Re: database ad hoc queries

In article <N1agcc4w165w_at_c-cat.UUCP>, david_at_c-cat.UUCP (Dave) writes:
>
>the client wants the ability to do ad hoc queries on the database
>without paying for a DBA to do it via SQL.
>
>this is a v7 oracle database.
>
>this client is looking for window applications to give their users
>the ad hoc database query capability, they have mentioned two:
>
>1. WordPerfect Informs, which has the ability to grab information
> out of Oracle tables.
>2. Forest and Trees
> I've never heard of this windows application, not sure what it
> does.
>
>is there a better windows application to do what I want that I have
>not discovered yet ?

Wow!

There are a BUNCH of products that claim to do what you want. Whether or not they will really do what you want depends a great deal on the complexity of your database and the sophistication of your users.

If the database is simple, or the users will be querying against some small set of extracted summary tables, then any of a dozen different point and click tools will do the job. The drawback is that the users must know what data is available and where to find it in the database.

Somebody can set up the system in advance to know how to join the tables properly, but the user of the point and click tool still must know what's out there and in which table.

There are basically 3 choices for ad hoc query:

SQL:
- User must know database structure, proper joins, and SQL

Point & Click tools:
- User must know database structure
- There are a bunch of them, and some of the companies don't stay around   for very long, so be careful.

• Oracle DataBrowser, Oracle Corporation
• Intelligent Query, Programmed Intelligence Corp.
• SQLASSIST, Software Interfaces, Inc.
• Executive Query Tool, Telebit Corporation
• SQL*Builder, SQL*Builder
• Cognos, Cognos Corporation - - -

Natural Language query tools:
- User asks English questions of the database

• Natural Language from Natural Language, Inc.
  • Good for complex databases
• Intellect from Trinzic Corp.
  • Good for simple databases or summary tables - MUCH, MUCH, MUCH up-front set up work, but then the users don't have to know anything at all about the database structure.

I've used both of the NL tools, and presented a paper about them to the IOUW conference in September. Email me if you want more information.

Jennifer Amon
bamon_at_ocvaxc.cc.oberlin.edu

Jennifer R. Amon            PHONE: (216) 775-6987   
Houck Computing Center        FAX: (216) 775-8573    
Oberlin College          
Oberlin, OH 44074        INTERNET: bamon_at_ocvaxc.cc.oberlin.edu
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