From: abledsoe@sdf.lonestar.org (Al Bledsoe)
Subject: Re: Looking for a USABLE database
Organization: sdf Public Access UNIX, Dallas--unrestricted free shell access
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 14:09:22 GMT

In article <4352@disuns2.epfl.ch> baechler@liasun7.epfl.ch (Emmanuel Baechler) writes:
>Hi,
>
>I am currently workink with an hospital. My task is to support laboratories and
>their applications. I am also involved in the choice and the integration of new
>applications in our environnment.
>
>To do this I have started to work with databases a few days ago, especially
>with Ingres (version 6.4 on a DG AViiON 310). The least that I can say is that
>I am *TERRIBLY* disappointed. This DBMS is not only extremely slow, it's way of

etc. etc. heard this story many times before.

>  this is totally unacceptable: labs frequently add new tests, or add COMBINED
>  tests (based on existing ones), and this means the addition of new columns.

Uh, have you read anything about relational database theory?

>_ The SQL request are *SLOW*, to say the least!
>
>_ there's no environnment allowing "standard users", like lab people or doctors

I've worked in the health field here in Texas since 1975,  doctors are not
standard users!!

>It is absolutely clear for me that, in this situation, any package based on
>Ingres would be totally rejected by these laboratories. Even worse, they would
>create a *LOT* of anger.

Probably.  But one of my projects is to go RDBMS.  The company I am with
now is still recovering from an attempt to go DB2.  So how can I win?

>
>So, my questions are the following:
>
>_ Is there, somewhere in the world, a USABLE query (and developpement)
>  enviromments for DBMS like Ingres and ORacle?
>
>_ If so, where can I find them? Is there something in public domain that could
>  be FTPable? Are there good commercial products? Where can I find them?
>
>_ Are there OTHER good multiuser RELATIONAL DBMS? Where can I find Them?
>
>_ Are there good alternatives to RDMS? Are some object-oriented DBMS worth?
>  Are ther environnment usable? Where can I find them?
>
>Any help will be HIGHLY appreciated.
>
The ANSI MUMPS database/language has for years and years accomplished your
task in a very efficient manner.  The U.S. VA laboratory system was written
with MUMPS (see DEC's DSM product info).  I now work for a laboratory vendor
that uses PICK or UniVerse's PICKeese running on UNIX servers such as
Sequent or IBM's RS/6000 or HP's 9000/857's etc.

These database vendors are just now discovering the Open world as they
emerge from their vertical niches.  Intersystems is a MUMPS vendor that
markets a product called M/SQL, hiding the name MUMPS and flouting
their 4GL-like frontend.  UniVerse 7.0 by Vmark is doing the same thing
by embedding SQL and creating a global dictionary to the relational
world.

So,  there is no lack for tools to create efficient and well interfaced
applications for the medical community.   Byte magazine May 1992 gives
credibilty to the view that RDBMS's have had their chance.  Combining
what was learned through them with what has been demonstrated through
such DBMS's as MUMPS and PICK will find new functional products from
vendors that address the real world of weird users like doctors.

Hint:  try Advanced Revelation in a client/server design with UniVerse.

>-- 
>Emmanuel Baechler.                        | Tel.: ++41-21-314-45-30
>CHUV                                      | e-mail: baechler@lia.di.epfl.ch
>Division Autonome d'informatique          |     or: baechler@liasun6.epfl.ch
>CH-1011 Lausanne	Switzerland	  | Standard Disclaimer
---
Al Bledsoe (214) 349-4025     I'm not a salesman.
NLFC, Inc. ( new LAB FORCE company)  
abledsoe@sdf.lonestar.org