Re: [libreoffice-users] database or spreadsheet

Hello everybody – and especially Dan Lewis.
I happened to read this thread about a database vs. spreadsheet. First 
of all I will thank Dan for him mentioning the “Getting Started 
Guide/Getting Started with Base/chapter 8"! I cannot understand how I 
could have missed it when I for some time have been looking for info 
about Base (LibreO & OOo).
It is an excellent briefing into how to build up a database using Base.

I think that you LibreO-guys should take a look at the layout where and 
how you introduce Base, how to get the “Getting started with Base” more 
visible – sort of nearer  her/him who (like me) is looking for a really 
handy database tool.
A week ago I asked your community “how get LibreO-Base working”. That is 
now OK (I found the JRE-file ”jxpiinstall.exe” and installed it before 
installing LO). Your Andreas then said that LO-Base is a front-end 
application, not a database. I’m not arguing but for an ordinary 
database consumer like me the front-end and the background database 
engine together mean one total database.
After reading Dan’s “Chapter 8” I realized that LO-Base is The solution 
when a database of medium size/complexity is needed, either using the 
embedded HSQLDB or connecting to an external “real” database engine 
(e.g. MySQL or SQLite). Very much like MSAccess but free – no costs.
After working some 10 years ago quite a lot with MSAccess I am a great 
fan of databases. Whenever I can I recommend to people not to limit to 
spreadsheets but build relational databases especially for their 
organizations but also at home.
One of the great benefits compared with a spreadsheet is that you write 
input data only once thus minimizing both writing and writing errors - 
and then using the same data multiple times in different kind of 
reports. Another is that when a nspreadsheet is flat a (relational) 
database can handle data multi-dimensional which gives you the 
possibility to mix/combine data and get the most interesting analyzing 
results.
All the best
Pertti Rönnberg



On 7.2.2012 14:24, 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.


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