ou should care

WinSQL
About the first ODBC SQL tool I ever encountered.
In layout not much changed, I saw, but a lot of bugfixes and new features
since 1999. Always liked it, but I think I'll like Office-QB maore.

DBWorx
First of all. The site is slow, but working. Strangely, the download was
FAST!!! maybe in the ISP cache?
Thoug no fancy Form editors, you can create your own reports. Takes some
time to learn, but if reports are your goal, you will have a nice comanion
with this fellow

MyDBF_3
Jans Freeware
Wait! This is for real. This program is downloadable.
And As i said. Once you got it, Jans Freeware can be superb!
Using the DBIII format, you can read, create and modify databases, Create
Reporta AND forms. Much like access (not as sophisticated) wut working fine.
I would even be quite confortable to build an office database with it, using
the form templates (and that is wat i realy wanted. Definetly a keeper! :)

Data Prospector
A SQL tool for MySQL and/or progress.
Not as sophisticated as SQLyog, but it does work with Progress. For the
connaisseur, i think

Nogen
Jans Freeware
See the first entry....

So, a very long quick analyse of the databases

Who whant to do all the MP3 players next? :)

MightyKitten
 
S

Sietse Fliege

MightyKitten wrote:

<snipped extensive review>

Great review, thanks!

However I beg to differ about HABFiles:
HabFiles
Henry Bartlett
An other flat database (CVS) tool. It converts one Delimiter set to
an other one. Nothing CVSdb can't do.

HABFiles can also convert delimited files to fixed width files.
I don't believe CSVdb can do that.
Handy e.g. when you prefer to see these data files in nice columns in
e.g. your Notepad (replacement) or when you have to mix the columnar
data with other text in text files.
Besides: It has a progam installer, but you cannot deinstall it.

On the website http://www.hotkey.net.au/~hambar/habit/habfilrm.htm
and in its readme.txt there are instructions how to uninstall it.
(Just delete the folder and eventual shortcuts.)
Furthermore it wants to be placed in a folder of your root (C:\) not in
the programfiles.

It indeed suggests C:\habfiles, but it lets you change that.
And again on the website and in the readme.txt you can read how you can
also manually install it. (Just unzip to any folder).
There are no registry entries involved, nor are files placed outside the
program's folder.

Thanks again. :)
 
M

MightyKitten

"Sietse Fliege" <[email protected]> schreef in
bericht
HABFiles can also convert delimited files to fixed width files.
I don't believe CSVdb can do that.

Gee, you're right... I thought I had seen this also in CVSdb, but it I
cannot find it again. I've only use this kind of data once or twice,
but I guess I used Excel instead. Peronslly, I never had too much use for
that option (Though anyone with an old accountant program will tink
diffrently)
On the website http://www.hotkey.net.au/~hambar/habit/habfilrm.htm
and in its readme.txt there are instructions how to uninstall it.
(Just delete the folder and eventual shortcuts.)

It indeed suggests C:\habfiles, but it lets you change that.
And again on the website and in the readme.txt you can read how you can
also manually install it. (Just unzip to any folder).
There are no registry entries involved, nor are files placed outside the
program's folder.

I didn't check for registry settings. Having none makes it more bearale, I
guess.
But still... In this age of very nice freeware installers, it should come
witha n uninstall
and a propper default folder, if you use the setup feature...

Well result of this mail and that of Sietse Fliege. 1 point added to
HabFiles score in my internal database database...
Cheers,
Sietse Fliege

Nice Nick, By The way. Made me laugh :)
 
M

MightyKitten

I also foudn thsi link
<http://windows-freeware-shareware.com/cat.html?ID=47&st=1&trec=106>
Both Shareware and freeware databases. HTer is a link to a nice Access to
MySQL converter, but released under a new kind of ware: Only free if you
have bought an other package from them, else shareware... Maybe
Free-if-i-already-ripped-you-off-ware FIARYOware.

I cannot give an overal verdict, I'm still browsing the site. Just put it
here before I forget.

MightyKitten
 
M

MightyKitten

Well, I just finnished googling for "database form design freeware"
applications and I cn conclude:

The larger databases (Sybase, MySQL, Progress, SAP DB) are ssugesting you
create your own GUI with any programm language (VB, ACCESS, .NET language,
htm/Javascript, or delphie). Yes, i found toold to design user forms, but
all of them were either commercial, shareware or whatever.

Except for Jans Freeware MyDBF 3, there isn't any easy database with custom
form and report solution (for windows). There are some (in alpha development
fase) for Linux/Unix

I found a couple of shareware databases whitch can create custom forms
 
M

MightyKitten

Well, I just finnished googling for "database form design freeware"
applications and I cn conclude:

The larger databases (Sybase, MySQL, Progress, SAP DB) are ssugesting you
create your own GUI with any programm language (VB, ACCESS, .NET language,
htm/Javascript, or delphie). Yes, i found toold to design user forms, but
all of them were either commercial, shareware or whatever.

Except for Jans Freeware MyDBF 3, there isn't any easy database with custom
form and report solution (for windows). There are some (in alpha development
fase) for Linux/Unix

I must admit there arre some freeware PHP scripts whitch can aid you in
designing MySQL html forms, but this isn't what I am looking for

I found a couple of shareware databases whitch can create custom forms and
reports,
but since I have access to access (MS that is) and the purpose of the
project is to build a compleet freeware system (besides windows itself)

But you are very, very encouraged to proof me wrong, and come up with the
best freeware report/forms desinger yet... :)
 
S

Sietse Fliege

MightyKitten said:
But still... In this age of very nice freeware installers, it should
come witha n uninstall and a propper default folder, if you use the
setup feature...

You remind me of a tool that I came across.
I wonder if you (or rather your clients) might have use for this:

ZipInstaller
http://freehost14.websamba.com/nirsoft/utils/zipinst.html

Download ZipInstaller executable only - zipinst.exe (31KB)
http://freehost14.websamba.com/nirsoft/utils/zipinst.exe

Download ZipInstaller and help file in a Zip file (46KB)
http://freehost14.websamba.com/nirsoft/utils/zipinst.zip

"The ZipInstaller utility installs and uninstalls applications and
utilities that do not provide an internal installation program. It
automatically extracts all files from the Zip file, copies them to the
destination folder you select, creates shortcuts in the start menu and
in your desktop, and adds an uninstall module to allow you to
automatically remove the software in the future.
This utility was originally developed to install the utilities in
NirSoft Web site, but you can use it for installing utilities and
applications from other sources, like the utilities provided in
SysInternal Web site, Funduc Software, and many others.
Generally, this utility can install properly almost any software
compressed in Zip files that doesn't provide an install/uninstall
module."
Well result of this mail and that of Sietse Fliege. 1 point added to
HabFiles score in my internal database database...

Could you make that maybe 1 and a half point? *g*
Nice Nick, By The way. Made me laugh :)

Sorry about that! *g*
 
B

Bjorn Simonsen

Susan Bugher wrote in said:
This page has a list of DB and DB frontends - they're all listed in the
Database subcategory - feel free to sort them out for me while you're
there. :)

http://www.pricelessware.org/2004/programs/P_BUSINESS-HOME.php

a note for your list, Office-QB <http://dbrsoft.com/prod01.htm> is
"registerware" - sort of. No password/key in mail - but had to supply
name and e-mail address (register with them) to get to the d/l page.
(and had to use IE to get to the register pop-up invoked by download
link, no go with Opera).

All the best,
Bjorn Simonsen
 
M

MightyKitten

Do you call *That* a database?
Well... *I* do! :-D
(I'm just to ashamed to admit it, since it is Dutch and I never found it
before)

Hé, though SM-Dos based, I think I'll like it. (A lot!)
Were is that dB III book I once had :)
Even a 'way' to put the data into html pages...

Thanks again for this great find...

Now I'm off to punish myself for not finding it on my own...

MightyKitten

Pie Iesu domine, dona eis requiem.
[bonk]
Pie Iesu domine,...
[bonk]
...dona eis requiem.
[bonk]
Pie Iesu domine,...
[bonk]
... dona eis requiem
[bonk]
...
[bonk]
...
 
M

MightyKitten

To Myself (and all others who take intrest in this thread)
If found an other nice Database engine:
+ Runs under windows
+ Costum forms
+ Report designer
+ Import DBF
+ Export to DBF, CSV and Excel
+ Programmed with the end user in mind. (Very usefull in office
applications)
+ Also freeware for comanies

*BUT*

in German. Big bummer for thos who do not speak it, but with trail and
error, you will understand most of it... The reporp designer has an english
helpfile , by the way (Just an add-in to the application, i suppose) Just
look in the application folder.

An english version of the website can be found at
http://www.buchenwald.de/software/windbf-e.html


MightyKitten
 
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