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Connection String and Loading an External Database.

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    Connection String and Loading an External Database.

    Hello,

    I've created a connection string to my postgreSQL database, and it works; however, can I use the connection to edit that database in the Alpha Five control pannel?

    If the answer is yes, please tell me how or point me in the right direction in the help files.

    if no, just say no.

    Thanks
    Newander

    #2
    Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

    Not in the control panel - you can drop tables etc. in the database explorer (Tools > External Databases), but if you just want to tweak an existing SQL database, why not use the free PostGres GUI to add new tables, change field definitons etc?

    You can also use export operations to generate tables in SQL databases, but this requires existing DBF (Alpha 5's own tables) or active link tables in your Alpha 5 Project/database.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

      Originally posted by NoeticCC View Post

      You can also use export operations to generate tables in SQL databases, but this requires existing DBF (Alpha 5's own tables) or active link tables in your Alpha 5 Project/database.
      Sorry my question was not clear. I have an existing Alpha 5 database, I'd like to export it to my existing SQL database.

      Basically I'm looking to create the User Software using alpha 5 on a desktop PC and connect with the aforementioned software to the database on my server.

      The employee's will use the desktop Alpha 5 software, to modify records in my SQL database. Is this possible?

      Thanks for the quick response,
      Newander

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

        When I tried to export my first table to the postreSQL I got this error.

        Could not export table 'contacts.dbf'.
        Unable to create table - Database API specific error

        Your database has returned the following error code and description to Alpha Five. Consult your database documentation for further information.

        -3551 - '[Microsoft][ODBC dBase Driver] Syntax error in CREATE TABLE statement.
        SQL State is: 42000'

        Thanks,
        Newander

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

          Originally posted by Newander View Post
          Sorry my question was not clear. I have an existing Alpha 5 database, I'd like to export it to my existing SQL database.

          Basically I'm looking to create the User Software using alpha 5 on a desktop PC and connect with the aforementioned software to the database on my server.

          The employee's will use the desktop Alpha 5 software, to modify records in my SQL database. Is this possible?
          Ah, yes that should be possible. I have not worked with Postgres much, and have found the native AlphaDAO drivers easier to work with (as far as how well they seem to "play" with the SQL database)... I will look up the error you got, and check if it is something you can amend or if there may be a bug somewhere - I have noticed more API errors with ODBC drivers in the latest builds, and have reported these as bug reports, but we use Oracle so the situation may be different.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

            Originally posted by Newander View Post
            -3551 - '[Microsoft][ODBC dBase Driver] Syntax error in CREATE TABLE statement.
            SQL State is: 42000'

            Thanks,
            Newander
            Have you tried downloading the Postgres ODBC driver? I don't think the dBase driver is the correct one.

            http://www.postgresql.org/
            http://www.postgresql.org/download/

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

              Originally posted by NoeticCC View Post
              Have you tried downloading the Postgres ODBC driver? I don't think the dBase driver is the correct one.

              http://www.postgresql.org/
              http://www.postgresql.org/download/
              I don't think its a problem with the driver, because, one of the tables made it over to the database just fine, however, all the rest did not. My connection was verified.

              I decided to try it on our MySql database instead and it worked just fine. I can use this database instead of the PostgreSQL.

              That problem being fixed, I'm still curious if I can design my software in Alpha 5 and use said software to update the MySql Database?

              Thanks,
              Newander

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                Originally posted by Newander View Post
                I don't think its a problem with the driver, because, one of the tables made it over to the database just fine, however, all the rest did not. My connection was verified.
                Just because you can connect doesn't mean it's the ideal driver - native drivers are always preferable, although of course for Postgres that is not available.

                That problem being fixed, I'm still curious if I can design my software in Alpha 5 and use said software to update the MySql Database?
                Sure, I just wasn't sure what you meant originally by "edit that database" (that usually refers more to structural changes rather than just updating data) :)

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                  Originally posted by Newander View Post
                  When I tried to export my first table to the postreSQL I got this error.

                  Could not export table 'contacts.dbf'.
                  Unable to create table - Database API specific error

                  Your database has returned the following error code and description to Alpha Five. Consult your database documentation for further information.

                  -3551 - '[Microsoft][ODBC dBase Driver] Syntax error in CREATE TABLE statement.
                  SQL State is: 42000'

                  Thanks,
                  Newander

                  you should have no problem exporting your table from alpha five (.dbf file) to Postgress.

                  If you have a problem with a particular table can you first try this:

                  1. open the sample alphasports database. try exporting the tables in this database to postgress. does that work ok.

                  is so, then can send us a copy of your table that you are having trouble with.

                  if there is a problem that we can duplicate, we will fix it asap.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                    Originally posted by Selwyn Rabins View Post
                    you should have no problem exporting your table from alpha five (.dbf file) to Postgress.
                    Is the dbase ODBC driver the right driver to use though? I am sure when I last tried it, I had to use the Postgres ODBC driver.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                      May I know how to make a connection between Alpha Five and PostgreSQL? I've installed psqlODBC and get the data source name. However, while I try to test the connection, the error msg show up "Unable to connect. Database API specific error. Couldn't load libpq library".

                      Any clue, please?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                        Let me understand what you've done:

                        1 - installed the server on a machine (suppose with ip 192.168.0.1)
                        2 - created a db (named pippo)
                        3 - installed the odbc on your machine
                        4 - configured a new odbc dsn for your pippo db named pippo_odbc

                        Under A5:

                        5 - new active link table
                        6 - ad hoc connection string - build...
                        7 - on the connection string creation: connection type odbc - data source name: your pippo_odbc
                        8 - clic on test connection

                        The problem is testing the connection on 4 or on 8 ?

                        Ciao.
                        *** 38911 basic bytes free ***

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                          Hi Joshua,

                          If you don�t currently have the latest patch for version 9 installed, please download and install the patch. You will also need to have the PostgreSQL ODBC driver installed on each client machine. You will find the installer for PostgreSQL 8.3 at www.postgresql.com. Download the windows installer and choose to install the client (ODBC) drivers.

                          If you are working with the Generic ODBC driver in Alpha Five, make sure that PostgreSQL is selected as your Syntax type.

                          We have also recently added an extension driver for PostgreSQL that makes connecting a bit simpler. I would recommend that you use this driver.

                          1. From the connection dialog for Alpha DAO, select PostgreSQL as your driver.



                          2. Enter your host name or IP address, select the port your server is configured for and provide the user name, password and database name.



                          3. Export your data using a named connection.

                          If you are able to, as Selwyn suggested, export AlphaSports, but not your tables, please send me a trace of the export.

                          a. Check the Trace SQL box in the connection string dialog.
                          b. Run the attempted export.
                          c. From the Alpha Five main menu select View and then Trace Window.
                          d. Click on the tab labeled SQL.
                          e. Click the button labeled Copy To Clipboard.
                          f. Paste this into an e-mail to [email protected]

                          Best Regards,

                          Kurt

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                            Originally posted by badmood View Post
                            Let me understand what you've done:

                            1 - installed the server on a machine (suppose with ip 192.168.0.1)
                            2 - created a db (named pippo)
                            3 - installed the odbc on your machine
                            4 - configured a new odbc dsn for your pippo db named pippo_odbc

                            Under A5:

                            5 - new active link table
                            6 - ad hoc connection string - build...
                            7 - on the connection string creation: connection type odbc - data source name: your pippo_odbc
                            8 - clic on test connection

                            The problem is testing the connection on 4 or on 8 ?

                            Ciao.
                            First of all, thank you for your reply.

                            The connection tested on 4 is succeeded but not luck on 8. The error msg is showed under A5.



                            Are the settings correct?

                            I am new to A5 and using the trial version but according to my research it is full version of A5 even it is just a trial.
                            Last edited by leowyc; 05-29-2008, 09:33 PM.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Connection String and Loading an External Database.

                              Originally posted by Kurt Rayner View Post
                              Hi Joshua,

                              If you don�t currently have the latest patch for version 9 installed, please download and install the patch. You will also need to have the PostgreSQL ODBC driver installed on each client machine. You will find the installer for PostgreSQL 8.3 at www.postgresql.com. Download the windows installer and choose to install the client (ODBC) drivers.
                              [/email]

                              Best Regards,

                              Kurt
                              May I know where to get the latest patch for version 9? Will it be working with trial version as well?

                              Thanks.

                              Comment

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