Re: Software tool to develop front-end application (Visual Basic + SQL*Net)?

To add to what is already said:

Besides ODBC Oracle also supplies OLE DB provider and custom OLE-based solution named Oracle Objects for OLE (OO4O) for use with Microsoft development tools (OO4O is particularly useful with VB), so you actually have plenty of choices. All these require Oracle Client software on client PC though (because they all need Net8 and OCI (Oracle Call Interface) libraries at least.)

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Vladimir Zakharychev (bob_at_dpsp-yes.com)                http://www.dpsp-yes.com
Dynamic PSP(tm) - the first true RAD toolkit for Oracle-based internet applications.
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"Anthony Hogan" <ahogan-nospam-_at_iespana.es> wrote in message news:3D943E9A.5A6928A2_at_iespana.es...


> Chung Ta wrote:

> > 

> > Hi all,

> > 

> > I am a novice person in terms of developing a front-end database application


> > using tools such as Visual Basic on the client pc accessing Oracle database

> > running on the Unix server.

> > 

> > I am familiar with Visual Basic as the front-end tool to access the database

> > via ODBC or ADO method. These belong to the group of Microsoft technology.

> > 

> > Somebody mentioned that I could use SQL*Net as the front-end software tool.

> > But I don't know whether SQL*Net is a set of development tools that I can

> > use to develop front-end database application.

> > I am hoping that I can use Visual Basic in conjuction with SQL*Net but

> > unsure if this is feasible. I am afraid that when I commit to SQL*Net I have

> > to use SQL Form which is one of the development tool from Oracle and I am

> > not familiar with this at all.

> > 

> > Am I making sense in the question regarding Visual Basic and SQL*Net in

> > developing a front-end database application?

> > 

> > I would appreciate if someone can answer my question or point me to the

> > direction where I could obtain further clarification.

> > 

> > Thank you

> > Chung

> 

> Chung,

> SQL*Net (now Net8) is Oracle's communication protocol. It's function is

> to *enable services and their applications to reside on different

> computers and communicate as peer applications*.

> It is quite usual to use VB as the front-end tool against an Oracle DB.

> Rather than use ODBC directly, you must set up an ODBC-Net8 bridge. The

> steps involved are quite straightforward:

> > Install Oracle client

> > Configure the Net8 service name to point at the instance(database).

> > Create an ODBC data source using the Oracle controller specifying the service name from step 2

> 

> A word to the wise: You *will* need a considerable element of code

> development on the database side ( referential/data constraints,

> triggers, functions etc..) If the front-end takes on too much(any) data

> referential or consistency control you may end up with with an

> application that uses far more resources than desired :(.

> 

> Good luck & hth

> Anthony Hogan