OpenOffice.org Base
Encyclopedia
OpenOffice.org Base a database module, initially appeared with OpenOffice.org
version 2.0. As of 2010, it builds on the HSQLDB
database engine
written in Java
.
OpenOffice.org users can connect to external full-featured SQL
databases such as MySQL
, PostgreSQL
and Oracle
through ODBC or JDBC drivers. OpenOffice.org Base can hence act as a GUI frontend for SQL views, table-design and query. In addition, OpenOffice.org has its own Form wizard to create dialog windows for form filling and updates.
Released under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public Licence, Base is free software
.
, but decided to use HSQLDB
after evaluating the features, connectivity and embed quality of both database engines.
software. Base is integrated into the rest of the OpenOffice.org
productivity suite. It can provide mail merge
functionality in conjunction with Writer
and spreadsheet integration with Calc
.
the version first integrated with OOo 2.0. (They have appealed for contributions to fulfill all the feature targets, since the core database engine itself is an independent project with no external funding.)
As a result, HSQLDB 2.0 was released in 2010 with a vast list of improvements and new features
HSQLDB 2.x is scheduled for inclusion in OpenOffice.org 3.4,
although LibreOffice
has yet to commit.
OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org, commonly known as OOo or OpenOffice, is an open-source application suite whose main components are for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. OpenOffice is available for a number of different computer operating systems, is distributed as free software...
version 2.0. As of 2010, it builds on the HSQLDB
HSQLDB
HSQLDB is a relational database management system written in Java. It has a JDBC driver and supports a large subset of SQL-92 and SQL:2008 standards. It offers a fast, small database engine which offers both in-memory and disk-based tables...
database engine
Database engine
A database engine is the underlying software component that a database management system uses to create, read, update and delete data from a database....
written in Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
.
OpenOffice.org users can connect to external full-featured SQL
SQL
SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....
databases such as MySQL
MySQL
MySQL officially, but also commonly "My Sequel") is a relational database management system that runs as a server providing multi-user access to a number of databases. It is named after developer Michael Widenius' daughter, My...
, PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL
PostgreSQL, often simply Postgres, is an object-relational database management system available for many platforms including Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, MS Windows and Mac OS X. It is released under the PostgreSQL License, which is an MIT-style license, and is thus free and open source software...
and Oracle
Oracle database
The Oracle Database is an object-relational database management system produced and marketed by Oracle Corporation....
through ODBC or JDBC drivers. OpenOffice.org Base can hence act as a GUI frontend for SQL views, table-design and query. In addition, OpenOffice.org has its own Form wizard to create dialog windows for form filling and updates.
Released under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public Licence, Base is free software
Free software
Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
.
Product specifications
Early provisions for integration with database information appear in the Open Office Specification version 1.0.History
The OpenOffice.org team evaluated another database engine, SQLiteSQLite
SQLite is an ACID-compliant embedded relational database management system contained in a relatively small C programming library. The source code for SQLite is in the public domain and implements most of the SQL standard...
, but decided to use HSQLDB
HSQLDB
HSQLDB is a relational database management system written in Java. It has a JDBC driver and supports a large subset of SQL-92 and SQL:2008 standards. It offers a fast, small database engine which offers both in-memory and disk-based tables...
after evaluating the features, connectivity and embed quality of both database engines.
Functionality
Starting with version 2.3, Base offers report-generation based on PentahoPentaho
The Pentaho BI Suite is open source Business Intelligence suite with integrated reporting, dashboard, data mining, workflow and ETL capabilities. Pentaho is headquartered in Orlando, USA.- Overview :...
software. Base is integrated into the rest of the OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org, commonly known as OOo or OpenOffice, is an open-source application suite whose main components are for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. OpenOffice is available for a number of different computer operating systems, is distributed as free software...
productivity suite. It can provide mail merge
Mail merge
Mail merge is a software function which allows to create multiple documents from a single template form and a structured data source.-History:This technique of merging data to create gave rise to the term mail merge....
functionality in conjunction with Writer
OpenOffice.org Writer
OpenOffice.org Writer is the word processor component of the OpenOffice.org software package. Writer is a word processor similar to Microsoft Word and Corel's WordPerfect, with some of their features....
and spreadsheet integration with Calc
OpenOffice.org Calc
OpenOffice.org Calc is the spreadsheet component of the OpenOffice.org software package.Calc is similar to Microsoft Excel, with a roughly equivalent range of features. Calc is capable of opening and saving most spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel file format...
.
Limitations
The HSQLDB developers have suggested only 76% of the target has been met in the 1.8.0 release,the version first integrated with OOo 2.0. (They have appealed for contributions to fulfill all the feature targets, since the core database engine itself is an independent project with no external funding.)
As a result, HSQLDB 2.0 was released in 2010 with a vast list of improvements and new features
HSQLDB 2.x is scheduled for inclusion in OpenOffice.org 3.4,
although LibreOffice
LibreOffice
LibreOffice is a free and open source office suite developed by The Document Foundation as a fork of OpenOffice.org. It is largely compatible with other major office suites, including Microsoft Office, and available on a variety of platforms...
has yet to commit.
Documentation
OpenOffice.org provides a full integrated help system, as well as tutorial documentation and a web-based wiki.See also
- HSQLDBHSQLDBHSQLDB is a relational database management system written in Java. It has a JDBC driver and supports a large subset of SQL-92 and SQL:2008 standards. It offers a fast, small database engine which offers both in-memory and disk-based tables...
- KexiKexiKexi is an integrated data management application, designed to fill the gap between spreadsheets and database solutions requiring more sophisticated development...
- a similar free softwareFree softwareFree software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with restrictions that only ensure that further recipients can also do...
/open sourceOpen sourceThe term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
application - Comparison of office suites
External links
- Base information page
- HSQL and OpenOffice.org
- User resources at OOo Wiki
- Tutorials for new and intermediate ooBase users, from Sheepdog Guides
General articles and resources
- OpenOffice.org database application: A first look review
- OpenOffice.org Base by Kevin Shockey, from TuxMagazine issue 10, p.41-46 (free PDF download after registration, lesson on creating new table and form in Base)
- OpenOffice.org Writer Does More Than Just Word Processing by Kevin Shockey, from TuxMagazine issue 11, p.23-29 (lesson on Mail Merge that combines Base with Writer to provide new powerful functionality)
- OpenOffice.org Base forum, with links to several tutorials and guides
- Andrew Pitonyak's documents on using Macros with OOo Base
- OpenOffice.org Base 2.0 (a book published in German)
- Tutorials on using ooBase from Sheepdog Guides
Database connection articles
- Getting Started with Base: Introduction to Data Sources (pdf)
- Also from Database Access Project:
External Resources, Specific problems, and Database Drivers for connecting to third-party database - Other articles
- StarOffice 7 Setting Up Database Connections Guide - a little dated for OOo 2.0, provided here for reference