RE: Re: extremely newbie questions

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nicholas Chan [mailto:yumin@pl.jaring.my]
> Sent: 22 January 2001 14:26
> To: Postgresql Interfaces
> Subject: [INTERFACES] Re: extremely newbie questions
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks for your reply, Dave.
> 
> 
> > > 2) where can I find a sample database which can be used 
> for pgAdmin?
> > >    Can any regular database created by Microsoft Access be used?
> > >    (*.mdb)
> > 
> > No, you you can't use mdb's (though pgAdmin can migrate 
> them for you). You
> > need to install PostgreSQL on your linux box - you can get this from
> > ftp.postgresql.org, or some distros such as Suse and Redhat 
> come with rpms.
> 
>   So this means that I can't use pgAdmin unless my pc is 
> connected to a
>   linux box? Oh :(

You can compile PostgreSQL to run on your PC if you are running NT4 or W2K
(that's how I develop pgAdmin when I'm parked in front of the telly at home
with my laptop!). You need to use the Cygwin package - there are
instructions in the PostgreSQL tarball.

>   So are there any other alternatives on using PostgreSQL on a
> standalone
>   windows based PC? And are there any converters around to convert
>   microsoft based databases to a PostgreSQL readable format?

Yes, pgAdmin does that (converts Access tables/indexes but *not* programs to
PostgreSQL). I think a little clarification is needed here: pgAdmin is an
admin/design tool for the PostgreSQL database system. PostgreSQL is *not*
just a file like a simple Access database, it is a program that accepts and
processes SQL queries and returns resultsets when appropriate. It has it's
own data files that pgAdmin knows nothing about. 

Typically PostgreSQL will run on a server and accept connections from 1 or
many (perhaps hundereds) of client programs (or people running the same
program). pgAdmin is one such program that just happens to be designed to
help manage and build your databases.

Check out www.postgresql.org for more info.

Regards,

Dave.