If this is going to be done properly then we will need not only the E-R (Entity Relationship) diagrams but also Entity Life History diagrams for any procedures that will need to be written. Have we an agreed standard to which we are going to operate - eg: SSADM? Surely, the first thing we need to do is to look at what is really required, then develop a 'core' package based upon SQL, but to which school's can add tables etc as required. A major problem with proprietary solutions is that they are a 'one size fits all' approach which causes me no end of frustration. Michael Brown wrote:
Dia can (AFAIK) produce ER diagrams, and you can get utilities that will use them to generate SQL. Dia is free, but I'm not sure how cross-platform it is.
Dia does run under windows but it's very unstable....
Are there visual tools for interacting with a postgresql backend, again x platform? Interbase has several.
In order to be as croiss platform as possible then the best 'front-end' option is HTML, However, I believe both Pascal and Visual basic would interact with SQL via ODBC if nothing else. Lotus Approach does this really well and it works via SQL if required. Open Source 'Visual Basic' is available in the form of Envelop - check it out on sourceforge. What we do need however, is a 'wish list' from schools - start with basic 'Pupil Administration' requirements (names, forms, contacts, medical, teachers, free school meals and learning support stages) and then work from there. I'll submit my ER diagrams asap - I take that Dia will be OK with everyone for this? Alan ----------------------------------------------------- Alan Harris Network Manager Bryngwyn School Tel : 01554 750661 Fax : 01554 758255 E-mail: alanh@bryngwyn.carmarthen.sch ----------------------------------------------------- Notes: 1. The contents of this email may be snooped on by interested government parties for unknown purposes! Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, 2000. 2. The opinions expressed in this email are personal and may not be shared by Bryngwyn School. -----------------------------------------------------