Database Assistant Quick Start


1. After starting the Database Assistant application, select the data source that corresponds to the database that you want to review from the list of system data sources.  The system data sources are those that are defined for your computer via the ODBCAD32.EXE application.

Note: Only Microsoft Access, SQL Server, Oracle, and Informix databases are currently officially supported.  Some DBase databases may also be compatible.




2. At the prompt, enter the user name and password for the database corresponding to your data source if applicable.




3. After the main screen opens, click the Select Table button located on the menu bar or choose the Select Table menu option from the Commands menu. Once the dialog screen opens, choose the table you want to query or edit and click the OK button.




4. Use the Query , Add , Update , and Remove buttons to invoke the various data manipulation operations.

The Execute button is used to commit an operation and the Cancel button is used to abort an operation.

The First , Previous , Next , and Last buttons are used to navigate through the records in the query list. To perform specialized queries you may use wildcards in the fields. To learn how to optimize your queries by using special characters go to Using Wildcards in Queries.




5. To avoid having to log into a database at program startup and to make a database available in the Database drop down menu for quick access, you may pre-configure databases by supplying the information necessary to connect to each database in advance.

If you haven't chosen the Alter ODBC Registry Information option in the Edit Options screen, all you need to enter in order to configure a database is the Database Type, the Data Source, a Database Description, and the User Name and Password for the database.

If you have chosen to use the Alter ODBC Registry Information feature, you will be required to enter more data and the information that is required will vary based upon the database type of the database being configured. For example, an Oracle database will require a TNS name, while an Informix database requires a listing for the Informix Server. Depending on the database type selected, some of the boxes will be disabled because they may not be relevant to the selected database type.

Once all of the required information has been entered, click the Save button. The new database will then be saved into the Database drop down menu on the main screen.