TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Apr 98 Viewpoint

Volume Number: 14 (1998)
Issue Number: 4
Column Tag: Viewpoint

Apr 97 - Viewpoint

by Ed Ringel

MacTech Magazine's Database Project

With the focus of this issue on database engines, I've asked Ed Ringel, MacTech's Contributing Editor for product reviews, to tell us a little bit about why he thinks database technologies are crucial to all Macintosh developers. Ed has been working for many months to bring us information about many of the database engines available for use in Macintosh programs. The results of some of his work appear in this issue; he also is responsible for bringing us several database articles over the past year and a half, and yet more will appear in future issues. I hope you enjoy his guest editorial. - Eric Gundrum, Editor Emeritus

If you riffle through the last year's or so issues of MacTech, you will note several database related articles, such as those about PowerBuilder for Macintosh and B-Tree Helper. This issue is a continuation of our attempt to address one of the basic issues of computer programming and software development, the management of large amounts of data.

Certainly, many off the shelf products do not deal with data that is managed in a database - graphics and word processing programs come to mind almost immediately. However, such diverse functions as investing our mutual funds and querying our bank accounts, managing our health care, the management of corporate America, and our right to vote depend on the ability to manipulate formatted information in a predictable, easy, and useful manner. Those of you who do contract programming almost certainly have undertaken a database or information management product at some time or another. Sadly, the Mac OS often has not been chosen as the platform for management of this kind of information. This is partially because of the artificial ascendancy of the Wintel platform, but it also is partially because of the perception of many IS professionals that the Mac has inadequate tools for the task. We want to put the latter misperception, at least, to rest.

In this issue we present articles on two high end products dtF and NeoAccess, for your evaluation, and an additional article on a rather interesting find, Jovis. dtF and NeoAccess are powerful databases with inherent cross platform capabilities. Jovis, although inherently not as versatile as the other two because of its confinement to the XCMD (and thus the Mac OS) world, nonetheless does what it does very well. All three of these products can do a fine job of managing complex information for many users.

All three of these products also support the developer in the development of static knowledge bases with the capability to handle large, arbitrary blocks of binary data. Although a departure from "traditional" information management, this is a growth area for the use of database engines. This should be an area of particular interest to the Mac developer. The Mac's beautiful graphics, excellent printing, and ease of programming multimedia make the platform a natural for static knowledge bases.

What am I talking about? As I browse the catalogues and particularly browse the store shelves, much of the software sold at the retail level simply is not a new way of manipulating data. Rather, the purchaser is buying the information on the CD, not the program that presents it. Sadly, it is very hard to come up with a new program that genuinely is a better mousetrap, and many talented developers spend much time and treasure trying to write the next PageMaker or Excel. Face it guys, for most of us, that ain't in the cards. Additionally, the reality is that the programs out there that do most computational tasks are pretty good; the competition is pretty stiff. Reflecting this fact, and reflecting the public's hunger for consumable stuff, concentrating on information rather than software, may be a better tack for many developers. Many interactive games (short of arcade games) use a relatively simple shell that really is a multimedia display with decision points and programmed responses. Teaching CD's, information CD's, and my movies CD from my local video store don't sell the information player, they sell the information.

Arguably then, content development is pretty darn important. Good quality, easy to use tools such as those we've reviewed here give the developer breathing room to think about content, structure, and esthetic appeal of the presentation. Certainly, we will continue to want high-quality code programmers to flower and prosper, but many of us can create significant works with our good understanding of communication and esthetics and by collaborating with our colleagues who are content experts. This may be more important to professional success than shaving another microsecond from a rendering routine. Think about it.

Our reviews of this important area are not complete. We invite vendors and readers to let us know about their favorite engines, and we'll try to evaluate them. Be careful, though, you might get tapped to be the author of the review!


Ed Ringel is Contributing Editor for product reviews for MacTech Magazine. When he's not working at the computer or enjoying the Maine lakes and woods, he's a respiratory and critical care physician in Waterville, Maine. He can be reached at eringel@mint.net

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more
Unreal Mobile is offering a $100 discount on...
Unreal Mobile, an MVNO using AT&T and T-Mobile’s networks, is offering a $100 discount on any new iPhone with service. This includes new iPhone 16 models as well as iPhone 15, 13, and SE phones... Read more
16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros on sale for $250-...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver or Black colors) on sale right now for up to $300 off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently... Read more
Get a 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro for up to $240 o...
Amazon is offering a $150-$250 discount on Apple’s 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party seller: – 14″ M4 MacBook Pro... Read more
Clearance 14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pros availab...
B&H Photo has clearance 14″ M3 Pro MacBook Pros (in Black or Silver) on sale for $500 off original MSRP, only $1499. B&H offers free 1-2 day delivery to most US addresses: – 14″ 11-Core M3... Read more
Sams Club is offering a $50 discount on Titan...
Sams Club has Titanium Apple Watch Series 10 models on sale for $50 off Apple’s MSRP. Sams Club Membership required. Note that sale prices are for online orders only, in-store prices may vary. Choose... Read more
Sunday Sale: Apple’s latest 13-inch M4 MacBoo...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
Apple’s M4 Mac minis on sale for record-low p...
B&H Photo has M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis in stock and on sale right now for up to $150 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses. Prices start at only $469: – M4... Read more
Week’s Best Deals: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros fo...
Don’t pay full price! These retailers are offering $200-$250 discounts on new 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros this week…they are the lowest sale prices available for new MacBook Pros: (1): Amazon is offering... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.