DBMS Buyer's Guide

1997 DBMS and Internet Systems Buyer's Guide

Tools that combine a database management engine with application programming languages and interfaces. These tools can be used in single-user or multiuser (network) mode. Most can also create front-end applications to client/server DBMSs.

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4D Server
Btrieve 6
Btrieve 6.15 for Windows
CodeBase 6
FirstSQL Desktop 2.30
Lotus Approach 97
Paradox
Personal Oracle7
SQLBase Desktop
Superbase
SurveyWin

4D Server
ACI US Inc.
Cupertino, CA; 800-881-3466, 408-252-4444
www.aci-4D.com
4D Server is a client/server RDBMS for the desktop that is a data, application, and structure server. It is designed for workgroups of two to 200. It combines the features of 4th Dimension with a true client/server architecture and data security facilities. 4D Server lets users publish data from a corporate database on the Web or an intranet. Runs on all 32-bit Windows and Macintosh platforms.

Btrieve 6
Pervasive Software
Austin, TX; 800-922-3771, 512-794-1719
www.pervasive-sw.com
A navigational client/server DBMS from Pervasive Software (formerly called Btrieve Technologies Inc.) that is designed to be bundled with commercial applications. It is built to meet the requirements of commercial developers by providing programming control, scalability from standalone to client/server environments, maintenance-free operations, and mass deployment licensing. Designed for third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation language programmers. Built on Pervasive's MicroKernel database engine. Can access different types of data concurrently.

Btrieve 6.15 for Windows
Pervasive Software
Austin, TX; 800-287-4383, 512-794-1719
www.pervasive-sw.com
A version of Btrieve designed to run on 32-bit Windows operating systems. The application and database engine can be deployed on either Windows 95 or Windows NT, allowing developers to target both environments with a single product. 16-bit Btrieve Windows applications can coexist with 32-bit applications and share files through the common Btrieve database engine. Supports preemptive multi-tasking, which allows for more efficient use of computing time and operation when executing multiple programs concurrently. Uses Windows 95 and Windows NT registry features for centralized application configuration. Includes database logging and roll-forward facilities. Pervasive Software (formerly called Btrieve Technologies Inc.) also provides Btrieve 6.15 (Server Edition) for NetWare and Windows NT.

CodeBase 6
Sequiter Software Inc.
Edmonton, Alberta Canada; 403-437-2410
www.sequiter.com
An xBase-compatible database engine that provides single-user, multi-user, and client/server database access for C, C++, Visual Basic, Delphi and Java programmers. CodeBase is compatible with dBase, FoxPro, and Clipper files and supports 16- and 32-bit development under Windows, DOS, Unix, OS/2, and Macintosh. Includes ActiveX data-aware controls and a visual report designer. All CodeBase applications are distributed royalty-free, including the client/server configuration. $495.

FirstSQL Desktop 2.30
FFE Software Inc.
El Cerrito, CA; 510-232-6800
www.firstsql.com
FirstSQL Desktop is a 32-bit DBMS that provides an ODBC interface and supports ANSI SQL Level 2. Provides access to native FirstSQL Databases and to dBase files and includes a Web development system for Internet and intranet Applications. Runs in Windows 95 and Windows NT. $295.

Lotus Approach 97
Lotus Development Corp.
Cambridge, MA; 800-346-1305, 415-335-2200
www.lotus.com
A relational DBMS designed for users who manage, analyze, and report information. Lets users create new databases from scratch or work with existing database files to accomplish data-management tasks, without writing code. Its PowerKey technology gives users native access to databases in a variety of forms, such as dBASE, Paradox, FoxPro, Access, Oracle, SQL Server, and DB2. Extends the power of Notes application development by integrating reporting and analysis tools with Notes databases. Lotus 1-2-3 users can generate forms, reports, mailing labels, and dynamic crosstabs based on Lotus 1-2-3 data without leaving the Lotus 1-2-3 environment. Approach is mail-enabled and supports VIM- and MAPI-compliant messaging systems. Includes tools that help users work with the Internet from within Approach.

Paradox
Borland International
Scotts Valley, CA; 800-621-2808
www.borland.com
A DBMS for end users and application developers. This version includes new Experts that automate virtually every common database task, and a range of usability enhancements that help beginner users; and it offers database integration with Microsoft Office 95 and Corel's PerfectOffice. It also includes new visual productivity tools that allow power users and professional developers to extend the Paradox environment to deliver advanced Windows database applications. Supports OLE 2.0, OLE Automation, OCXs, DDE, MAPI, and ODBC. Also includes 32-bit SQL Links for Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Microsoft SQL Server, and Borland InterBase server. Runs on Windows 95 and Windows NT. $299. Also available: New Paradox for Windows 3.1 (call for pricing), Paradox 7 for Windows 95 and Windows NT runtime ($299), Paradox 7 Client/Server ($1495), and Paradox 4.5 for DOS ($299.95).

Personal Oracle7
Oracle Corp.
Redwood Shores, CA; 800-633-0583, 415-506-7000
www.oracle.com
A desktop version of the Oracle7 database. Runs on Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Power Macintosh, and OS/2. Oracle Objects for OLE is bundled at no additional cost. Requires 30MB of disk space and 16MB of RAM. Available for a 90-day free trial by downloading the product from Oracle's Web server.

SQLBase Desktop
Centura Software Corp.
Redwood Shores, CA; 800-444-8782, 415-321-9500
www.centurasoft.com
A single-user database engine built for deployment and including a tool for database setup and interfaces for C, C++, and ODBC. Its programmability options, such as advanced cursor handling and result set processing, allow more robust applications to be deployed off the LAN and onto the desktop. More robust applications can also run against larger data sets, taking advantage of SQLBase's native relational functionality such as query and sort optimization. Comes with a set of graphical tools to manage and administer the desktop database environment. SQLConsole provides point-and-click administration of databases, including the automation of routine tasks such as database backup. Quest is a graphical data management tool that allows point-and-click query construction, as well as data migration to and from file-based data formats.

Superbase
Superbase Developers plc
Hermosa Beach, CA USA; 310-374-4125
www.superbase.com
Superbase is a desktop database management system that supports programming in three different dialects of Basic: traditional line-numbered Basic, QuickBasic style of syntax, and the new Visual Basic for Applications style of programming. Single and Multi-User systems available.

SurveyWin
Raosoft Inc.
Seattle, WA; 206-525-4025
www.raosoft.com
SurveyWin is a statistical database management system. Lets users design forms for electronic data entry or for paper and then use the FastStats statistics feature to produce analyses and reports. Users can collect data from multiple sources, including networks, email, and the Internet, and append it into the same master database. Lets users create traditional surveys, evaluations, inventory collections, expense account records, help desks, and CATI interviewing scripts. IntelligentShell entry screens are composed without any database programming. Available in 16- and 32-bit versions. Runs on Windows 95 and NT.

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Updated Monday, October 6, 1997