HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: harit@kripalu.com
Subject: Re: NULL to NOT NULL
Reply-To: harit@kripalu.com
Organization: Kripalu Center
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 17:34:48 GMT

In article <BzB27G.7Ex@well.sf.ca.us> mharper@well.sf.ca.us (Michael J. Harper)  
writes:
> If I create a column in a table which allows NULLs, is there a way to go back
> later and change this column to be NOT NULL?
> -- 
> Michael J. Harper
> mharper@well.sf.ca.us

Only if you create a new table with the field declared NOT NULL and copy the  
data, delete the original, and rename the copy back to the name of the  
original.  The problem of changing it in the original table is that SYBASE does  
not want to have to go check that each row has data for that field.  In general  
SYBASE is not condusive to schema changes once you put data into the table.   
They prefer copies.
-- 
Michael Allen Latta
Kripalu Center
harit@kripalu.com
(413)448-3288
Newsgroups: comp.databases.sybase
Subject: Re: SQL select distinct problem
From: Dimitri Vulis <DLVGC@CUNYVM.BITNET>
Date: Saturday, 12 Dec 1992 18:53:50 EST
Organization: City University of New York/ University Computer Center

In article <1992Dec9.150551.3636@ctp.com>, sreit@ctp.com (Stefan Reitshamer)
says:
>I have a bunch of rows with sex/rel codes and names from which I want
>to select a distinct set of sex/rel codes and the name associated with
>each of the codes.
>
>For example:
>
>create table #tmp
>        (
>        sex_rel varchar(2) NULL,
>        name varchar(10) NULL
>        )
>insert #tmp values("A","Jim")
>insert #tmp values("B","Sue")
>insert #tmp values("B","Susie")
>insert #tmp values("C","Bobby")
>
>select distinct sex_rel from #tmp       <--     For this distinct list
>("A","B","C")
>                                        I want the name associated with the
>                                        first occurrence of the code
>                                        ("Jim","Sue","Bobby").
>
>Is this possible? What would the select statement look like? Some kind of
>join? Help!
Here's yet another solution:
Create table #t1 (sex_rel char(1),name(...)
insert #t1 select distinct sex_rel,"" from #tmp
update #t1 from #tmp set #t1.name=#tmp.name where
 #t1.sex_rel=#tmp.sex_rel
on the plus side, it doesn't use WHILE, on the minus side,
the name won't be first (but this is counter-SQL anyway).

Dimitri
From: dcowles@sybase.com (Daniel Cowles)
Newsgroups: comp.databases.sybase
Subject: Support Renewals/Customer Service Questions
Date: 11 Dec 92 19:34:22 GMT
Reply-To: dcowles@sybase.com (Daniel Cowles)
Distribution: na
Organization: Sybase, Inc.

In order to receive a much quicker response on your support renewal
or customer service questions, please address them directly to the
correct departments. Your sales rep does not handle support renewals,
updates, address changes, etc.

The numbers:

Support Renewals -- 510-596-4524. This is the main line. If that doesn't
work call me directly at 510-596-4522.

Customer Service -- 510-596-3333. This is the main customer service line.
They can answer or direct any non-technical, non-support renewal
question and expedite service.
I hope this helps.

       Daniel Cowles, Senior Support Renewals Administrator.

:wq
go
Newsgroups: comp.databases.sybase
From: kevin@traffic.den.mmc.com (Kevin Rodgers)
Subject: Re: Exact form of data flow to Sybase engine
Organization: Martin Marietta Western Internal Systems, Technical Operations
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 22:08:03 GMT

In article <MGK.92Dec10184557@cedar.sql.sybase.com> mgk@sql.sybase.com (Michael Keirnan aka Joe Cool) writes:
>(nevin@dtint.dtint.com) typed:
>>A colleague here at work suggested that the DB-LIB call
>>'dbwritetext()' does not (internally) convert the binary data to an
>>hex-encoded text stream, but sends it raw (as a binary stream) to the
>>server.
>>
>>Is this true?
>Yes, text and image data are sent "as is". (with no warranty, explicit
>or implied--oh sorry, wrong spiel).
>
>At the risk of sounding like a commerical (and w/o intending to!!):
>The RPC and TEXT/IMAGE mechanisms were designed with performance in
>Client/Server systems in mind. In general, they don't do unnecessary
>work at the Client or Server side.

At the risk of sounding like a jaded user, the TEXT/IMAGE mechanism
still isn't supported by Sybase's Open Server (Server-Library).  In
fact, the 'Types' page from it's reference manual makes the outlandish
suggestion that one should alter the database design to accomodate this
missing functionality:

|If a data object is larger than 255 bytes, split it into multiple rows
|or columns.  For example, if [sic] to return 500 bytes of data, use
|srv_describe to define two 250-byte columns.  The client application
|program can then concatenate the two columns when it receives the row.
-- 
Kevin Rodgers				kevin@traffic.den.mmc.com
Martin Marietta MS A16401		(303) 790-3971
116 Inverness Dr. East
Englewood CO 80112 USA			GO BUFFS!
From: aahz@netcom.com (Mean Green Dancing Machine)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: Paradox 3.5 and SQLlink 4.0 and VAX/VMS rdb
Keywords: Paradox SQL SQLlink VAX/VMS rdb
Date: 15 Dec 92 19:12:48 GMT
Organization: Don't blame me, I voted for Bill 'n' Opus

You'll need to upgrade to Paradox 4.0 in order to use SQL-Link 4.0.  I'd
also suggest checking out TechFax 598 if you haven't yet.
-- 
                         --- Aahz (the *other* Dan Bernstein)
                             @netcom.com 

Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6

"Would you like some toast?!"
From: jvs@lester.appstate.edu (John V. Scalco)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: ObjectVision - anyone using??
Date: 11 Dec 1992 22:53:54 -0500
Organization: Appalachian State University
NNTP-Posting-Host: lester.appstate.edu
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL7]

	is anyone using objectvision?  I'm interested in 
	using it to display/edit/add/ etc. dbase files, naturally
	under windows.

	So, I want to know the following:

	1>  Experiences with using it?

	2>  connecting C++ or Pascal  code with OV

	3>  the visual programming (decision trees) aspect
		how is it, productive, reasonably easy to
		develop apps.

	- also, any information on BPE [borland Paradox Engine]
		would be helpful too...

	it seems like noone is using either of these products --
	I need some opinions..details about their capabilites

	please help!!

	thanks -  
		john v. scalco
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: jjfink@skcla.monsanto.com
Subject: Re:    Paradox 4.0 ShowDialog CheckBoxes question
Organization: Searle, Skokie, IL
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 09:25:41 GMT

In article <92348.230646ISPAJW@ASUACAD.BITNET>, Robert's Dad <ISPAJW@ASUACAD.BITNET> writes:
> Hi,
>   I would like to create a dialog box in such a way that the user can
> select one or more ID numbers to process.  I know that I can use the
> ShowDialog CheckBoxes feature.  Here's the fun part:  The list of ID
> numbers is not static.  They are contained in a table which I load into
> an array using Scan.  Is there a way to use CheckBoxes (or another,
> similar feature) so that the user can select one or more ID numbers
> when the number of ID numbers is not known until runtime?

About the most direct way to do this would be to have a picklist from the array
of ID numbers, and an 'Add' button which would add the selected item to a
second picklist.  You should then have a 'Remove' button that would remove
items from the second list.

Joel
-- 
jjfink@skcla.monsanto.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I want peace on earth, and goodwill towards man."
"We don't do that kind of thing, we're the United States Government!"
  -- from _Sneakers_
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: daniel@borland.com (Dan Veditz)
Subject: Re: Paradox for Windows. When???
Originator: daniel@genghis.borland.com
Organization: Borland International
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 19:03:05 GMT

jcberger@grasp1.univ-lyon1.fr (Jean-Claude Berger) writes:
> In fact I am suspicious about Paradox future when I see that 
> Borland added more features to Dbase 4 1.5 than to Paradox 4.

I wouldn't worry about that, all the new dBASE IV 1.5 features were
planned at Ashton-Tate before the merger and the product was aleady
feature complete (post alpha-test).

>I am wondering if we will see a WORKING Paradox for Windows someday.

Paradox for Windows will be released way ahead of dBASE for Windows
if that makes you feel better about Borland's intentions.

Dan Veditz
daniel@borland.com
Int'l R&D (dBASE)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: g9utxu@fnma.COM (Tanin Uthayanaka)
Subject: Re: Clipper...Set Unique On/Off
Reply-To: g9utxu@fnma.COM
Organization: Fannie Mae
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 14:21:57 GMT

In article 18587@mindlink.bc.ca, John_Carson@mindlink.bc.ca (John Carson) writes:
>It has come to my attention on a client program that SET UNIQUE ON/OFF can be
>the start of corrupted index files. I assume that if you SET UNIQUE once with
>the database you must all the time. If at some location in the .PRG'S it
>isn't....trouble begins. I have not searched this out yet but will be
>checking into it today.
>
>Has anyone else had this problem?
>
>What pseudo code do you suggest do to solve duplicate records without using
>this SET UNIQUE ON/OFF.
>
>John
>
>--
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> John_Carson@MINDLINK.BC.CA <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>>>        D.John Carson    J & H Concepts   (604)589-5118         <<
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

John,

	If you are saying that some location in your .PRG is not setting unique on, 
then why don't you modify that .PRG (if you know which .PRG) to check for set unique 
(i.e. lUnique:=SET(_SET_UNIQUE)) and reset it. But if you do need to set unique off, 
that should not cause any problems either because all set unique does is modify the 
index header file at location 277 to 1.

	Now...if you want to simulate a set unique, you could probably do so with 
#command SKIP (your user define statement). You may also need to modify other 
clipper commands (i.e. INDEX ON) to simulate SET UNIQUE.

	Hope this helps.

Tanin
From: RROXBY@MAINE.MAINE.EDU (Robert Roxby)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Free or Shrwre Database Prog?
Date: 13 Dec 92 18:50:46 GMT
Organization: University of Maine System

If there is a decent free or shareware database program available
by ftp, I would appreciate hearing about it.  Thanks.  Robert
From: jgk@osc.COM (Joe Keane)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Re: DB Comparison - DISAPPOINTING RESULTS
Summary: Fixed-size fields are bad.
Keywords: length
Date: 9 Dec 92 22:39:47 GMT
Reply-To: Joe Keane <jgk@osc.com>
Organization: Versant Object Technology, Menlo Park, CA
Weather: rain, high 55, low 46
Moon-Phase: full

In article <168B18556.M22367@mwvm.mitre.org> M22367@mwvm.mitre.org writes:
>Now, I know it's not just a personal problem ;-) about structure.
>Look at your phonebook data -
> 
>Field         Length
>-----------   ------
>Last Name       40   (generous, but not loony)
>First Name      20   (   "    ,  "   "    "  )
>Street Addr1    30
>Street Addr2    30
>City            30
>State            2
>Zip              5
>Ext Zip          4
>Area Code        3
>Phone Number     7

>Anything unreasonable about that?  You wind up with a record of fixed length
>that can handle 99.99% of the data you will encounter.

Sorry, try again.  Your percentage is way too high.  The first and last names
look safe, but you never know.  The street addresses are likely to break for
some people.  The zip code is definitely not long enough, since ZIP+6 is just
around the corner.  The phone number won't work at all for anyone outside the
U.S. and Canada, but i guess that's OK for this application.  So that's one
problem, your structure *will* break for some people, and they won't be happy.

However, the real problem with the fixed-size structure is that it wastes a
lot of space.  Even though your structure only works sometimes, it still takes
up a total of 171 bytes.  In contrast, a typical record will actually use
around 60 bytes.  That means you're taking up *three times* as much space as
you need.  Even considering some overhead for a variable-length field, they
come out way ahead.

>My contention is that all-variable is not reason enough to buy Rev.

That's true, but providing only fixed-size fields is a good reason to not buy
a product.

--
Joe Keane, professional programmer
jgk@osc.com (uunet!amdcad!osc!jgk)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: karjarns@polaris.utu.fi (Kari J{rnstr|m)
Subject: CIA World Factbook
Organization: University of Turku, Finland
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 92 11:39:53 GMT

I just downloaded CIA World Factbook database from Funet.
Does anybody know any Database browser/searcher for this
database and where can I get it?

Kari Jarnstrom
University of Turku, Finland


Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: viking@iastate.edu (Dan Sorenson)
Subject: Re: Foxpro 2.0 on a network 
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 22:45:44 GMT

allenjm@eng.auburn.edu (John M. Allen) writes:

>So, to sum up my gibberish, 
>Does FoxPro 2.0 require a dedicated server and will 2.5 correct this?

	Fox will work fine off a Novell server.  Place it wherever you like
(mine is on path x:\foxpro\) and run it as you wish.  A 25MHz 386 box
running Novell 2.15c will keep up with 10 Fox users at a time, and those
fox users can be running any workstation you care for above an XT.  I've
found that 16MHz 286 machines with 2M of RAM are quite capable of handling
most usage, though a 386 with loads of extra memory speeds things up a lot.

	I have no idea what 2.5 is going to be like.  Somebody mentioned a
"six pack" network version.  If I have to pay extra for more than six users,
I'm sticking to version 2.0 -- I refuse to limit my software licenses.

< Dan Sorenson, DoD #1066 z1dan@exnet.iastate.edu viking@iastate.edu >
<  ISU only censors what I read, not what I say.  Don't blame them.  >
<  "This isn't an answer, it's a pagan dance around a midnight fire  >
<   written in intellectual runes." -- Rich Young                    >



Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: srlncnc@gopher.dosli.govt.nz (Chris Crook)
Subject: Population Paradox 4.0 memo fields
Organization: Department of Survey and Land Information, New Zealand
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 01:27:25 GMT



Do you know of a good way of populating memo fields in Paradox 4.0?

I have a large ASCII file containing fields over 256 characters long, which
I would like to put into MEMO fields.  Unfortunately the ASCII import in
Paradox does not support the MEMO field type.  Even if I break the field
up into alphanumeric fields of less than 256 characters I cannot combine
them simply to form a single memo field.

The only way I can see at present would be to read the entire file into
a memory variable, then parse it using PAL.  This would be very slow and
also difficult to generalize (or so it seems to me).

Is there a better way?

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions

Chris Crook

Newsgroups: comp.databases,comp.misc
From: lisken@lili11.uni-bielefeld.de (Sebastian Lisken)
Subject: time table search / journey finder program?
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 17:50:03 GMT
Organization: University of Bielefeld, F.R.G.
Followup-To: comp.misc

    Hallo everyone,

    I am involved with a student group at Bielefeld University (Federal
    Republic of Germany) which this summer has organized a deal with the
    local public transport association, enabling students to use
    regional trams and buses with their student I.D. accepted as a
    ticket. (This is paid for partly by an increased semester fee which
    every student has to pay, whether they use the offer or not - about
    20 Dollars per semester - and partly by state subsidies which
    previously went into students' individual season tickets. The idea
    has been frist introduced last year in the city of Darmstadt and is
    currently spreading in Germany under the name "semester ticket".)
    The group is now busy giving students advice on how to use our
    public transport - anything from explaining the very basics up to
    compiling local time tables for complicated connections where you
    have to change buses several times.

    We are now looking for a program enabling students to look up
    individual journeys on their own, i.e. ideally it would require
    students to enter nothing more than their departure and destination
    (which might again be simplified by first offering a map or a list
    of areas to select stations from) and the time of departure or
    arrival. Then the program would more or less automagically find
    the lines and connections and finally display and print a suggested
    schedule for this journey. Of course we would need a stable and
    comfortable user interface as well.

    Obviously it will be hard to find all of this in one Public Domain
    program. Therefore any useful hints will be appreciated, e.g. a
    program that comes with source code which could the job after adding
    some extensions, cheap commercial programs ... whatever springs to
    mind. The program would have to be integrated into the university
    librabry network which runs on PCs connected through Novell.

    Please reply via email, I will summarize if I receive such a request
    in the mail.

    Thanks a lot,

    Sebastian Lisken
    lisken@lili11.uni-bielefeld.de
From: athula@beta (Athula Herath)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: SQL-92
Date: 15 Dec 92 13:55:27 GMT
Organization: Keele University, England
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]



Hi,



Is the SQL-92 Standard published? If so does anybody know whether it is an
ANSI standard (or ISO)? and the reference number for the standard?



Many Thanks,


Athula.
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: pclarkson@mta.ca
Subject: Re: Interbase DBA requirements
Reply-To: pclarkson@mta.ca
Organization: Mount Allison U, Sackville, N.B. Canada 
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 17:33:52 GMT

In article <1992Dec7.033714.14856@panix.com>, coop@panix.com (Robert Cooper) writes:
>I'm looking to replace my company's current RDBMS (Ingres) with a product
>that runs on an RS/6000 AND does not requirer a very knowledgable DBA for
>its care and feeding.
>
>I've been very interested in Interbase for a while now and I like what I
>see. In fact the race seems to be between Interbase and Informix-SE. Can
>Interbase be handled by operations people once it is set up properly? Is
>Interbase really self-tuning? What about its resource consumptions? Is it
>as good as it seems?
>
>Thanks for any info you can give me.
>Robert Cooper
>coop@panix.com
>212-309-9600

As Applications Manager and DBA at our University I can confirm that 
Interbase does not require much maintenance once set up PROPERLY. About the
only thing I have to do for maintenance is about 2-3 times a year I perform
a database internal backup and restore to defragment the database 'file' in
order to reduce the size of the DB and optimize performance. Performance
of the DB is respectable. In order to make optimal use of the DB query
optimizer however your DB must be designed by someone who knows what they are
doing / who is familiar with this database software. If I knew then what I know
now, I would have designed the DB (indexes, triggers, etc) a little
differently.

BTW we use Interbase with Powerhouse 4gl on a VAX platform for University
administrative applications. Our ultimate goal is to have ALL apps
functioning on a global database shared by all related depts. That goal is
about 2 years away (we are 3 years into the effort). 

 Peter Clarkson
 Mount Allison University
 Sackville N.B.  Canada



Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: g9utxu@fnma.COM (Tanin Uthayanaka)
Subject: Re: Clipper Uploads
Reply-To: g9utxu@fnma.COM
Organization: Fannie Mae
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 15:21:13 GMT

In article Bys@l-gw.eur.nl, lagrouw@l-gw.eur.nl (Danny Lagrouw) writes:
>robert.laszko@filebank.cts.com (Robert Laszko) writes:
>
>>========================================================================
>>New Clipper Uploads to The File Bank BBS
>>For the period preceding 12/14/92.
>>========================================================================
>> ...Lots of files...
>>Courtesy of Bob Laszko                      The File Bank BBS
>>            Data Management Systems         Clipper Support Conference
>>            PO Box 2828                     Fallbrook, CA
>>            Fallbrook, CA  92088            1200 - 38,400 baud HST D/S
>>            (619) 728-0984                  8 nodes / RIME / Internet
>>                                            (619) 728-4318
>>---
>> . Via ProDoor 3.4R The File Bank BBS - Your connection to the World!
>>                                                                                                               
>Are these files available on any ftp site?
>
>Danny Lagrouw
>Erasmus University Rotterdam
>lagrouw@bios.frg.eur.nl


Good question...I'd like to know also.

Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: silverm@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Jeff Silverman)
Subject: Paradox 3.5 and SQLlink 4.0 and VAX/VMS rdb
Summary: I want to use a VAX as an SQL server for Paradox 3.5
Keywords: Paradox SQL SQLlink VAX/VMS rdb
Organization: Boeing Computer Services
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 23:42:51 GMT

I am running a VAXcluster with VMS 5.5-2 and RDB 4.1.  We were using Borland's
SQL link 1.0 and Paradox 3.5 running over pathworks 4.1 to access the data on
the VAXcluster.  When we updated rdb to 4.1 from 4.0, SQLlink stopped working.
We found out from our local distributor that we needed SQLlink 4.0.  Okay, we
need SQL link 4.0.  Do we also need to update to version 4.0 of Paradox?

I am having much trouble talking to anybody at Borland.  I called their tech
support number and spent 45 minutes listening to classical music.  I tried their
automated help system - that's no good.  Their Tech Fax service is clever and
I learned some answers to some other questions - but I work for Boeing where
we will spare no expense to save a few pennies.  So I can't use the 900 number,
I can't use Genie, or Compuserve or BIX.  Their sales people are no help - it's
a pity to because I may have to buy a couple of hundred copies of paradox for
all the PCs I support.  Does Borland have an Internet address?  I don't know.


Jeff Silverman, Boeing Commercial Airplane.
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: mprisco@lynx.cat.syr.edu ()
Subject: opinions wanted: rbase, paradox et al
Organization: Syracuse University
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 92 16:17:37 EST


I'm in the process of evaluating a database application that
is currently running on SAS on a mainframe.  It has already
been decided that the application will be moved from the mf.
Our options are: our Novell LAN or an IBM RISC 6000.  The
current DBMS on our LAN is Paradox.  I've only been playing  
with Paradox for a few days and have not been thrilled with it.
I really don't like the cheesey interface and while I would
like an easy-to-use interface for our users I have no need
for pulldown menus and windows (I think those things make it
complicated for them...).

I also have some complex programming to do and need several
tables.  I don't know if I should look at something like
Oracle....  I used to like Rbase but have been told that
it doesn't work very well with the LAN (or doesn't do
record level locking or something....), any ideas on this?
Also, I really know nothing about products for the RISC,
any suggestions for this platform would be appreciated.

Thanks, 
Margot (mprisco@cat.syr.edu)
--
--
"I think we're passing through here kind of fast,
  Did you think these tracks in the dust would last? "
                                         - David Crosby
Newsgroups: comp.databases
From: paulr@bts.com (Paul Raulerson)
Subject: FoxPro mailing list? 
Organization: Bux Technical Services -- Doylestown, PA
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 03:29:51 GMT
Keywords: FoxPro Mail List 

Anyone know of a mailing list for folks interested in FoxPro
development?  If so, please post here or drop me a line. :) 
Thanks!
-Paul
From: monty@blackhole.lerc.nasa.gov (Monty Andro)
Newsgroups: comp.databases
Subject: Is Foxpro 2.5 shipping ?
Date: 16 Dec 92 16:07:02 GMT
Distribution: comp
Organization: NASA Lewis Research Center


Is Foxpro 2.5 shipping yet ?  Has anyone ordered it yet ?

Monty