Re: [libreoffice-users] database or spreadsheet

      Or maybe the failure is the refusal to understand the purpose for
each part of a database. Tables and forms are for adding, modifying, and
deleting data. Queries and reports are for data output. If you want to
enter data, you use a table or form. If you want to manipulate data, you
use queries. (With Report Builder, you can also manipulate data in a
report.)
     In Calc spreadsheets, we give columns names; in Base tables, our
column names are called field names. In Calc spreadsheets, we have rows
of data; in Base tables, we call the rows of data, records. In Calc
spreadsheets, we format our columns; in Base tables, we select a field
type and field properties to format our fields (columns). 
     The output of a query is a table: combination of rows and columns.
In this is much like a section of rows and columns of a spreadsheet
whose cells contained manipulated data.
     Calc formulas are based upon Algebra; so are the formulas that SQL
uses.
     I can clearly identify why most people don't use databases: they
don't think they can. Perhaps it is also fear of the unknown. Perhaps
they don't want to learn something new: "You can't teach an old dog new
tricks." And perhaps the biggest reason of all: the specialized language
that is used by many people who write about databases. Tuples and
Records are used instead of rows is one example. Columns are called
Attributes.
     I wonder how many people who use LO have read chapter 8 of the
Getting Started Gude, "Getting Started with Base"? I know that I have
very seldom seen a comment about its contents. (I wrote it and am
presently updating it. I'm also working on the Base Guide in its
entirety.)

Dan

On Mon, 2012-02-06 at 12:24 -0500, Paul D. Mirowsky wrote:
> Everybody knows how write simple math statement as a formula.  Everybody 
> doesn't know how to right an SQL statement.
>
> The largest failure to using database vs. spreadsheet is the refusal to 
> allow tables to set up formulas in databases as they are in spreadsheets.
>
> A formula interpreter would quickly resolve inherent coding fear of 
> database.
>
> Reason for not doing this. I don't know.
>
>
>
> On 2/6/2012 10:37 AM, e-letter wrote:
> > Readers,
> >
> > There was an interesting discussion which seemed to be about using
> > accounting principles/conventions with computer software.
> >
> > Clearly the original poster forgot to dispense with traditional
> > thought processes and think critically about how new tools (first the
> > computer, then more specifically open source software) offers the
> > opportunity to develop new methods for solving problems.
> >
> > We read the all-too-common scenario: an m$ fan wanting to use LO as an
> > m$ clone without learning anything new or assessing whether there is a
> > better way of doing things. As always, such people want open source
> > software users to help them for free. Please reconsider and revert to
> > using m$; the fact that the problem was solved using m$ proves this
> > option.
> >
> > m$ users, please take the time to do your homework, research the
> > alternatives before asking for open source software to adopt the same
> > behaviour, mentality and sometimes inefficient process to performing
> > tasks as m$.
> >
> > The example of organising identical data types into multiple
> > spreadsheets is so common, primarily because the average "office"
> > personnel is not introduced (nor willing to accept) to the power of
> > databases.
> >
> > Realistically, we cannot expect someone due to retire soon to suddenly
> > change, but the next generation should be encouraged to be open minded
> > to using new ideas.
> >
> > By the way, thank you for the hyperlink to the data pilot functions,
> > but should this type of functionality be performed by learning how to
> > use relational database queries?




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