Database Management System used by the School of Arts and Sciences
File Marker Pro, Microsoft Access, MySQL and Oracle are widely used database management systems within the School of Arts and Sciences. FileMaker Pro and Access are most suitable for desktop applications that will be used by small groups of users. Both FileMaker Pro and Access are good starting points for learning about relational database management systems and SQL (Structured Query Language). MySQL (in conjunction with PHP) is the recommended platform for programmers affiliated with departments charged with developing database driven web applications.
Desktop database applications
Access is a Windows-only client. It is possible for technically inclined users to develop relatively complex applications with Access as it supports a Visual Basic for Applications programming environment and SQL. Access is convenient for business office users as it’s easy to seamlessly move and copy information between Access and Excel. Access also offers ODBC connectivity to the University Data Warehouse and therefore makes it possible for authorized users to link to rather than to duplicate data stored in University systems. Although Microsoft Office users will note similarity in the menu and tool bars in Access and other Office products, Access is not intuitive to use and requires an investment of time to master. Access comes packaged with database templates (e.g. Contact Management and Resource Scheduling) that may be customized to suit individual needs.
FileMaker Pro is cross platform, available for Mac and Windows. FMP is easy to learn for people without a programming background, and many non-technical users can easily and quickly learn to create forms, letters and reports. Although there were security issues with earlier versions of FMP (e.g. a single shared password), FMP 7 has introduced many improvements in this regard (and in other areas too, including ODBC/JDBC connectivity). Secure network sharing of FMP databases by multiple users is now possible but requires a FMP server and server software. FileMaker Pro is a good option for people needing to create fairly straightforward, stand alone desktop applications in a cross platform environment
Database driven web applications
MySQL is a widely used open source database program that uses SQL as a data manipulation language. It is the recommended DBMS in SAS for developing dynamic web application in conjunction with PHP. PHP is a scripting language with a large number of built-in libraries that is especially suitable for web development. GUI interfaces are available for interacting with the database. Departments wishing to develop database driven web sites may contact the Workstation Services group (wks@sas.upenn.edu) in SAS Computing for additional information and assistance with obtaining accounts. .
Oracle is a robust database management system. The Application Development team in SAS Computing has used Oracle to develop secure, complex, transaction processing systems. As current versions of MySQL have full support for transactions, this DBMS is not needed by contract programmers hired by departments to develop dynamic we sites.
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