Berkeley DB...

Berkeley DB (or BDB) is a computer program library that offers an embedded database. The software has bindings for various programming languages, including Smalltalk, Python, Perl, Java, PHP C++ and C.

Berkeley DB Information

BDB keeps the data pairs/arbitrary key as byte arrays. BDB also provides support for many simultaneous threads or processes handling databases. BDB can handle data as big as 256 terabytes. BDB can also work in different operating systems, including Windows.

An application retrieving data has the option to decide how the information will be stored. Unlike other programs, there are no restrictions on the data record. In terms of length, the key and record can be 4 GB long.

Architecture

BDB is noted for its simple architecture. Despite its simple structure, the program has support for many features. These include replication, hot backups, fine-grained locking, and ACID transactions. The system does not have support for network access. Databases can be accessed utilizing API calls.

Versions

BDB comes in three editions: Berkeley DB XML, Berkeley DB Java Edition and Berkeley DB. All the editions come with their own distinct database library. The first is Berkeley DB, which is made using C. The Berkeley DB Java Edition (JE) is set in Java entirely.

In terms of design it is somewhat like BDB. While it has features like BDB, it also has features specifically for java. There is no native code needed since it is made using Java. The Berkeley DB XML database is used for storing XML documents. It can also support various XQuery queries.

Another piece of Berkeley DB information worth noting is that Berkeley DB XML is used as a layer for BDB. Berkeley DB XML has support for Java, C and multiple language bindings.

Apps that Use BDB

BDB is used as the retrieval and storage system of numerous LDAP servers. Some of these programs include MySQL, Rbot (an IRC bot), Terracotta, Sun Grid Engine (open source database management), Bogofilter (a spam filter) and Cfengine (a configuration management program).

Other programs that employ BDB are Citadel, Cyrus IMAP Server, Figaro DB, GlusterFS, GRAMPS and HyperGraphDB. There are other database management programs that use it.

One more piece of Berkeley DB information has to be said: its license will depend on how the program will be utilized. If the program will not be distributed, the Sleepycat License is used. For proprietary programs, the license agreement between the program publisher and Oracle will be applied.

How to Install PostgreSQL...

PostgreSQL is an open source relational database that can be run in different platforms. It is also compatible with various programming languages. The following guides will show you how to install the program.

How to Install PostgreSQL

Step 1

Get the PostgreSQL source code package from the Internet. Unzip it using these commands: gunzip postgresql-8.3.1.tar.gz & tar xf postgresql-8.3.1.tar.

Step 2

Move the postgresql-8.3.1 folder under the present folder where the source code had been unpacked.

Step 3

Keep running the configure script to set up the source tree for your system. The default setup assesses the components in the system. It will conduct examinations to determine what values will be utilized to make the source tree. This is going to build the tools, server
and client applications.

Step 4

Enter “gmake install” to put the files in the folders you made. The installation is finished.

Tips

The build can go about in various ways depending on the preferences you set on the command line. It is also possible to make changes following the package installation.

It is also possible to start all over again. Rebuilding the installation is possible. It means you can change the system settings until the right configuration is attained.

How to Install PostgreSQL PHP Connectors in Windows XP

Step 1

Find the php.ini file. In some PHP installations, this is in the C:\Windows folder. If it isn’t there, go to the folder where you installed the PHP files. Use Notepad or another simple text editor to open this file.

Step 2

Scroll through the file until you see the “;extension=php_pgsql.dll” line. Change it to take away the semicolon. It should now read “extension=php_pgsql.dll”. Click file, save.

Step 3

Restart the web server. Reload the PHP. Go to the Start menu and choose “Run”. Type “iisreset” as the administrator.

Tips

You can verify the php_pgsql.dll module is loaded by making another PHP file. At the web server, use the following syntax: “<?php phpinfo(); ?>”. After running the file, it will be visible at the modules.

Warnings

Make sure you study the configuration before making changes. While the program is easy to use, making unnecessary changes may lead to unforeseen problems.It is better to be sure, so examine the configuration.

SQL Tutorials...

These simple SQL tutorials are designed for new users. While these commands are basic, they can help you come to grips with the way the language works.

How to Use the REPLACE Command

This command works like the find and replace feature in spreadsheets and word processors. The syntax is:

REPLACE(string, old_string, new_string);

You can use the REPLACE command with SET and UPDATE. These can be used to update data in a table. For instance:

UPDATE movies SET director = REPLACE(director, George Lucas’, ‘Steven Spielberg’);

This query informs MySQL an update will be made for the “director” field in the “movie” table. Then it will replace all George Lucas entries with Steven Spielberg.

Note: it is best to be specific with the REPLACE command. This way you don’t accidentally overwrite other data.

How to Change Passwords

MySQL (this SQL tutorial is for Windows users)

Step 1

Click the Start button and click Run. Type the following:

C:Program FilesMySQLMySQL Server 5.0inmysqld

Replace the C with the drive letter where the program is stored. After typing the command, the MySQL command line will pop up.

Step 2

Type this in the command line:

mysqladmin -u <user> password new_password

Put your username in lieu of <user>. Type the new password.

Step 3

Press the Enter key. The password change will be reflected in the SQL server.

SQL Server

Step 1

Click the Start button and go to “All Programs”. Look for SQL Server” then “SQL Server Management Studio”. The SQL server console will open.

Step 2

Open a new window by clicking “New Query”. Type the following:

alter login <user> with password = ‘<new_password>’;

Replace <user> with the username that will be edited. Enter the new password.

Step 3

Press F5. The changes will now take effect.

How to Access the Run Command with Interactive SQL

Step 1

Click Start and go to “All Programs”. Look for “SQL Anywhere 9″. Choose “SQL Anywhere 9″ then “Adaptive Server Anywhere”. Click “Interactive SQL”.

Step 2

Click “File” and choose “Run Script”. Go through the SQL command file. Click “Open”.

Tip:

The SQL statement widow can be used to run commands. The command is:

READ c:xxxxxx.sql

Links to More tutorials

If you are looking for more info, the following SQL tutorial links may prove useful:

www.sql-tutorial.net/

www.sqltutorials.net/

www.tizag.com/sqlTutorial/

www.baycongroup.com/tocsql.htm

Using a search engine you will come across many more tutorials that will help you understand how to use the language.

Just remember to take your time. By going over the commands carefully, the various functions and commands will be easier to understand.

MySQL Tutorials...

MySQL is a relational database that provides webmasters with a program that allows for organized data receiving and retrieval without having to manually collect the data every time new information needs to be inputted.

This type of relational database program is best done in conjunction with .php scripting language. For those who have no inkling as to how these two work, there are MySQL Tutorials that you can find online where you will be taken through a step-by-step process to better understand how MySQL works and how to use this with .php scripting language.

What is PHP?

Before you start to draw-up your basic functions for your MySQL, you first need to understand what PHP is. Basically, PHP is an open source software that allows you to execute scripting language from your server.

You can find this online if you still don’t have it installed. This is free to download at http://php.net. This is the most recommended software for scripting language because it can run on various platforms like Windows and Linux, among others.

It likewise supports various database software products like MySQL and Oracle.

Getting Started

First, you need to make sure that your server supports PHP. If you’re not sure about this, you can simply ask your web host if they support PHP and MySQL. On the other hand, you can also install PHP and MySQL yourself.

Simply go to the link provided above for your .php software and then follow the instructions on how to properly install this. After which, find a website that provides free MySQL downloads. You can go directly to http://mysql.com and click on their download link.

MySQL Tutorials

Once you have properly installed the two software programs needed, you can now begin to draw-up your basic functions for your MySQL database. Check the link that gives you permission to manipulate MySQL.

From there, you should make your new database, and input your username and password. This gives you full administration control of the database. To follow a step-by-step process in creating your database, you can go to http://freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql/.

On this site, you will be taken on an 8-part tutorial to help you understand things you need to know about PHP and MySQL and setting-up your database.

Other websites that you can check out for your MySQL Tutorials are: http://tutorialspoint.com/mysql/ where you will be introduced to the whole database programming system, help you understand how to work with this using PHP, create and drop database, insert and select queries up to importing and exporting your database.

Finally, you can also visit http://w3schools.com/PHP/php_mysql_intro.asp.

SQL...

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a database computer language. It is a tool used for handling relational databases. In simple terms, the language is used for the manipulation of data.

General Information

This language can be utilized in both basic and complex database management. Its functions include basic inputting of data, deletion, reporting, manipulation of data and making complex queries. Computer users will be able to get and display information by typing the appropriate commands.

The language also aids programmers in placing commands into their programs that make it possible to retrieve data. Because SQL is a database administration language, it assists in the definition of database structures. It can also restrict access to the data.

Client/Server Language

As a client/server language, it permits computer software to interact with others on a network with various database servers. The language also becomes the means for retrieving corporate databases in a setting where web servers communicate with program servers.

Distributed Database Language

This means it can assist in the data distribution along numerous interconnected systems. Every computer system utilizes DBMS (Database Management Systems) programs to relay info to one another. This is used for posting requests for data.

In some networks, various types of DBMS are employed. In this case, the Structured Query Language frequently plays the role of a database gateway language. In other words, it helps one DBMS type to communicate with another.

Other Characteristics

Some of the major features of the language include portability along different computer systems and vendor independence. It also has interactive queries, multiple views of data, enterprise application support, client/server architecture and dynamic data definition. The language also has Java integration (JDBC), Internet database access and many more.

In spite of the name, the language is more than just a query tool. The language can be used for sharing data and verifying data integrity. A misconception is that it is a full computer language like C or C++. It isn’t; it is a database sub-language made up of 40 statements.

All these statements are made specifically for managing databases. It is possible to combine it with C, COBOL and other computer languages to extend the capability and its features.

Since its inception, SQL has turned into one of the most vital tools in the computer industry. Its ease of use has made it the standard for enterprise-class data management. For this reason, major technology companies have thrown their support behind it.

Learn MySQL...

Because of its prevalence in the business world, more and more people are looking for ways to learn MySQL. The software has many commands and features, so it will take time to master it. However, the following information will give you an idea of how the software works.

How to Use UPDATE in a MySQL Query

The UPDATE command is used to alter columns present in the database. This is useful for updating information.

Step 1

To add data, use the INSERT command. To make updates, there must be a row to alter. The row should have its own ID referring to it. Ensure each table ID is unique.

You can do this by using the INTEGER AUTO_INCREMENT column. If utilizing an ID field, the field won’t be in the INSERT command. The AUTO_INCREMENT attribute will be used.

For instance:

INSERT INTO customers name,ph_number,balance VALUES (“Jane Doe”,”555-5555″,0.0);

Note: when studying ways to learn MySQL, the names you enter should be changed to the ones that are appropriate for your case.

Step 2

The SELECT query can be used to locate data. The old balance must be retrieved to make an update to it. As you are just focusing on the ID number and balance, these are the only columns that have to be pulled. Example:

SELECT id,balance FROM customers WHERE name=’Jane Doe’ AND ph_number=”555-5555″;

Step 3

Do the UPDATE MySQL Query with the UPDATE command. The command actually looks a bit like SELECT and INSERT. The following assumes the ID and balance have been retrieved from the preceding query.

UPDATE customers SET balance=12.34 WHERE id=22;

Tips and Warnings

Take care not to commit errors with the WHERE clause. Used incorrectly you may end up updating other rows too. If you updated the present query rather than the preceding one, all customers named Jane Doe will have their balance updated. For instance:

UPDATE customers SET balance=12.34 WHERE name=”Jane Doe”;

Other Information

It is very practical to have different IDs for all the rows. It goes a long way towards making data retrieval easier especially with the SELECT query. The ID field from the earlier query ought to be saved. This will ensure the query being updated is the correct one.

It may take some time before you master the features of MySQL. But since there are many ways to learn MySQL, grasping the basic commands will be easy. From there, you will be able to move on to more complex features.

MySQLadmin...

The mysqladmin element you see in MySQL is a client used for a variety of administrative functions. It can be utilized to assess the server status and setup. It can also be used to drop or make databases. The following examples will show how to use mysqladmin.

Usage

You can call up mysqladmin this way:

shell> mysqladmin [options] command [command-arg] [command [command-arg]] …

Supported Commands

create db_name

This will make a new database called db_name or whatever name you assign to it.

debug

This instructs the server to generate debug information in the error log. Starting with MySQL 5.1.12, the command will provide info about Event Scheduler too.

drop db_name

This command will delete the database. All its tables will be deleted as well.

extended-status

This will show the server status variables. The values will be displayed as well.

flush-hosts

It is going to flush the info within the host cache.

flush-privileges

This is going to reload the grant tables. Other flush commands are flush-logs (flushes the logs), flush-status (removes the status variables), flush-tables and flush-threads (this will flush the cache).

kill id,id,…

This will kill the server threads. No spaces must be used on the list if several ID values are provided.

Password Commands

When you study how to use mysqladmin, two password related commands are worth looking into: old-password new-password and password new-password.

old-password new-password

This will keep the password employing the old password=hashing format.

password new-password

This will set the new password. It will alter the password into the new password. This is for the account you utilize with mysqladmin for joining the server. The next time you call up mysqladmin with this account, the new password will be required.

If the new password has spaces or characters special to the command interpreter, they must be set in quotation marks. Users of the Windows OS must utilize double quotation marks. The single quotation marks will be read as a component of the password.

Warning: avoid using this command if the server was commenced using the –skip-grant-tables option. The password change will not take effect. This will hold true even if the command is preceded using flush-privileges.

ping

This is used for checking the availability of the server. The status is 1 if the server is not running. If it is, the status is 0.

As you study how to use mysqladmin, make sure to evaluate the other commands. The more commands you know, the more you will be able to use this client.

MySQLdump...

Before you can learn how to use mysqldump, you must be aware of what it stands for. It is a command interface that users can employ for moving data. The following example shows you how to move a MySQL database to web hosting.

Step 1

Open a terminal program. Make sure the computer allows you to access the MySQL database at the command line.

Step 2

Enter the following command to make a backup of the database. Replace username, host and database with your own information.

mysqldump –opt -u username -p -h host database> dbdump.sql

Hit the Enter key. Provide the password if required. The time it takes to dump will vary depending on the database size. When it is done, the “dbdump.sql” file will be in the working folder.

Step 3

Make an empty database on the web hosted server. You will have to use the mysqladmin command here. You have the option of using the old database name or giving it a new one. Enter the following command:

mysqladmin -u username -p -h host create database

Just like when you learned how to use mysqldump, replace the username, host and database with the appropriate information. Hit the Enter key. Provide the password when it is required.

Step 4

Now you can create and populate the database. You can provide the “dbdump.sql” as the script for “mysql”. This action will result in the script creating the database. The data will be added. Type the following:

mysql -u username -p -h host database < dbdump.sql

Replace the username, host and database with the information on the database. Press the Enter key. The time it takes for the script to run its course will depend on the database. A large database will mean it will take several minutes. A smaller database will require less time.

When to Use the Command

The MySQL relational database is utilized in numerous Internet content management systems, blogs and picture galleries. It is also used in many applications.

The time may come when it becomes necessary to relocate the MySQL database. During these occasions, the instructions provided above will come in handy. Because it will automatically rebuild the database, the transition will become easier and less of a problem.

In other words, by learning how to use mysqldump, you can move the files on your website to another host with ease. Using the command is also recommended for those who want to alter some parts of their database.

Firebird...

The Firebird database system is open source and can run in a variety of operating systems, including Windows, UNIX, and Linux. The system origin is linked to Borland’s InterBase 2000. Beginning with Firebird 1.5, however, the system has been rewritten several times.

Features

As the system is always being updated, its features are always subject to change and revision. However, some of the key elements in the current versions include full support for stored procedures and triggers, implementation of cursors in PSQL and incremental backups.

Firebird also has plenty of access methods: they include Perl, PHP, Python module, JDBC native type 4 driver, OLEDB, ODBC, native/API and dbExpress drivers.

The Firebird database system also has rapid recovery. It also eliminates the need for transaction logs. The system also provides support for 3rd party utilities including replication and GUI administrative tools.

There is also support for External Functions (UDFs) and has very little footprint. Other features are full ACID compliant transactions, support for stored procedures and referential integrity.

What is Included in the System Kit

The kits have the binaries for the server command line utilities and the client library. The kit also has the release notes. The notes contain data concerning the release. Particularly important are the user documentation.

The point release notes are also included. These files are in PDF format and will require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. The Readme notes contain other vital information such as how scripts work and how to do client installs. The SQL reference documents pertain to the program implementation of the SQL.

Historical Background

The Firebird project started in August 2000 and was made at SourceForge. The initial release, Firebird 1.0, was made for Mac OS X, Linux and Windows in 2002.

It had ports into HP-UX, FreeBSD 4 and Solaris. Development on the codebase porting was in 2000. Firebird 1.4 came out in February 2004. It was the initial stable version of the codebase. Features of Firebird 1.5 include explicit clocking and SQL-92 conditional expressions.

The present stable version is 2.1.3. Among the features in the system are SQL:2003 MERGE statements support, recursive queries and procedural triggers. Firebird 2.5 is still being developed.

The Firebird database system is continuously being revised.

The latest version will have the ability to query remote databases, regular expression syntax and multithreading. Future versions will also have support for SQL window functions, C++ and Java. The final version of Beta 2 will come out at the end of 2010.

MySQL...

MySQL is a server application utilized for making queries in databases. The program lets you retrieve data and obtain reports. It is a branded version of the SQL language. The program is utilized in many web apps. It is typically used in conjunction with PHP and Apache.

How to Install MySQL in Windows

Step 1

Download the program. Make sure you choose the server that is fit for your requirements. Follow the prompts to complete the download.

Step 2

A dialog box will pop up. Click “run”. The Setup Wizard will now appear. Choose an installation type. Click “typical” if you want the default settings. Choose “custom” if you want to install it in a different folder. Review the info you entered on the “Ready to Install” page.

Step 3

After you click “install”, the installation process will commence. Click “Finish” when it is done. Remove the check from the “Configure the MySQL Server now” if you want to modify the settings at a later time. You can alter the settings later at the Programs menu.

How to Install MySQL in the Macintosh

Step 1

Download the program version for the Mac. Choose carefully, as there are many versions. Some of them are only in the beta stage. Click the one that matches well with your OS.

Step 2

Click the DMG file. The disk image will be at the desktop.

Step 3

Run the installation program. Depending on your network, the administrative username and password may be needed. Put the MySQL.prefPane file in the user library folder. It should be placed at the “Preference Panes”.

Step 4

Restart the computer.

Step 5

Open the program to adjust the preferences. Clicking “Start MySQL Server” will start the server. Join the server to the database management tools.

Tips and Warnings

It will be easier to understand MySQL if you have some knowledge of HTML, CSS and PHP. It will make the learning curve easier. Other aspects that you should get familiar with are the difference between server-side programming and client-side programming.

Some knowledge of client and server relationship is also an advantage. If you are new to it, having a web space to practice on will be helpful. Remember that quality database design takes a while to master.

Make sure the version you download is designed specifically for your operating system. Learning how to install MySQL is easy, but if the wrong version is installed, problems will crop up.