The first paragraph doesn't so much tell what Base is as what it does.
I'd go for something along these lines:
Base is OpenOffice's front-end database application and the equivalent
of Microsoft Access in Office. It can interact with a wide variety of
formats and database systems, and allows users to input data (either
directly or through the use of forms), query databases, and even print
reports.
Drew Jensen wrote:
Ok - its always good to start from something isn't it.
Dan's current draft for "What is Base".
-------------------------------
Base uses the HSQLdb database engine to create and later update ODF
1.2 database frontend documents. One of these documents can contain
the complete database in which it is known as an embedded database.
Other frontend documents contain all the information needed by HSQLdb
to access a data source. These data sources can include a variety of
file types.
The Base application is used to work with ODF 1.2 Database Frontend
Documents. Base is not just a databse engine as is MySQL, PostgreSQL,
and Oracle 11g for example. Base includes additional functionality
allowing the user to create full data driven applications,
*
Defining the table structures used.
*
Building the UI with query definitions and forms.
*
Data browsing and filtering for ad-hoc analysis/editing functions.
HSQLdb is written in Java. For the beginner, it is best to install JRE
(Java Runtime Environment) to avoid possible problems and
frustrations. For those who understand what JDBC, ODBC, and SDBC
drivers are, JRE is only required when creating an embedded database
or using the JDBC driver to access an external database. (This is a
database which is not embedded.)
If you know what a flat database is, you can access this type of file
without needing. These databases can include email client address
books (Outlook, Thunderbird, and LADP for example).
-----------------------------
So - start from scratch or just make changes, either way.
Drew
---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected]
For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
