Thread: Doubts

Hi

I just starting to get involved on the open source environment, my name is
juan and really interested on learning about Postgre SQL.

Accordding what I have read, PostgreSQL is based on two main function or
capabilities:

1.- Server Side, which main functions are Database Creating and Managing, as
well as Maintenance and Troubleshooting.

2.-Client Side, which main functions are Database Query, and remote data
Handling.

I am trying to install PostgreSQL on my computer, however it seems i require
Unix System intalled on it before creating any table on PostgreSQL. Actually
i have MS-DOS sistem on my computer so i will have to install Linux. My
question is, can i install Mandrake 10.1 on my computer before installing
PostgreSQL?, is that enough?. I think once Linux gets installed the whole
syste will work on Unix Operating System then i would be able to install
PostgreSQL, right?,or do i have to install a more powerfull Linux version in
order to start creating the Database.

On the other hand, i downloaded "postgresql-8.0.3.zip" from postgreSQL page,
is this the package the one i must install to initiate creating my database?

Thanks for your answers.
Kind Regards

> From: "JUAN ERNESTO FLORES BELTRAN"
> Date: 2005/09/05 Mon PM 02:51:50 EDT
...
> I am trying to install PostgreSQL on my computer, however it seems i require
> Unix System intalled on it before creating any table on PostgreSQL. Actually
> i have MS-DOS sistem on my computer so i will have to install Linux. My
> question is, can i install Mandrake 10.1 on my computer before installing
> PostgreSQL?, is that enough?. I think once Linux gets installed the whole
> syste will work on Unix Operating System then i would be able to install
> PostgreSQL, right?,or do i have to install a more powerfull Linux version in
> order to start creating the Database.

PostgreSQL can be run on several different operating
systems.  A good place to start is by reading over the
FAQ at the postgresql website - http://www.postgresql.org/docs/faq/.

This particular mailing list talks about running PostgreSQL
using Cygwin which is Linux like environment for Win9x, WinNT, etc.

Mandrake 10.1 (which is now Mandriva Linux 10.1) will have
no problem running PostgreSQL.  Mandriva actually comes
with PostgreSQL as an installable package so you don't have
to download anything unless you want the most recently
released version.

The real question is, "Can your computer handle Mandriva?".
Mandriva takes a decent amount of horsepower to run.
If you are running MS-DOS it must be an older computer.
Depending on the capabilities of your computer you may be
forced to go with an older version of Linux or a Windows
based operating system.

> On the other hand, i downloaded "postgresql-8.0.3.zip" from postgreSQL page,
> is this the package the one i must install to initiate creating my database?

Honestly, I don't know what you have downloaded here.  With
the .zip extension I would guess that it is meant for a
Windows environment.  If you are going to go with Mandriva,
I would start with what is delivered and work up as you
learn more.  If you are headed for Windows the easiest way
to get up and running would be to download the package from
Cygwin.

Bill