Re: [libreoffice-users] Help regarding LibOfficeBase/Firebird

Hi Pertti,

> I have some old database-projects that I (very nicely) have built on
> MSAccess2003 and want now to rebuild them onto LO-Base.
> One of them has three tables (a main form and two subforms with about a
> hundred records by 15-25 cols each) that I now have successfully
> ‘transformed’ via MSExcel to LO-Calc files.
> My goal now is to get these 400 records to three LOBase tables with a
> maximum of ease (the new registered database has been created – but no
> tables yet!).

You don't need to register a database if you want to use the database
standalone, for example without using form-letters.
> Now some questions to a LO-Base expert out there somewhere (I think the
> answers can be of interest to other LOBase-dummies like me!)
> 1 >>I have noticed that the embedded engine HSQLDB has been replaced
> with Firebird
>     >>can I still work with LOBase as a frontend the same way as before?

There is no problem to create a new database as internal HSQLDB or
internal Firebird database. HSQLDB will be replaced in the future, but
there is a migration wizard that should do most of work here.

I would start with a Firebird database at this moment, because a
Firebird database will be the standard in future, offers some
interisting functions and doesn't need so much memory than a
HSQLDB-database.
> If not, why not?
>     >>which are the main differences to be considered (e.g. regarding
> form- and report properties like with list-/comboboxes, reports etc)

Forms and reports will work the same way with both engines. I have just
migrated an example-database for the Base-Handbook. Works the same way,
but I had to change some queries before converting, because HSQLDB uses
some functions with different labels. For example: Firebird can't use
IFNULL, but HSQLDB and Firebird both work with COALESCE, which will work
the same way.
>                 with Firebird vs HSQLDB
>     >>where can I find fresh instructions (or tutorial) for LOBase (and
> if available for LOBase/Firebird)

I have written a Base-Handbook in German. At this moment it will be
translated into English.
The German developement-version for LO 6.2 you could find here:
http://robert.familiegrosskopf.de/index.php
Older translations in English I have uploaded here:
http://robert.familiegrosskopf.de/lo_hb_en/
but the translation for each chapter hasn't been finished ...

> 2 >>as said the MSAccess table’s data are now saved as LOCalc-files.
> I have learned how to export a LOBase table to a LOCalc file
> (registered) – but I can not find how to do the reverse:
>     >>how do I import a LOCalc file’s data to a (registered) LOBase
> table, or in other words, get the data (with or not it’s structures)
> from a LOCalc file into                 a LOBase table?

You could copy the content of one table and paste it in Base. The
table-wizard will help you to get a table with the content. Note: Tables
must have a primary-key. If you have 3 tables, which have been
connected, you will have a primary-key. It is a little bit hidden in the
wizard where to mark the field for the primary-key. The screenshots in
the Handbook will help here.

> 3 >>        (Brian please, once more) what is the formula to calculate
> (now in a LOBase/Firebird form or query) a person's age out of her birth
> date?

DATEDIFF('year', "birthdate", CURRENT_DATE)
will be the version for HSQLDB.
DATEDIFF(year, "birthdate", CURRENT_DATE)
will be the version for Firebird.
But note: This isn't the right age for every person. Will be only right
at the last day of December. So the code must be changed. This is also
written down in the Handbook, chapter 8 (Tasks).

Regards

Robert
-- 
Homepage: http://robert.familiegrosskopf.de
LibreOffice Community: http://robert.familiegrosskopf.de/map_3


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