Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Was Re: Date will not format or sort when imported into calc (ods) - Databases vs Spreadsheets

On 09/12/2012 02:00 AM, JAMES MAJESKI wrote:
> My research has convinced me that I do not have neither the time nor the
> resources to set up and maintain a database. I might consider it if all of
> the data were received in the same layout, but the layout is as varied as
> are the sources. Since I am the only one that is using the data, a
> spreadsheet serves me best as I am able to freely add, delete, and modify
> the layout, format, calculations, etc. Something a for which a database has
> never been designed.
>
> If I had many collaborators to work on the project, perhaps a database may
> be of more use, but since I do not, I do not need the added headache of
> trying to setup and maintain an additional level of complexity.
>
> This is the conclusion I have drawn based upon the available documentation
> on the internet and conversations with people that have worked with their
> company's database. They all say it does not work until the processes are
> resolved to the point that they need not change. One person explained the
> problems that occurred when their processes did require a major
> modification. After weeks of attempting to make the required modifications,
> it was decided to set up another database. Then they went through months of
> consultation and headache to get the essential data transferred from the old
> database into the new one.
>
> A database is a good tool to keep track of large amounts of data and
> tracking processes, but unless it is a big company that has unchanging
> processes, a database may be more of a liability than a help. With my data
> constantly evolving, a database would need to be modified on a regular basis
> and I am unwilling to invest the extra time to do so. All my data fits on a
> spreadsheet and is easily modified as the sources are added or deleted as
> each source has a different idea as to how the data should be presented.
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: 
> http://nabble.documentfoundation.org/Date-will-not-format-or-sort-when-imported-into-calc-ods-tp4004907p4006921.html
> Sent from the Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
Databases are very useful even for small projects because of the
querying capabilities of a database. Base and Access (MSO) are both
relational databases meaning that the data tables are related and
queries can search for data in any table. Relational databases require
that the tables be predefined and this can be a problem for data entry
when the data is not received in the same format as the data tables.

Another option for a database is a NoSQL database such as MongoDB or
CouchDB (both are FOSS projects) where the database "tables" do not
require a predefined layout and what may take multiple linked tables in
a relational database can be done in one "table". For example a book in
a relational database may have multiple authors, formats (different ISBN
numbers), and subjects. In a relational database you would have a table
for the book (title, year, publisher), another for authors, another for
ISBN numbers, and another for subjects. In a NoSQL database one could
combine this information into one "table". The data can be searched.

Another problem is that often the MSO bundle does not include Access so
a user who needs a database is either forced to find one or use Excel as
a substitute.

-- 
Jay Lozier
jslozier@gmail.com


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