John Richard Smith wrote: > Randy, you mentioned earlier in the thread about database programmes, > like MySQL. > I find I have MySQL ,it comes with the distro. I installed it and > find that it's a command line programme, and well yes, I know if you > look in mysql --help you will get a list of commands and options etc, > but you know it's a bit like going up to a chef and asking him to > create a dish he has never heard of with nothing but a collection of > ingredients to go by, not even a hint of what combination of command > s to start with. I assume one puts up a shell and begin there. ? > > So as it stands I haven't a clue what to do to use the programme.
I just responded to one of your other emails, and mentioned that your spreadsheet is quite small and you should be able to stick with a spreadsheet for years to come (but something faster than the current speed of Kspread). I was somehow envisioning a much bigger spreadsheet, with you perhaps collecting 10 or 100s of data samples per day -- at this point I'd stick with a spreadsheet, but you may still wish to learn more about a database just for general knowledge or possible future use. One point you mention below is correct -- AFAIK, most spreadsheets load all their data into RAM memory, a database keeps the data on disk, and only loads specific things when required -- thus, it can handle much larger quantities of data. I learned databases more or less in the dos/Windows world, with things like dBase III, III+, and IV, Paradox, Rbase, and Access. They basically come with a built in GUI (well, maybe that's not a real accurate statement to make for the earlier things -- not a GUI like we're used to, but stuff to make it easy to set up programs to interface to the data without very much programming). I'm just getting into Linux, but MySQL and Postgres are more like the raw "database engine" behind programs (applications) like dBase, Paradox, and Access -- I'm not aware that they have a GUI front end unless you (or somebody else) has built one to serve your specific purpose. Hopefully, someone else can provide additional information. Randy Kramer > > Now I also wondered whether there was such a thing as a gui front end > to this backend type programme. Anyone got any knowledge ? > > Also, I would like to understand, what if any is the difference > between using a spreadsheet programme and using a database programme. > What is the technical difference between them, do they work in > different ways. In the spreadsheet programmes it would seem , the > programme and the data are all loaded into memory, perhaps database > programmes like MySQL work differently ? I don't know ! > But if database programmes exist they must offer some technical > advantage, what is it ? > > John > -- > John Richard Smith > [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
