Posted by Jerry Stuckle on 06/05/05 22:49

Gary L. Burnore wrote:
>
> I'm aware of many good database independent apps. Sorry you've not
> had the same experience. Having an app that works well in Oracle,
> Informix, MS SQL and Mysql isn't really all that hard to do.
>

Gary,

I have more than 25 years of relational DB experience, including 13
years with IBM. It covers everything from PC' with 20KB databases to
mainframes with database sizes in the 100's of terabytes. And I agree
with Mladen - I have never seen a *good* database independent application.

I've also seen many "database independent" applications. But if they
truly are completely database independent, then they can't take
advantage of the power of the particular database they are using. They
must code to the "least common denominator", which means they must use
only those features available in all database.

For instance - standard SQL like INSERT and UPDATE work fine - maybe.
But you can't use triggers or stored procedures - not all databases
support them. You can't mix CHAR and VARCHAR fields in the same tables
- because not all databases accept them. There are a lot of things you
can't use.

Even the applications I've seen which are "database independent"
generally aren't. Most have some database-specific functions. The best
I've seen are probably in C++ and Java - which can encapsulate the DB
API, making the rest of the program database independent.

--
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Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attglobal.net
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