Thread: Front end?

Front end?

From
Afton & Ray Still
Date:
Hello;
  I have spent a little time on PgAdmin III. I can see I'm playing with a
lot of power. Now I need to figure out how to use the database. Is what I'm
looking for the front end? (sorry haven't done much with data bases since
paradox 3.) I'm looking for a front end(?) that is relativly easy, (I don't
mind programing if necessary) cheap or preferably free, and has fairly good
abilities for formated output. I would also like to be able to create a
standalone application if possible.

Any hints or especially tutorials would be greatly appreciated
Thanks,
Ray


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Re: Front end?

From
John DeSoi
Date:
Ray,

On Dec 18, 2004, at 7:04 PM, Afton & Ray Still wrote:

> Hello;
>  I have spent a little time on PgAdmin III. I can see I'm playing with
> a lot of power. Now I need to figure out how to use the database. Is
> what I'm looking for the front end? (sorry haven't done much with data
> bases since paradox 3.) I'm looking for a front end(?) that is
> relativly easy, (I don't mind programing if necessary) cheap or
> preferably free, and has fairly good abilities for formated output. I
> would also like to be able to create a standalone application if
> possible.
>

pgAdmin III is a generic front end for using PostgreSQL. It does not
have facilities for building interfaces or applications. PostgreSQL is
just a data server -- there are no interfaces building tools like you
might have had with paradox.

It sounds like what you might be looking for is a development tool for
building a custom PostgreSQL interface? If you are looking for
something simple with interface building tools, maybe RealBasic
(http://realbasic.com/) or Revolution (http://www.runrev.com/).

If by "standalone" application you mean something where the database
and application are integrated, you are probably using the wrong
database. PostgreSQL is a server type database and will be difficult to
embed in an application compared to something like SQLite.

You can likely get some better suggestions if you provide more details
on what you are trying to do.


Best,

John DeSoi, Ph.D.
http://pgedit.com/
Power Tools for PostgreSQL


Re: Front end?

From
John DeSoi
Date:
On Dec 18, 2004, at 11:52 PM, Afton & Ray Still wrote:

>
> I admit I'm not real clear on terminolgy.
> As I understand it, front end means what the user sees and uses to
> input data and get information. The backend is what does the work and
> takes care of the details. Is this correct?

Yes, close enough.

>
> So far, I haven't been able to figure out how to enter data into the
> data base using PgAdmin. So what I'm looking for is a way to enter
> data and get fairly good looking (well formated) reports.
>
> If I can get all of this I'll be happy, but idealy I'd also like to be
> able to create an aplication that I can give to a co-worker who is
> only semi-computer literate. It doesn't really matter if it's all self
> contained, as long as it's all transperent to the end user.
>
> I'm also playing with a very limited development budget.

Assuming you have tables in your database, you can right click on the
table icon and select "View Data" from the menu. This will give you a
spreadsheet-like interface to add or modify data. I'm not aware of any
other data entry facilities in pgAdmin.

I don't think there are any report generation facilities in pgAdmin.
You might try searching the mail archives if you don't get any other
responses.

Best,

John DeSoi, Ph.D.
http://pgedit.com/
Power Tools for PostgreSQL


Re: Front end?

From
"M. Bastin"
Date:
>Any hints or especially tutorials would be greatly appreciated

You can purchase REALbasic Standard and pgSQL4RB "internal
deployment" for about $200 total.  (Might be a bit more with the weak
dollar.)

With that you can make virtually any stand-alone or console
application you like.  The big advantage of pgSQL4RB is that it comes
with excellent documentation and it supports virtually all PostgreSQL
features.

Eduphant is a small but free frontend that was made with RB +
pgSQL4RB.  It's a good frontend to learn SQL.  You can insert data
using SQL queries and there are templates to show you how.

Go to aliacta.com for more info.

Cheers,

Marc

Re: Front end?

From
"Taber, Mark"
Date:
We use phpPgAdmin (http://phppgadmin.sourceforge.net/) ...it's free, and a
decent web-based front end.  Easy as pie to set up, too.  You've got all the
other parts in place (Apache, Postgres).


Mark Taber
State of California
Department of Finance
Infrastructure & Architecture

916.323.3104 x 2945
mark.taber@dof.ca.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Afton & Ray Still [mailto:rastill@shaw.ca]
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 1:53 PM
To: pgsql-novice@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: [NOVICE] Front end?

Thanks to all for your suggestions.
RealBasic may be good, but It's too expensive for the moment, I'll definatly
keep Access in mind for letting others use the database, but as I don't have
Access....

I've got Apache, PHP, and PostGreSQL up and operational so we'll see what
happens.
I should try to provide a summry of what I've learned to the group, but I'm
not sure where to start.
Probably, other than make sure you read the manuals, the main things are to
install the three programs, and then test Apache by itself (can you see the
Apache test page?), and then test PHP with Apache(a good test is phpinfo().
) and finally get PHP to talk to PostgreSQL.
Thanks everyone
Ray

>
>>>>Now I need to figure out how to use the database. Is what I'm
>>>>looking for the front end?
>
>>>>I'm looking for a front end(?) that is relativly easy, cheap or
>>>>preferably free, and has fairly good abilities for formated output.
>>>>I would also like to be able to create a standalone application if
>>>>possible.
>
>>So what I'm looking for is a way to enter data and get fairly good
>>looking (well formated) reports.
>>
>>I'd also like to be able
>>to create an aplication that I can give to a co-worker who is only
>>semi-computer literate. It doesn't really matter if it's all self
>>contained, as long as it's all transperent to the end user.
>
>
> I had only back-end experience for a while, and then wanted to make an
> application also--perhaps similar to you.
>
> I like REALbasic.  It has some quirks, but it's quite easy to use for
> someone who is not a professional programmer.  However you're looking
> at a cost of a few hundred dollars.  It will compile a standalone
> application for Mac, Windows, or Linux using the same code.  I've done
> some crossplatform Mac/Windows stuff.  Again, there are some quirks,
> but I think you're going to find those everywhere.
>
> As a free option, I believe you can use postgres with php with a web
> browser as the environment.  THere are tons of books on php.  However
> I found the syntax of REALbasic easier.  I think RB is also more
> powerful when it comes to some things, although there are probably
> people who would argue with me about that.  THe REALbasic "networked user
group" or "nug"
> is a fabulous resource.  You can get a free demo of RB.  If you try
> it, start by writing some "hello world" applications (the tutorial is
> reasonably good) BEFORE jumping straight into database programming.
>
> HTH.  I am also not a professional programmer.
>
> -Allan
>
> --
> Allan Berger, DVM, PhD, MBA
> Bright Eyes & Bushy Tails Veterinary Service <http://www.BrEBT.com>
> -and-
> Dept. of Internal Medicine
> University of Iowa, 500 EMRB
> Iowa City, IA  52242
> (319) 351-4256 (voice)
> (319) 341-8445 (fax)



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Re: Front end?

From
"Taber, Mark"
Date:
Sorry...I jumped the gun.  phpPgAdmin is for administering.  After I went
back and read the original post (yes, I know, I should have done that before
I wrote), I see you're looking for something programmable.  Sorry.


Mark Taber
State of California
Department of Finance
Infrastructure & Architecture

916.323.3104 x 2945
mark.taber@dof.ca.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Afton & Ray Still [mailto:rastill@shaw.ca]
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 1:53 PM
To: pgsql-novice@postgresql.org
Subject: Re: [NOVICE] Front end?

Thanks to all for your suggestions.
RealBasic may be good, but It's too expensive for the moment, I'll definatly
keep Access in mind for letting others use the database, but as I don't have
Access....

I've got Apache, PHP, and PostGreSQL up and operational so we'll see what
happens.
I should try to provide a summry of what I've learned to the group, but I'm
not sure where to start.
Probably, other than make sure you read the manuals, the main things are to
install the three programs, and then test Apache by itself (can you see the
Apache test page?), and then test PHP with Apache(a good test is phpinfo().
) and finally get PHP to talk to PostgreSQL.
Thanks everyone
Ray

>
>>>>Now I need to figure out how to use the database. Is what I'm
>>>>looking for the front end?
>
>>>>I'm looking for a front end(?) that is relativly easy, cheap or
>>>>preferably free, and has fairly good abilities for formated output.
>>>>I would also like to be able to create a standalone application if
>>>>possible.
>
>>So what I'm looking for is a way to enter data and get fairly good
>>looking (well formated) reports.
>>
>>I'd also like to be able
>>to create an aplication that I can give to a co-worker who is only
>>semi-computer literate. It doesn't really matter if it's all self
>>contained, as long as it's all transperent to the end user.
>
>
> I had only back-end experience for a while, and then wanted to make an
> application also--perhaps similar to you.
>
> I like REALbasic.  It has some quirks, but it's quite easy to use for
> someone who is not a professional programmer.  However you're looking
> at a cost of a few hundred dollars.  It will compile a standalone
> application for Mac, Windows, or Linux using the same code.  I've done
> some crossplatform Mac/Windows stuff.  Again, there are some quirks,
> but I think you're going to find those everywhere.
>
> As a free option, I believe you can use postgres with php with a web
> browser as the environment.  THere are tons of books on php.  However
> I found the syntax of REALbasic easier.  I think RB is also more
> powerful when it comes to some things, although there are probably
> people who would argue with me about that.  THe REALbasic "networked user
group" or "nug"
> is a fabulous resource.  You can get a free demo of RB.  If you try
> it, start by writing some "hello world" applications (the tutorial is
> reasonably good) BEFORE jumping straight into database programming.
>
> HTH.  I am also not a professional programmer.
>
> -Allan
>
> --
> Allan Berger, DVM, PhD, MBA
> Bright Eyes & Bushy Tails Veterinary Service <http://www.BrEBT.com>
> -and-
> Dept. of Internal Medicine
> University of Iowa, 500 EMRB
> Iowa City, IA  52242
> (319) 351-4256 (voice)
> (319) 341-8445 (fax)



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