Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!samsung!munnari.oz.au!bunyip!lance!kirk!cameron From: cameron@kirk.nmg.bu.oz (Cameron Stevenson) Newsgroups: comp.databases Subject: Re: Relational Database, with a Graphical type field Message-ID: <1077@kirk.nmg.bu.oz> Date: 27 Jun 90 22:24:42 GMT References: Organization: Network Management Group, Bond University, Australia Lines: 46 From article , by bg0l+@andrew.cmu.edu (Bruce E. Golightly): > We're looking at some similar areas for our next round of development. > As the providers of voice and data services for the university, we must > manage a cable plant, which implies that we need to handle maps and plans > showing the locations of cables, wiring closets and outlets. Given those > goals, I am starting to look at the kinds of things mentioned. > > Carnegie Mellon uses Ingres for administrative data base applications. A > extension to Ingres has recently been announced that supports user-defined > data types. I believe that this may be the key to what we wish to do. > > More news as it develops. We do exactly the same thing here at Bond University. However, we are not trying to hold all the information within a relational database. Instead, we run a CAD package (MicroStation - from Intergraph) to hold the graphical information. This package allows for links between the graphical elements and relational elements (rows in a table). The range of link types are supported ie. one to one, one to many, many to one, etc.. The links are maintained by the CAD package, and run through Intergraph's relational server. This effectively allows the CAD package to talk to 'any' database which conforms to ANSI SQL. Currently there are links to ORACLE, Ingres, and Informix. Having established the links, it is possible to execute SQL queries through the graphics system, to the relational database, and have the results displayed graphically ie. hilite in red all data outlets with PC's attached. Intergraph also sell a development package which can handle these capabilities through a forms based application, complete with screen gadgets (a sort of SuperHyperCard ??). ALSO ... without sounding too much like an advertisement ... MicroStation runs on PC's (currently links to dBase, with hints of links to ORACLE), Mac's (links to ORACLE), Intergraph's workstations (Sun/Apollo/Silicon competitors) with all the goodies I mentioned earlier (relational server, development package, links to multiple database systems). If that wasn't enough, MicroStation will support both raster and vector graphics. So getting floor plan information into the system can be extremely quick. Send me some mail if you want more information, but I'd suggest you give it a look if you haven't already considered it. Cameron Stephenson Telephone +61 75 951220 Bond University Gold Coast Australia