Re: [libreoffice-users] database or spreadsheet

On 02/07/2012 07:24 AM, e-letter wrote:
> On 06/02/2012, Dan Lewis<elderdanlewis@gmail.com>  wrote:
> >        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.)
> Shouldn't we as users contribute to encouraging other users to always
> think: what is the most appropriate use for the job? How many
> questions posted are the result of making a mistake to use a
> spreadsheet when a database is more appropriate?
>
> >       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.)
> Somebody mentioned tutorials about open office base; very good
> information. Maybe the authors responsible for calc should add more
> conceptual advice about whether certain tasks are best performed in
> base, not calc.
The problem is not the obvious database type applications but the 
smaller ones that are better in a database for technical reasons but are 
easier for most to set up in a spreadsheet. If one understands how 
database queries work and that they allow data to be selected to that is 
needed often a database is more flexible.

Most people are scared off by having to develop queries, particularly if 
they must use SQL. It is too much like programming to them and that 
tends to scare them; seemingly arcane rules and syntax that does not 
appear very flexible or easy to use.

I do not know if any guide will do any good most will probably use a 
spreadsheet or even worse a text table when even a simple database will 
be better suited to the problem.

Two related issues are a problem: spreadsheets are relatively easy to 
set up and enter data with some inflexibility while databases harder to 
set up and without the right front end tools some tricky to properly 
enter data but are much more flexible.

I have used both as databases and much prefer the flexibility of true 
databases.

--
Jay Lozier
jslozier@gmail.com


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