msaccess alternative

MS Access is a relational database program. Filemaker is it's traditional Mac counterpart. If you want to make personal databases that doesn't need to scale up to enterprise requirements, you'll be fine with Filemaker.

As to your other queries, try the following on google;

What is PHP?
What is SQL?
What is Perl?

It would be better if you can give us some more information in what kind of database you intend to make so others can give you better information which might suit your purpose.

Of course for enterprise purposes, I would always use SQL. Access and Filemaker will not cut our requirements for robustness and scalability. I would use PHP to generate dynamic content and PERL to handle some back-end (server side) functions.

Good Luck.

 

4th Dimension is one alternative.
A lot of samples in their site. Theres even a tutorial if you want to learn programming in 4D.

www.4d.com

 

If you do not need to share info in a network and have relatively simple needs, take a look at Panorama V. It is said to be easy to use and powerful enough for novices.

Panorama V is free to download, and you can use it free forever for up to 250 records. Otherwise, it costs $300--cheaper than all other alternatives. Try it, it may be all that you need.

[Edited on 4-5-2005 by maitani]

 

if you're a programmer, or wish to do primarily development work, you can look at 4D or MySQL + PHP.

If you're running a business or organization, and want to organize your information with minimal programming, you can look at FileMaker.

When you download a trial verison FileMaker (www.filemaker.com) it comes with a tutorial and sample applications you can customize.

 

I'm looking for help on FilemakerPro7 and I was wondering if there's somebody here who's familiar with it.

I'm currently modifying the downloadable business_tracker.fp7 template to suit my needs and I don't know how to produce an output form document to add to the ones already included in the file (packing list, invoice, catalog, etc.).

Please U2U. Thanks.

 

I think the closest thing to msaccess is 4D, it's a relational database that use scripts to control the flow of data. It's actually free for students.

Learning SQL is very important if you want to pursue a career in developing database applications for SMEs or even enterprise. It is also used in web database applications.

Filemaker Pro is usually used for home business or personal database applications.

I like to form a group to develop applications for SMEs using a Mac. I wonder if anyone is interested. I am also just starting to learn and hopefully develop a full business application. U2U if interested.

 

MySQL and PostgeSQL are open-source databases, but they usually don't come with a GUI. PHP and Perl are progamming languages that can build programs that can access the database. I prefer PHP myself for Web development.

For an Access replacement, your only option is Filemaker, only it can match the GUI tools that come with MS Access.

macuser101: You want to form an IT outsourcing company that specializes in custom built Mac programs?

 

jino, I am still contemplating on forming an IT outsourcing company. Have to research the demand (local/foreign) and the capability of local talents. I prefer to go Mac base from start to finish.

 

Here are some resources for you:

PHP -> http://php.net
Perl -> http://perl.com
PostgreSQL -> http://postgresql.org
mySQL -> http://mysql.com

PHP = good for dynamically generated web pages. A great example of PHP is this board itself!

Perl = for dynamically generated web pages, admin tools, etc. I've used Perl for writing billing programs, generating web pages and a ton of other things. Its also known as "the duct tape" of the internet.

PostgreSQL = a very good Open Source RDBMS. It also has a very active developer community. I've used this for quite a few projects, one of the first ones was something I wrote for i-manila a long time ago.

mySQL = probably your best bet, if you intend on hosting this locally on your Mac. It has Mac OS X installers! Not as SQL compliant as PostgreSQL, but its pretty darn close, and it has an active developer community as well so that may not even be a limitation soon.

If you are planning on developing software that you can distribute to your friends, or even commercially, you will want a standalone database type software. One that does not need a server type of installation. FileMaker Pro falls into this category. There are a lot of good suggestions along this thread, but this still begs the question: What do you want to use it for?

H

 

PostgreSQL has Mac installers as well, packaged by Marc Liyanage at his site: http://www.entropy.ch/software/macosx/

[Edited on 6-27-2005 by jino]

 

Oh cool! I didn't know that existed. Then again, I haven't really checked in on PostgreSQL since about 1999. I guess it is time to take another look at it.

H