Databases
A database is a software program that handles the creation and storage of sets of data and in most cases also handles utilitarian tasks in relation to the dataset such as sorting & searching individual records inside the set, and with more advanced packages tasks such as the replication, visualisation and mining of data. Databases are primarily business tools although they can also be useful for the storage of personal information and they can be either intended for software developers or end users.
Contents
Alternatives to database programs
Databases are not the only tool available for storing and working with structured data and not always the best option you have. Software such as spreadsheets handle data, in particular business, financial and statistical data with aplomb, no matter if it is a classic spreadsheet like Lotus 1-2-3 or a more abstract tool like Lotus Improv and more specialised programs like accounting software, personal finance managers, PIM's and contract managers may solve the problem of storing and working with day to day business data in a more economical and easier to use fashion. However it is more frequent to see spreadsheets used where you should be using a database and not the other way around.
Hierarchical databases
- Raima Database - Commercial
Flat file databases for OS/2
- AceFile - Announced as available for OS/2 but possibly never shipped. - Windows version later sold by Lotus in bundles.
- IBM Works - Discontinued but shipped free with eComStation and all versions of OS/2 Warp and later.
- Symantec Q&A
Embeddable databases
Other database systems
- Business Basic - BB has built in ISAM like facilities.
- COBOL - ISAM or VSAM facilities built in.
Database utilities
- DB-Fill Commercial - Discontinued - Creates database files for testing purposes.
- SQLite Browser - Create and edit SQLite files - Open source - Current.
Database front end development systems
Publications
Vintage EDM/2 database articles
- Introduction to Relational Databases (Dec 1998)
- Accessing Databases Using Java and JDBC (Jul 1998)
DOS databases
Note that DOS flat file and free form databases are in most cases not worth investigating since they are in general even less powerful than the one shipped free with BonusPak as part of IBM Works. They are included in the listing here for completeness sake, however.
| Name | Last Version | Programming Language | Runtime Support | DBCS or Unicode | Macro language | NLS | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Pick/DOS | Commercial | ||||||
| Alpha 4 | 8 | No | Paid | No | Keyboard oriented | Commercial | |
| Borland Paradox | 4.5 | PAL | Free | No | Keyboard only | FR, DE | Commercial |
| Condor | No | No | No | Commercial | |||
| DAC-Easy Base | No | No | Commercial | ||||
| DataEase | 5.5 | DQL | Commercial | ||||
| DataFLEX | Commercial | ||||||
| DataPerfect | 2.6y | No | No | No | Former commercial, now freeware | ||
| EasyBase | 11.4 | Limited | Runtime | No | Former shareware, now freeware | ||
| Enable/OA | Commercial | ||||||
| Empress | 4.8 | Yes | Yes | No | Commercial | ||
| FoxBASE | 1.21 | xBase | Paid | No | No | - | Commercial |
| FoxPro | 2.6b | xBase | Paid | No | No | Commercial | |
| nanoBase | Release 1997 | xBase | Free | No | No | Open source | |
| pcVerse | Commercial | ||||||
| VP-Info | xBase | Yes | No | No | Commercial | ||
| Vulcan (Emerald Bay) | xBase like | No | Commercial |
| Name | Last Version | Programming Language | Runtime Support | DBCS or Unicode | Macro language | NLS | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Symantec Q&A (F&A) | 4.0 | DE | Commercial | ||||
| RapidFile | 1.2 | FR | Commercial |
WinOS/2 databases
Note that WinOS/2 flat file databases are in most cases not worth investigating, since they are in general even less powerful than the one shipped free with BonusPak as part of IBM Works. They are included in the listing here for completeness’ sake, however.
| Name | Last Version | Programming Language | Runtime Support | MBCS | Macro Language | NLS | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha 5 | xBasic | Paid | Commercial | ||||
| Borland Paradox | 5.0 | PAL | Free | Keyboard only | DE | Commercial | |
| CA Visual Objects | 1.0 | xBase | Yes | Keyboard only | Commercial | ||
| DataEase | Commercial | ||||||
| Microsoft Access | 2.0 | Basic | Free | Keyboard only | DE, ES, FR, IT, PT | Commercial | |
| Microsoft FoxPro | 2.6 | DE | Commercial | ||||
| pcVerse | Commercial |
| Name | Last Version | Programming Language | Runtime Support | MBCS | Macro Language | NLS | License |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AceFile | 2.0 | None | No | Keyboard only | Commercial | ||
| ButtonFile | None | No | Keyboard only | Originally commercial, now freeware |
Java databases
Most java databased are intended to be used from inside other Java programs, typically using the JDBC mechanism although some support the Java EE database API as well, they can however be used as backends for PM programs, etc. All Java based databases support Unicode and through that mechanism DBCS on an OS/2 system.
| Name | Type | Last Version | Programming language | Java EE API | Macro Language | NLS | License | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Derby | Relational | No | Yes | No | Open source | Current |
Publications
- Andreas Heuer, Gunter Saake: Datenbanken — Konzepte und Sprachen - ITP 1995, ISBN 3929821311
