HP 3000 Manuals HP 3000 Manuals
What Is ALLBASE/SQL? ALLBASE/SQL is Hewlett-Packard's proprietary relational database management system. Closely tuned to the architecture of HP computers, ALLBASE/SQL gives you enormous flexibility in designing and using SQL database applications on a small or large scale. ALLBASE is a family of relational database products that includes the components of ALLBASE/SQL and several related tools defined in the following paragraphs. SQLCore and DBCore Two components which together form the back end of ALLBASE/SQL. SQLCore accepts SQL commands and processes them; DBCore performs file access operations at the operating system level and also controls concurrent access to data, guaranteeing consistency. To use SQLCore and DBCore, you employ a front-end process, such as ISQL, ALLBASE/Query, or one of your own application programs. ISQL An interactive command processor which lets you enter SQL commands at the keyboard and observe query results, messages, and other information on a video display. Remember that SQL is a language--not a software system. So you need an interactive way to submit SQL commands to SQLCore and DBCore for processing. ISQL is the main tool used by ALLBASE/SQL programmers and database administrators to create and modify the schema of an ALLBASE/SQL DBEnvironment. It is also used by anyone who needs to submit queries using the SQL language. ISQL is especially useful for loading and unloading data. ALLBASE/Query A screen-oriented, menu-driven approach to designing queries and producing quick reports from data in ALLBASE/SQL databases. ALLBASE/Query contains extensive online help, so it is especially appropriate for occasional users. SQLUtil A database administrator's tool for displaying and setting the basic parameters of a DBEnvironment (explained further in the next section); storing and restoring DBEnvironments; setting the size of system buffers; and purging DBEnvironments. The database administrator (DBA) is the individual who creates and maintains objects in a DBEnvironment. SQLUtil is seldom needed by the ordinary user. SQLGEN A database administrator's tool that examines the structure of a DBEnvironment and creates files of SQL and ISQL commands for unloading it, re-creating it, and reloading it with data. The file for re-creating a DBEnvironment is sometimes known as a schema. The schema shows you all the CREATE commands that went into the original development of the DBEnvironment. ALLBASE/4GL A fourth-generation programming tool. ALLBASE/4GL is a screen-oriented, menu-driven environment that lets you design and build complete ALLBASE/SQL applications without conventional programming. Preprocessors Tools that convert source programs containing SQL commands into source code that can be compiled in a programming language of your choice. Different preprocessors let you code applications in C, COBOL, FORTRAN, and Pascal. ALLBASE/Net Software that permits you to set up and maintain DBEnvironments in networks. Through the NETUtil program, you make DBEnvironments on host systems available to local users. ALLBASE/Turbo CONNECT Software on MPE XL systems that lets you attach a TurboIMAGE database to a DBEnvironment and then use SQL to query the TurboIMAGE database as if it were a set of ALLBASE/SQL tables. Other Products Software that makes use of ALLBASE/SQL to meet specialized needs. Information Access/PC lets you access ALLBASE/SQL tables from your PC and integrate data from them into PC-based applications. Business Report Writer lets you develop complex reports using ALLBASE/SQL data as well as data from other sources.