How fast is InterBase? 1

[EricDraven]

I have been researching Client Server relationships on the internet and believe that Interbase is a possibilty! I have my application (written in Delphi) which already uses quite a few SQL Queries to access my .dbf files (most searching however is done using the indexes and FindKey). My application runs perfectly when run locally but over a network it suffers when my main table grows in size (9 - 10,000 records). Will InterBase rectify this and if so, how difficult is it to migrate from using TTables and the BDE in Delphi to access dbf files?

Also, is SQL coding the only way to directly access my tables if I use InterBase?

TIA


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[Svanhooft]

hi,

Interbase is the database to use. The first advantage is that it is for free. It is very stable and you can manipulate large number of records. We build applications with more then 100.000 records in the main table.
The best thing to do is to use only queries. Using the table component will slow down the application.
On the internet there is a lot off stuff regarding interbase. Also a lott of examples are available.
If you want know more let me know

Steph [Bigglasses]

 

[EricDraven]

I would be extremely greatful for any pointers you can give me on this topic! As I mentioned, I am using the BDE with TTables and TQueries, do you know of any articles which specifically deal with this kind of migration?

Also, how do I install InterBase onto the target machines once my application as been updated? Can it be installed along with the program via Installshield Express or does it need to be independantly installed?

Many, many thanks!


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[Svanhooft]

Hi,

Interbase has his own setup and it is wise to use that installer. Their are two version of Interbase, the free one and the one you have to pay for.
If you know your way around in the installer software it is possible to incorporate the interbase setup in to your installation.

http://ibinstall.defined.net/

Go to

http://delphi.about.com/

for more information on interbase. There are many examples and it wil give you a good start.
Also on

http://www.borland.com

there is a lot of info about Interbase.
At start it will give you some headaches but it is worth the effort.

Steph [Bigglasses]

 

[EricDraven]

Many thanks for pointing me in the right direction so far. I just have one question at the moment. I have registered a server and created a database (in interbase 6, open source version), but how do I add my Tables to the database? Do I have to create new instances of the tables (and if so, how?) or can I just click a button to add my existing .dbf files to the new database? I really can't seem to figure this one out???

TIA


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[Svanhooft]

Hi,

Two ways to make this work.
You can use the Datadesktop to convert the tables and what's in it directly to interbase.
Make 2 aliasses. One pointing to the dbf files and one to the interbase gdb. You can create a gdb with IBconsole. Then use the copy function from the desktop to copy the datafiles from dbase directly to interbase.

The other way is to use IBConsole and create the Tables.
With IBconsole you can do everything whats necessary.
Within IBConsole use the sql functionality to create every thing you need. Look in the help how to do things.

Steph [Bigglasses}

 

[EricDraven]

I have opted for the first suggestion and am running into stiff resistance! I created the two aliases as you said and some tables copy over fine but some refuse, returning the message "Invalid table create request". I thought that it might just have been those dbf files which have either an index file or memo file attached?

Can you shed any light on this???


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[Svanhooft]

hi,

I think that some fields in the database are reserved words in the Interbase database. Fields like username, password etc cann't be used within a table the thing to do is to rename the fields in the dbf file and then try again.
Also fieldnames like memo aren't usable in Interbase

Steph [Bigglasses]

 

[EricDraven]

Ahhhh, that seems to do the trick! Quite a few field names to change about now, should keep me out of trouble for most of the afternoon!

Thank you very much indeed Steph!


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[MartijnTonies]

Word of warning:
DO NOT USE TTABLE!

Do NOT use .FindKey or anything similiar.

In order to transfer less data across the network, let the server filter your data before returning it.

You're best bet on an easy transfer to InterBase without changing a whole lot in your application would be IBObjects (

http://www.ibobjects.com

) and as a GUI tool, try Database Workbench (

http://www.upscene.com

Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - the developer tool for InterBase and Firebird

http://www.upscene.com

 

[EricDraven]

One more question, does Interbase have a problem with date fields? I have been having problems converting some larger tables so I left them for the time but some smaller tables wouldnt convert despite not using a reserved word. I tried instead, to create a new table using different field names, and it wouldnt save either! Yet if I take out the date field altogether, the table would save to my database???

Can anybody shed some light on this???


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[MartijnTonies]

Tell us the error.


Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - the developer tool for InterBase and Firebird

http://www.upscene.com

 

[EricDraven]

The error I am getting is "Invalid table create request". When I got this trying to convert the tables, Svanhooft let me know that it was because I was using an Interbase reserved word. Removing the fieldname "BIRTHDATE" and its type (DATE) allowed me to save the table, but with this field in the table, I received the error above when trying to save???


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[MartijnTonies]

Are you trying to do this with Database Desktop? 'Cause this might be because DBDesktop is using the BDE and the version of the BDE that you're using might not completely support your InterBase version of database dialect.

My advice: drop the BDE and Database Desktop.


Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - the developer tool for InterBase and Firebird

http://www.upscene.com

 

[svanels]

You could use the conversion Utility from Borland, Data Pump to do the upscaling, but first make sure you get rid of all the reserved words.

I think taht IB-6 supports the DateTime field, which is a combination of Date and Time.
Make sure that you do not use the reserved word TYPE

Steven van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr

 

[EricDraven]

Svanels
This datapump utility sounds like it does just what I need. Where can I download it from?


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[EricDraven]

I get the feeling Im in for one of those days! I found out that Datapump is on the companion CD, then I discovered my CD Drive has just given up the ghost!

Currently downloading the install from a site I have found, but the day does not bode well...


When your feeling down and your resistance is low, light another cigarette and let yourself go

 

[Svanhooft]

hi,

Date fields are always difficult with SQL. I think the date field isn't converted the right way.
Try to set your computer in the american date notation and try again.
Datapump will not solve the problem if the date notation is not correct.

Steph [Bigglasses]

 

[MartijnTonies]

>Datapump will not solve the problem if the date notation is not correct.

That totally depends on how you insert it - if you're using prepared statements, your locale is irrelevant.

Either way, he got some kind of error trying to create the table.

Drop the BDE and use plain SQL or a specialize InterBase tool.


Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - the developer tool for InterBase and Firebird

http://www.upscene.com