Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Connection to SQL database

Tom,

Let me clarify what I need to do.  I need the raw data to move to a new 
relational database.  I'm not planning on having them work directly on 
spreadsheets.  The data will go into Salesforce, but I don't know how to 
get the raw SQL data into Salesforce with the changes I need to make to 
it before the move without exporting it.

I may have confused the discussion but not explaining my exact needs, 
but that's because I (wrongly) tend to think I can do almost everything, 
and only ask for help for specific issues I think I'm facing.  There may 
well be other ways to do this, but I was focused on what I thought was 
the only way.

So...what I need is to remove the data from the current database 
(apparently what I have is the best we can get), manipulate it so that 
certain fields meet the requirements of the new database, then move it 
into the new database.  The only way I am aware of to get the data into 
the new (Salesforce) database is in CSV files.  Field mapping is done 
via the first "row" of data (I need the field names), and I also need to 
figure out what fields contain what data for the mapping process.

My goal was to use Base as a tool to extract the data, or perhaps even 
accomplish the manipulations I need to do in prep for the move to 
Salesforce.  I thought I might be able to open or link to the data file 
I have through Base and export it.  That's because I haven't really 
understood how to use SQL.  I then realized I'd probably first need to 
open or host the SQL data through MySQL or another variant of that.  
Trouble is, I don't know how to do that. Alex gave some specific 
suggestions which I will try today.

Honestly, though, I don't understand what MySQL does.  Does it "open" 
the data file, interpret the commands in it, and then allow the user to 
manipulate and/or display the data correctly (with the correct 
relational links)?  And is that the only - or best - way to access the 
data with Base?  Can I just use MySQL to generate CSV files (or some 
other format that Calc can open) for each of the tables in the file?  At 
this point, I'm not yet sure I have MySQL running properly, because it 
ain't like any packaged software I've used in the past (and it's been a 
LONG time since I've done and command-line work - like since the mid to 
late 1980s).  Or maybe there's an option I haven't thought of to 
manipulate and move the data into Salesforce.

At this point I'm all ears.  If I need MySQL for this, can someone 
either point out a forum where I could get help with it or offer to 
coach me (off list if need be) through the process of opening the data 
and extracting it or connecting to Base?

OK, thanks, and sorry for the tome.

Carl


On 1/16/14 5:41 AM, Tom Davies wrote:
> Hi :)
> Hmmm, actually i've only just realised that a 2nd grab from the
> 'proprietary' back-end data-tables might not be such a nightmare.
> Just keep a copy of the current export as it is so that the new grab
> can be compared against it.  Any differences could then be added to
> the data-tables held fairly locally.  Hopefully it's unlikely that
> different updates would happen to a single old field both here and
> there!
>
> Anyway, i guess my main question is could Base be used as the
> front-end for data tables (the back-end) that is online?
> Regards from
> Tom :)
>
>
>
> On 16 January 2014 10:32, Tom Davies <tomcecf@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi :)
> > Thanks :)  I guess that is part of my question.  The original back-end
> > of the database in this case is MySql/MariaDb.  Base can normally use
> > MySql/MariaDb as it's own back-end so there would seem to be 2
> > different routes that might be worth considering;
> >
> > 1.  Attach Base directly to the existing MySql/MariaDb that is hosted
> > on some web-site (or at least on an internet-facing server such as a
> > Cloud).  I know the back-end can either be on a local machine or on a
> > local-area-network but could it work over the internet too?
> >
> > 2.  Since the exported data is already laid out for MySql/MariaDb then
> > just install MySql or MariaDb locally (onto the same desktop machine
> > that is using Base) or onto a LAN file-share so that all machines can
> > use Base (or other front-ends) to access the data.  This seems to be
> > the route Alex is suggesting except he goes further and suggests using
> > a fairly local machine that already has MySql installed and just
> > adding the exports as a new file on that machine.
> >
> >
> > Carl, the o.p., seems to be thinking about the 3rd route and walking
> > headlong into the type of troubles Jay just outlined.  As i see it the
> > problem with the 2nd or 3rd routes is that exporting data gives static
> > data.  As time goes on the original database gets updated with new
> > data.  So maybe at some point a new export might need to be grabbed
> > and then somehow figure out a way to merge the updated data at this
> > end with the updated data from over there.  New records/rows are
> > tricky enough but tracking changes in fields/columns in individual
> > ancient records would be a complete nightmare.  If it's a case of a
> > single snapshot to rescue data from a sinking Cloud then none of that
> > is a worry and the single export routes are perfect
> >
> > So it's really route 1 that i'm curious about and really in a yes/no
> > way rather than in any detail.  Carl doesn't seem to be thinking along
> > those lines so this is a bit of a tangent that will probably crop up
> > again in a future thread and be more relevant then.
> >
> > Regards from
> > Tom :)

--

Carl Paulsen

Dover, NH 03820


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