Re: new to databases

Windows. XP to be exact. I could use Unix if need be, though.

David Katcher

On Thu, 20 Mar 2003, Gabriel Gonzalez wrote:

> Yeah, Oracle is overkill for your situation... What platform?
>
> "david nathan katcher" <dkatcher_at_students.uiuc.edu> wrote in message
> news:Pine.GSO.4.31.0303192144300.26611-100000_at_ux12.cso.uiuc.edu...
> > Thanks for your help so far. I think oracle might be overkill for what I
> > am trying to do. I have around 5000 records. What I need is a way to
> > organize these records. I need to use C++, along with openGL, to
> > manipulate this data and then produce a visualization from the data. So I
> > am looking for best (i.e. easiest) way to bring this data into my program
> > to do calculations with it. I figured that since my dataset is around
> > 5000, a database would be the best way to go.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > David Katcher
> >
> >
> > On Wed, 19 Mar 2003, Gabriel Gonzalez wrote:
> >
> > > > how exactly this database is stored. For instance, if I need to run
> this
> > > > program on a computer that does not have oracle, is it possible to use
> > > > this database? (i.e. is there a way to have the database created and
> not
> > >
> > > Not unless you are connected to the db somehow (via some network link
> that
> > > transports TCP/IP, or another supported protocol).
> > >
> > > > not possible, would I be better off using Access, which is more
> > > > available?(Also, is it possible with Access to write embedded SQL and
> pull
> > > > info from Access databases?) Thanks for the help.
> > >
> > > Depends on what you want to do.
> > >
> > > Oracle's more for "bog" stuff. Lots of data (where "lots" is more than
> > > [more or less] 200,000 records. This is a _very_ subjective figure, but
> > > it's ball-park), lots of users, lots of transactions, very high
> > > availability, extremely robust. With Oracle (and other bid DBs) you
> never
> > > modify the data files directly. You always talk to the RDBMS programs
> > > running on the server, even if you are running the database locally.
> These
> > > systems are very expensive.
> > >
> > > Desktop databases (Access, Clipper, dBase, FoxPro, Paradox, etc...) are
> > > different. They are much simpler and you do not have a separate
> "server"
> > > process running. You always manipulate the data files directly (usually
> via
> > > drivers nowadays) and you have a higher risk of data corruption. Much
> fewer
> > > users are supported (the most is about 20, although you can push it very
> to
> > > about 60 with some of the data file formats mentioned). Price is
> extremely
> > > cheap (free).
> > >
> > > Each database type has its application, and none is better than another
> > > inherently. You have to choose the best DB for the specific job at
> hand.
> > >
> > > Having said that, if you need help in choosing, or have any other
> questions,
> > > ask again, but with more information as to what you intend to do.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
Received on Thu Mar 20 2003 - 12:09:29 CST