On Thu, 2003-10-30 at 09:16, Thomas Adam wrote:
--- s-clarob@st-aidans.cumbria.sch.uk wrote: > What are people using for a desktop database? Or what options are there?
If we were to move to Linux in the curriculum we would need a useable Database for our sixth form projects.
Sigh,
Not this tired old refrain again?
If you're looking for an MS-Access style database, good-luck. I believe Koffice is due to ship with something that is similar to Access.
Truth is, the only *good* database the the students might want to use is postgresql and/or mysql. Both come with lots of pretty GUI front-ends, they'll probably have to know a bit about SQL and/or normalisation -- but then, it's not that hard.
There are two viable options as far as I am concerned. Both use MySQL as a backend database engine (remember Access has a backend built in - Jet). Knoda is by far the easiest to use but queries have to be written in SQL ,which I have found students to take to very quickly because it is close to natural language and is logical. Knoda also provides forms and reports and scripting support in Python. The other option is a little less intuitive as you have to dig around a little, but OpenOffice can be used. There is a 'third' way but this would only be suitable for very able students or those interested in Web technologies; Zope with a database adapter and MySQL - works great, but I have not had any students capable of attempting its use. If you would like any advice on setting these up please ask. Lastly, it has always saddened me that at A-level in this country we are turning out students whose only experience of databases is in a product that in the real world is not taken very seriously at all. It is no wonder that Universities teaching CS courses have a low regard for ICT A-levels. Use MySQL and get them connecting on the command line :-) Kind regards Garry Saddington Skegness Grammar School, England