On Saturday 18 January 2003 9:47 pm, Kyle Williamson wrote:
And so we have, alas :( I could do with something where I click a magical button and the exam timetables,timetables etc are transported across into MySQL... We have had some success at this kind of activity - but the technique is only of use for getting current data out of SIMS and is no use if you want to modify the data and put it back. Sadly, I can't remember the name of the package, but somewhere in the SIMS suite of applications is a report generator - it might be called 'something pro' if my brain cells are working this morning. You can get that to dump most things you are likely to need into csv files which you can then load into mysql. I've used it to get lists of teachers, kids, groups and subjects out of the system for a PHP/MySQL based report writing system I'm in the middle of writing. The solution is a bit lame because you are not linked into the live data.
SIMS do seem to have an API they are developing for the MSSQL backed system. They do not want people messing directly with the database tables, but rather to talk through their API. Given their track record, I can't see how the system they develop can possibly be any good. Those who like talking to software through multiple layers of treacle may feel differently :) Cheers -- Phil Driscoll