I did a search on database / databases and looked through more than 10 pages of threads but I didn't see anything that fit so here goes. Moderators please place this where you think best.

I noticed that Mysql and Postgresql are mentioned a lot for database use on Linux systems.
My understanding is that they are for servers only. Is this correct?

I am interested in using Linux on a desktop machine and I want a (perferably relational) database that I can use - much like I used to use paradox or dbase on a windows machine (I never learned Access - don't like the way Microsoft thinks ). I wouldn't mind paying for one but I couldn't afford the hefty fees for a professional database like db2 or oracle.

Can anyone recommend a database for personal use on a PC using Linux? It has to be stable (don't want to lose stuff) and preferably use SQL.

I don't have Linux on my machine yet but I plan to use Mandrake 8.2 when it comes out and dual boot with Windows ME.

Thanks

just run mysql. it is a server/daemon, but you can use it to create databases and what have you.

start up the daemon (assuming it's installed), then enter the mysql monitor by typing "mysql -u root -p", enter your password, and then you're ready to start.

refer to www.mysql.com for references and documentation. obviously it's gonna be a lot more involved than that. :-)

StarOffice Adabas database is a replacement for MS Acces in both linux and windows worlds

Syncrm:

You mention running mysql. I guess my point was that I thought I would have to install Mysql on a server but I am not on a server - I am just using Linux on a personal PC.

My understanding is that The MySQL Database Software is a client/server system (quote from the www.mysql.com page).

Can you install Mysql on your personal PC? Can a server/daemon point at your personal PC?

Thanks for your thoughts.


neo77777:

Thanks.

I think Staroffice comes with Mandrake so I would be all set. I wonder if I could use Perl with that? Have you used any other non-server databases you could recommend?

I'll talk about PostgreSQL, because everyone else talked about MySQL. They're the main dbses for Linux, and they're both very of a very high standard.

PostgreSQL is alleged to be a more scalable version of MySQL, and some e-commercy-e-learning type people mentioned the other day that they had had problems with MySQL with queries on big tables. Never really streched either application myself though.

Personally, I found MySQL more difficult to set up. All of these systems run on a very similar db architecture, with a front and back end over port connections. Those ports could be administered by a server on the Internet or by the local machine. So yes, you can run daemons, servers, dbses on a local machine, back and front end. But it's a lot easier on a Unix or Linux machine.

Try both dbses! Run both! At the same time! Linux is good like that.


Bert

yes, it is server/client, but i don't really think yuo appreciate what a server is really. you've already got a number of servers running on your system, like the X font server, and indeed X itself are server client systems. Just because you don't have a IBM s/390 doesn't mean you haven't got a server.... it's quite normal to run the server on yourown desktop, i do.

Bert and acid_kewpie:

Thanks for the clarification on servers & daemons.

I guess I am used to thinking of a server as a separate box (usually running Unix) which I query from a client box (personal PC).

It's sound like I will be able to use Mysql or PostgreSQL. Cool!
I look forward to learning how to use them.

I'm an old main frame dinosaur (Cobol - DB2, etc.) but I make my living coding SAS on main frames, Windows NT servers, Windows PC's and various flavors of Unix (Sun Solaris, AIX). Right now I am using SAS to write static and dynamic web pages on NT servers. They have added a version of SAS for Linux but the last I heard it was pretty expensive.

Thanks again

You can download Oracle for free as long as you
don't use it for commercial purpose.