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We have been using dbase4 in our workshop for all our database requirments for the last 12 years. for example our stores management, finances, salaries, challans, quotations etc. Now i want to upgrade to open source software, but i am quite unsure as to whether "mysql" will fulfill all my requirments. We have done a lot of programming in dbase IV to suit our requirments. Is MySQL as powerful as dbase when concerned with programming features. We have about 15 pc's in our lan and we dont need the internet features provided by mysql. My primary requirment is a decent frontend for database & relatively easy programming . Also i am quite frustrated with CLI of MySQL. Please help!!!

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As described, moving a long-lived dBase IV application to MySQL is doable but not a drop-in swap. dBase often bundles data, indexes and UI/logic together; MySQL is a server-side RDBMS. That means two separate jobs: migrate and validate the raw data, then reimplement the forms/reports/business logic in a front-end or application. Building on points raised by , and , the following is a practical, low-risk plan that avoids reliance on the CLI.

Start with an inventory and small pilot. Catalog every DBF, memo field, index (.idx/.ntx), report, and any PRG/scripted rules so nothing is lost. Export representative tables to CSV and import to a staging MySQL schema to sanity-check types and totals. Typical type mappings: CHARACTER -> VARCHAR/TEXT, MEMO -> TEXT/BLOB, NUMERIC -> INT or DECIMAL (use DECIMAL for money), DATE -> DATE/DATETIME, LOGICAL -> TINYINT(1)/BOOLEAN. Explicitly recreate primary keys and indexes in MySQL and pick a transaction-safe engine (InnoDB) for finance/payroll tables.

Frontend and logic: dBase programs often hold business rules in forms; those must be reimplemented either in a desktop LAN front-end (ODBC/JDBC) or a LAN-hosted application so Internet access is not required. Keep business logic in the application layer where it is maintainable, or move critically shared operations into stored procedures if desired. For administration and import/export, choose a visual admin UI so day-to-day work does not require the CLI.

Migration checklist highlights: run parallel reports (row counts, sums, checksums) to validate, migrate one module at a time (pilot -> fix -> rollout), keep full backups and a rollback plan, and train one power user for the new workflow. Expect some rewrite effort for forms and reports, but the payoff is robust transactions, concurrency, and easier backups and scaling on a 15-PC LAN.

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Member Avatar for oberoc

I don't know much about DBase 4. Is that still even on the market? I believe that it should be powerful enough to do regular database stuff, but I really don't know until I get a better handle on what your DB looks like. Also, you might want to check out www.phpmyadmin.net . That is a web based admin interface to mysql to relieve you of the frustration that you are feeling. If you have any more question, post a reply.

-HTH,
Tino

We have been using dbase4 in our workshop for all our database requirments for the last 12 years. for example our stores management, finances, salaries, challans, quotations etc. Now i want to upgrade to open source software, but i am quite unsure as to whether "mysql" will fulfill all my requirments. We have done a lot of programming in dbase IV to suit our requirments. Is MySQL as powerful as dbase when concerned with programming features. We have about 15 pc's in our lan and we dont need the internet features provided by mysql. My primary requirment is a decent frontend for database & relatively easy programming . Also i am quite frustrated with CLI of MySQL. Please help!!!

Thanks

Member Avatar for popsyjunior

I think Mysql is the next thing for you. Good Luck
Popsana
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Edited by peter_budo because: Keep It On The Site - Do not post asking for an answer to be sent to you via email or PM.
Member Avatar for mwasif

MySQL does not have any native GUI as MS Access have. You can choose from a lot of 3rd party . There is another open source option available i.e. PostgreSQL.

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