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 data replication, visualisation and mining.
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
Other relational database systems
- Btrieve
- DataEase
- DataFLEX
- Enable/OA
- Lotus Approach
- OpenOffice
- pcVerse - A version of "Universe" (A Pick system)
- Rbase
- Rel - "True relational" system
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 -
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 |
| DataEase | Relational | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | English | Commercial | Discontinued |
| DataFLEX | Relational | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | English | Commercial | Discontinued |
| Enable/OA | Relational | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | English | Commercial | Discontinued |
| pcVerse | Relational | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | English | Commercial | Discontinued |
| Q&A | Flat file | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | ?? | 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 |