Forum Moderators: travelin cat
Currently I am taking CIW design classes and using Macromedia products for web design. In my CIW class they are going to use Microsoft Access as the database but that is not available for the Mac, so I would like to use a database program I can use at home on my Mac so I can practice interfacing a database with a webpage.
The 4D product lines offer a full range of products that can be used together to create a fully integrated, Web-enabled, cross-platform solution for your business.
I highly recommand it! I use it since years - all my databases from very small to quite large are built with 4D. Very easy, very fast, very scalable in conjunction with the WebSTAR web server! Supports Golive and Dreamweaver through plugins.
And it's fairly easy to learn the language even if you've not much skills in programming.
I looked into mysql real quick. I like the of idea of free since at this stage I am using it as a learning tool. However, being a longtime Mac user I am spoiled by gui interfaces. From my quick look at mysql, it appears I am going to need to use the terminal commands to use it.
For those that use mysql is that an accurate statement? If so what is the learning curve like and any suggested books that may help?
I found a GUI for dealing with MySQL on OS X. I don't have it on my machine at home and can't remember the name. I will add to this post tomorrow with the name of the app.
You might try reading through the "Access For Mac?" [webmasterworld.com] thread. It will have some additional information that you might find useful.
Also, one of the guys in here sticky mailed me a while back about a substituet for Access on a Mac. Unfortunately I seem to have accidentaly deleted the sticky, if you know who you are please post it here for this guy to look at.
Or, you could do a search for "mysql" on versiontracker.com and see what GUIs are available. But, even if you use the command line, the commands are simple and not that hard to learn--pretty much the standard SQL set. And, in my experience, the people on the email list will gladly help you if you get stuck (make sure you look for the answer elsewhere first, and tell them that you are a newbie...normal email list etiquette).
As for the documentation, that is also the best. mySQL's docs are available as a PDF, a text file, and an HTML file. Pretty much everything you will need is available...FREE! And, if you search google.com for what you are trying to do, you most likely will find the answer. I just love it.
You should really at least have a look at 4d before you decide ...
I did download the mysql and have installed it successfully. I am going to search for a gui administration interface for it though to simply the operation of mysql somewhat and am going to visit a local bookstore and find a decent reference manual. (I am old fashioned, I like to have a physical manual that I can feel and touch).
1) The information in the referenced article on the Apple site is out-dated.
With Mac OS X 10.2.x the mysql user (and several others as well) is preconfigured.
2) I'm using Complete MySQL from [serverlogistics.com...]
3) for adminstration : webmin or CocoaMySQL from [cocoamysql.sourceforge.net...]
I've missed out on contracts because I'm afraid to tackle database driven sites, but I've checked it out, off and on, over the years and it seems as if Blueworld is the most "mac centric." Plus I used to enjoy working in FM Pro- it made me feel like a programmer- a REAL geek.
M$ Access is just such a mediocre product. The Evil Empire bought a much better product (Foxbase Pro) (which was originally developed in my area, by people that I used to know) just so that they could let the product die and eliminate the competition. Foxbase was a much better and faster product than Access.
But, if Abcess is what they are going to promote, it should be available for the Mac.
The Rat from Redmond strikes again!
hehehe, works with 4D - doh! ... ;)
4D may be the cat's meow, but it's closed-source and doesn't have nearly the following (not saying it's better, but it's a lot easier to work with de facto tools).
It's also hella fast (I'd guess it spanks 4D). I use PHPMyAdmin and YourSQL (Gui app written in cocoa) to mess with my DB. Navicat looks good as well.
