Managing databases

InfoMaker supports many database management systems (DBMSs). For the most part, you work the same way in InfoMaker for each DBMS, but because each DBMS provides some unique features (which InfoMaker makes use of), there are some issues that are specific to a particular DBMS. For complete information about using your DBMS, see Connecting to Your Database.

What you can do

If you installed the Database painter, you can do the following in any DBMS to which you have been given access by the database administrator:

  • Modify local table and column properties

  • Retrieve, change, and insert data

  • Create new local tables or modify existing tables

If you did not install the Database painter, you can report on data in tables to which you have access, but you cannot change data, create new tables, or modify existing tables.

Setting the database connection

When you open a painter that communicates with the database (such as the Database painter or DataWindow painter), InfoMaker connects you to the database you used last if you are not already connected. If the connection to the default database fails, the painter still opens.

If you do not want to connect to the database you used last, you can deselect the Connect to Default Profile option in the Database Preferences dialog box.

Changing the database connection

You can change to a different database at any time. When you connect to a different database, the existing connection is closed. The database components for the current connection are listed in the Objects view, and the title bars of the painter and of views in the painter display the current connection. For more about changing the database you are connected to, see Connecting to Your Database.

Creating and deleting databases

When you are connected to SQL Anywhere, you can create a new database or delete an existing database using the Database painter.

For all other DBMSs, creating and deleting a database is an administrative task that you cannot do within InfoMaker.