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, 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.

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 123 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.

Relational database systems

SQL - xBase

Other relational database systems

Relational database systems that are neither primarily xBase nor SQL systems, note that some of the systems below may offer some sort of compatibility with either of those two standards and may therefore appear both here and on the xBase/SQL pages or even in all three places.

• Btrieve
• DataEase
• DataFLEX
• Enable/OA
• Lotus Approach
• OpenOffice
• pcVerse - A version of "Universe" (A Pick system)
• Rbase
• Rel - "True relational" system
• Stretch DBMS

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.
• Q&A

Other database systems

• Business Basic - BB has built in
• COBOL -

Database utilities

• DB-Fill Commercial - Discontinued - Creates database files for testing purposes.

Publications

Vintage EDM/2 database articles

• Introduction to Relational Databases by Fernando Lozano (December 1998)
• Installing and Configuring the Sybase SQL Anywhere Server for OS/2 by Fernando Lozano (November 1998)
• Creating GUI Applications Using Java and mSQL by Fernando Lozano (November 1998)
• Accessing Databases using Java and JDBC by Fernando Lozano (July 1998)
• mSQL Revisited by Fernando Lozano (June 1998)
• An introduction to mSQL by Fernando Lozano (May 1998)
• Attention DB2 Developers(August 1996)
• Connect Your Data to the Web with Net.Data by John E. Peterson(August 1996)
• Extend DB2 Beyond the Ordinary by Ed Ort (August 1996)

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 OS/2 and eComStation as part of IBM Works. They are included in the listing here for completeness sake, however.

Name	Type	Last known version	Programming language	Generates executables	DBCS or Unicode	REXX Macros	Other macro language	Language	License	Status
Advanced Pick/DOS	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Alpha 4	Relational	8	No	Paid runtime	No	No	Keyboard oriented	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Borland Paradox	Relational	??	PAL	Free runtime	??	No	Keyboard only	English & German	Commercial	Discontinued
Condor	Relational	??	No	No	No	No	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
DataEase	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
DataFLEX	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
DataPerfect	Relational	2.6y	No	No	No	No	??	English	Originally commercial - now freeware	Current
Enable/OA	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
nanoBase	Relational	Release 1997	xBase	Free runtime	No	No	No	English	Open source	Discontinued
pcVerse	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Q&A	Flat file	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
RapidFile	Flat file	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Vulcan (Emerald Bay)	Relational	??	xBase like	??	No	No	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued

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 OS/2 and eComStation as part of IBM Works. They are included in the listing here for completeness sake, however.

Name	Type	Last known version	Programming language	Generates executables	DBCS or Unicode	REXX Macros	Other macro language	Language	License	Status
AceFile	Flat file	2.0	None	No	??	No	Keyboard only	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Alpha 5	Relational	??	xBasic	Paid runtime	??	No	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Borland Paradox	Relational	5.0	PAL	Free runtime	??	No	Keyboard only	English & German	Commercial	Discontinued
ButtonFile	Flat file	??	None	No	??	No	Keyboard only	English	Originally commercial, now freeware	Discontinued
CA Visual Objects	Relational	1.0	xBase	Yes	??	No	Keyboard only	English	Commercial	Discontinued
DataEase	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued
Microsoft Access	Relational	2.0	Basic	Free runtime	??	No	Keyboard only	English, German, French, Italian, Spanish & Portuguese	Commercial	Discontinued
pcVerse	Relational	??	??	??	??	??	??	English	Commercial	Discontinued

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

Name	Type	Last known version	Programming language	Generates executables	Java EE API	REXX Macros	Other macro language	Language	License	Status
Apache Derby	Relational	??	??	No	Yes	No	No	English	Open source	Current