What is Base?

[drewjensen]

Howdy,

Looking for your thoughts on this.

Summarize what Base *is* in 1 or 2 paragraphs.

So let those fingers hit the keys.

Let's see if we can put a nice opening couple of paragraphs together and
when we are done we'll pass it along to Dan Lewis who has put together
the first draft of Chapter 1 for the Base Users Guide.

Thanks,

Drew



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[drewjensen]

Ok - its always good to start from something isn't it.

Dan's current draft for "What is Base".
 
-------------------------------

Base uses the HSQLdb database engine to create and later update ODF 1.2
database frontend documents. One of these documents can contain the
complete database in which it is known as an embedded database. Other
frontend documents contain all the information needed by HSQLdb to
access a data source. These data sources can include a variety of file
types.

The Base application is used to work with ODF 1.2 Database Frontend
Documents. Base is not just a databse engine as is MySQL, PostgreSQL,
and Oracle 11g for example. Base includes additional functionality
allowing the user to create full data driven applications,

    *

      Defining the table structures used.

    *

      Building the UI with query definitions and forms.

    *

      Data browsing and filtering for ad-hoc analysis/editing functions.

HSQLdb is written in Java. For the beginner, it is best to install JRE
(Java Runtime Environment) to avoid possible problems and frustrations.
For those who understand what JDBC, ODBC, and SDBC drivers are, JRE is
only required when creating an embedded database or using the JDBC
driver to access an external database. (This is a database which is not
embedded.)

If you know what a flat database is, you can access this type of file
without needing. These databases can include email client address books
(Outlook, Thunderbird, and LADP for example).



-----------------------------


So - start from scratch or just make changes, either way.

Drew

[JZA]

On Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:45:09 -0500, Drew Jensen  
<userslist@...> wrote:

> Howdy,
>
> Looking for your thoughts on this.
>
> Summarize what Base *is* in 1 or 2 paragraphs.
>
> So let those fingers hit the keys.
>
> Let's see if we can put a nice opening couple of paragraphs together and  
> when we are done we'll pass it along to Dan Lewis who has put together  
> the first draft of Chapter 1 for the Base Users Guide.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drew

Base is a desktop oriented database module for OpenOffice.org. The Base  
frontend was included in OpenOffice.org 2.x where can store natively in  
hdbsql as well as connect to external databases like industry standard  
MySQL, PostgreSQL and Oracle.

The Base module includes a Query, Form a Table design and a report area  
where the user can generate all these.

--
Alexandro Colorado
CoLeader of OpenOffice.org ES
http://es.openoffice.org

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[John Meyer-8]

The first paragraph doesn't so much tell what Base is as what it does.  
I'd go for something along these lines:

Base is OpenOffice's front-end database application and the equivalent
of Microsoft Access in Office.  It can interact with a wide variety of
formats and database systems, and allows users to input data (either
directly or through the use of forms), query databases, and even print
reports.


Drew Jensen wrote:

> Ok - its always good to start from something isn't it.
>
> Dan's current draft for "What is Base".
>
> -------------------------------
>
> Base uses the HSQLdb database engine to create and later update ODF
> 1.2 database frontend documents. One of these documents can contain
> the complete database in which it is known as an embedded database.
> Other frontend documents contain all the information needed by HSQLdb
> to access a data source. These data sources can include a variety of
> file types.
>
> The Base application is used to work with ODF 1.2 Database Frontend
> Documents. Base is not just a databse engine as is MySQL, PostgreSQL,
> and Oracle 11g for example. Base includes additional functionality
> allowing the user to create full data driven applications,
>
>    *
>
>      Defining the table structures used.
>
>    *
>
>      Building the UI with query definitions and forms.
>
>    *
>
>      Data browsing and filtering for ad-hoc analysis/editing functions.
>
> HSQLdb is written in Java. For the beginner, it is best to install JRE
> (Java Runtime Environment) to avoid possible problems and
> frustrations. For those who understand what JDBC, ODBC, and SDBC
> drivers are, JRE is only required when creating an embedded database
> or using the JDBC driver to access an external database. (This is a
> database which is not embedded.)
>
> If you know what a flat database is, you can access this type of file
> without needing. These databases can include email client address
> books (Outlook, Thunderbird, and LADP for example).
>
>
>
> -----------------------------
>
>
> So - start from scratch or just make changes, either way.
>
> Drew
>

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[Reizinger Zoltán]

Hi,
This is my turn, (not forget that my English is as good as I like):
A little longer than others proposed text, not only first words, but
text can be inserted into introduction:

What is Base?

OpenOffice.org Base is a database management part of OOo, it is for data
storing, manipulation. With help of base you can design, database
tables, relations, queries, forms and reports, close tho that you can do
in similar applications. With help of Base you can connect to file based
“databases”, as different address books, dbf, text or spreadsheets, and
connect to database management systems (DBMS) databases (MySQL,
PostgreSQL, Firebird, Oracle, MS Access), and use them as external data
source, through SDBC, ODBC, JDBC drivers. In these cases you can use
Base as front-end to them. If these things not know for you, please not
stop reading it, you will be more familiar them in the future.

If you compare of other part of OOo which are more close to
counterparts, (Writer to Word, Calc to Excel), you can find lot of
differences to Access.

Database vs. Spreadsheet

Before we really start to introduce the database management, think about
why we selected to use DBMS, or choose spreadsheet for this tasks.

What type of data will be stored? - Text, date, numbers, pictures, etc.;

How many people will use it? - One ore more;

Where will you store the data? - on your own computer, over local
network, or internet;

How frequently you change data? - once a month, day, in every hour, or
never;

How much change, the data, how many data will be inserted or changed?

The data retrieve how will happen, in what format and what will be the
retrieve frequency?

If we went through this list we can decide, select a spreadsheet, in
case of slow data changing rate, single user, with small amount of data.
But in this case you must manage the spreadsheet deficiencies when
compared to database usage.

If we see the spreadsheets database features, we can say, it is a
calculator, with list handling capabilities, no relations, the cells can
contains any data, and will not refuse the data input if you insert
wrong data into it. All numbers handled as floating point numbers.

If these features not enough for you select database over spreadsheet.
If the data changes frequently, choose database, your error rate will be
less. If more user use Base file with HSQLDB built in database, on
network, can be enough if you can manage that only the first user can
use all capabilities of Base, others can use as read only, some case it
is enough. If you want to use in multiuser environment with restricted
data access, you must use database server with user access control for
data storage, and use Base as front-end, applying forms for data input,
queries, reports for data retrieve.


Zoltan

Drew Jensen írta:

> Howdy,
>
> Looking for your thoughts on this.
>
> Summarize what Base *is* in 1 or 2 paragraphs.
>
> So let those fingers hit the keys.
>
> Let's see if we can put a nice opening couple of paragraphs together
> and when we are done we'll pass it along to Dan Lewis who has put
> together the first draft of Chapter 1 for the Base Users Guide.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drew

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[ian_hulin]

Drew Jensen wrote:

> Howdy,
>
> Looking for your thoughts on this.
>
> Summarize what Base *is* in 1 or 2 paragraphs.
>
> So let those fingers hit the keys.
>
> Let's see if we can put a nice opening couple of paragraphs together and
> when we are done we'll pass it along to Dan Lewis who has put together
> the first draft of Chapter 1 for the Base Users Guide.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Drew

Base is OpenOffice's front-end database application and the equivalent
of Microsoft Access in MS Office.  It can interact with a wide variety
of formats and database systems, and allows users to input data (either
directly or through the use of forms), query databases, and print reports.

Base can use several different database engines.  By default it uses the
  HSQL engine, which is supplied with Base in OpenOffice.

However, it can also use other open-source database engines like MySQL
and PostgreSQL, or even other commercial engines like MS SQLServer or
Oracle via connections such as ODBC, JDBC and SDBC.

The database engine and/or connector you decide to use are defined by
Base when you initially create your database.

Base allows you to create full data driven applications using your
chosen combination of connector and database engine.  Once you have
created your database, you can then use Base to
   * Define table structures
   * Build the UI using forms
   * Filter and browse the data using queries
   * Create Reports

Base can be extended like other OpenOffice applications using
extensions.  One commonly used extension for Base is the Sun Report
Generator.


Cheers,
Ian Hulin



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[drewjensen]

All the feedback is great - would like to look at this last offering from
Ian an propose some  modifications

Base allows you to create full data driven applications using your choice
database engine.  Once you have created your database, you can then use Base
to
 * Define table structures
 * Build the UI using forms
 * Filter and browse the data using queries
 * Create Reports

Base produces Open Document Format (ODF) v1.2 Database Front End  documents.


Base can interact with data stored in a wide variety of formats, from flat
files such as text files or spread sheets, to remote servers running
relational database systems.

Base includes by default the HSQLdb engine and when used stores the data
directly in the odb file.  Native drivers are also available with support
for other open-source database engines, specifically MySQL and PostgreSQL.

Supporting industry standard connectivity utilities, ODBC, JDBC and OLEdb, a
Base front end application can work with commercial engines such as MS
SQLServer or Oracle.

As part of the OpenOffice.org application suite, Base fully supports third
party extensions. One example being the Sun Report Builder extension.


>
Drew

>
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