[PJ G4]

What are some good database software available for OS X 10.2. I have heard about File Maker Pro and Microsoft Access. How do they compare and are there others. Thanks

[hyperizer]

I prefer FileMaker to Access. Access isn't available for the Mac, so it's sort of a moot point.

You might also try MySQL. There's a really straight-forward installer now, but you still have to use the command line or a front-end like phpMyAdmin.

[Angus_D]

See also 4D.

[Sarc]

I prefer access' way to manage tables, the views it offers are well done IMHO.
then again I don't know how to use filemaker very well ... YMMV

[bergy]

FileMaker Pro is the big daddy of course. But it depends on how complicated your needs are and how much you want to spend. I have found that the Appleworks Database is an excellent and of course free program.

[Diggory Laycock]

Use MySQL - it's free!

there are some nice GUI tools like YourSQL and Cocoa MySQL.

you might also want to look at PHP.

Since when was AppleWorks free?

[bergy]

Originally posted by Diggory Laycock:
Use MySQL - it's free!

there are some nice GUI tools like YourSQL and Cocoa MySQL.

you might also want to look at PHP.

Since when was AppleWorks free?

It's been bundled on every Mac I ever bought.

[vsurfer]

Originally posted by Sarc:
I prefer access' way to manage tables, the views it offers are well done IMHO.
then again I don't know how to use filemaker very well ... YMMV

Get a bit further into Filemaker and you will find it amazingly flexible and customizable, and scriptable. It's used by everyone from individuals to large companies, for a multitude of purposes. You can even set up databases that can be shared on the web in a really short amount of time, if you should want that too.

4D is also a great database program -- I've only done a little work in it -- but I liked what I saw.

[RGB]

Originally posted by bergy:
It's been bundled on every Mac I ever bought.

It's bundled on iMacs, eMacs, and iBooks. But not on PowerBooks or PowerMacs.

[Angus_D]

Originally posted by vsurfer:
Get a bit further into Filemaker and you will find it amazingly flexible and customizable, and scriptable.

Up to a point. It's nowhere near as flexible/powerful as 4D/Access.

[Sarc]

Originally posted by Angus_D:
Up to a point. It's nowhere near as flexible/powerful as 4D/Access.

what about MySQL ?

[larkost]

The real question is what are you looking at doing. If this is a non-programmer making a quick database, for a small company for instance. Then I would strongly recommend FileMaker Pro. It is easy to make up a quick database, and is very forgiving for a new user. It is also very cross-platform (Mac/Win + serving from Linux). My company has quite a number of small FMP databases that were built by non-technical people and work quite well. Sometimes I feel a bit traped myself with some of the limitations on FileMaker, but you can get quite creative (think AppleScript).

If you are creating something larger, with multiple interfaces, or for the web, and are a programmer then I would recommend a multi-tiered approach such as a combination of MySQL/PostreSQL and WebObjects/Java/PHP.ect... This allows for a lot more flexibility, and automation.

I have also worked some with Access, and didn't like the experience. You can do a lot of things in Access... it lies somewhere in between the other two options I have given, but it is a typical Microsoft Project and breaks very easily. You can get things done, but it is never in quite the right way. Also, it completely ties you to Windows.

My guess is that you will fall into the first category, and I wish you much fun with FileMaker Pro!

[Jowy]

I was just wondering, is MySQL's file type cross compatible between Mac and PC?

[Angus_D]

Originally posted by larkost:
I have also worked some with Access, and didn't like the experience. You can do a lot of things in Access... it lies somewhere in between the other two options I have given, but it is a typical Microsoft Project and breaks very easily. You can get things done, but it is never in quite the right way. Also, it completely ties you to Windows.

I mentioned 4th Dimension above, it's like Access only less frustrating and (*shock horror*) cross platform. It's also cheaper than FileMaker, I think.

[Arkham_c]

Originally posted by Jowy:
I was just wondering, is MySQL's file type cross compatible between Mac and PC?

Well, yes. MySQL can do a "database dump" which produces the database as text files. These files can then be imported on any platform running MySQL.

MySQL (and other "real" RDBMS systems like Postgresql, Oracle, and Sybase) don't work like Access and Filemaker. They are client-server apps, where the database server is a standalone tool and you use something like PHP or Java to write a client application.

If you're not a programmer and don't have access to one, a RDBMS system is a bad idea, and you should look at something like FileMaker Pro. However, for high-end or high-performance applications, you need to use a real RDBMS.

[Jowy]

Originally posted by Arkham_c:
Well, yes. MySQL can do a "database dump" which produces the database as text files. These files can then be imported on any platform running MySQL.

MySQL (and other "real" RDBMS systems like Postgresql, Oracle, and Sybase) don't work like Access and Filemaker. They are client-server apps, where the database server is a standalone tool and you use something like PHP or Java to write a client application.

If you're not a programmer and don't have access to one, a RDBMS system is a bad idea, and you should look at something like FileMaker Pro. However, for high-end or high-performance applications, you need to use a real RDBMS.

Ah I see. Thanks for that info. I was just wondering because for my class we're learning SQL and I have to do a DBMS as a project for it, and was thinking of using MySQL but was concerned about porting the file over to my professor's PC. I'll have to think about that some more then.