Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!usc!samsung!munnari.oz.au!bunyip!lance!kirk!cameron
From: cameron@kirk.nmg.bu.oz (Cameron Stevenson)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.hypercard
Subject: Re: database access in SuperCard (or HyperCard)
Message-ID: <1299@kirk.nmg.bu.oz>
Date: 20 Jul 90 20:16:37 GMT
References: <1990Jul19.035636.14352@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: Network Management Group, Bond University, Australia
Lines: 53

From article <1990Jul19.035636.14352@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, by pjzg1012@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Peter J Ziemkowski):
> HELP!  I need to access a database from within another application.  In this 
> case SuperCard 1.5.  I've heard of HyperHit.  Anybody ever use it?  Talk to
> 
> I've also heard that Oracle has some sort of Hypercard Interface.  Has 
> anybody ever used that?

Yes, Oracle do provide a Hypercard interface through an XCMD (part of the
Oracle for Macintosh product). We have been using this product (Oracle) for
about a year now and find it great.

Some of the features/limitations:

1. HyperCard becomes a front-end for the database. This allows interaction
with a full RDBMS in totally new ways; data takes on whole new meaning. For
instance, building graphic related displays based on information from the
database is quite easy.

2. The Oracle engine does not need to reside on the Mac. In other words, there
is little change in the HyperCard side of things to get at data that may be
residing on a central database (a mainframe running Oracle holding corporate
information, etc.). You just log into the remote database (through HyperCard)
and Oracle network drivers take over. From there all calls to the database
are the same as if you were using your local database; they're just sent over
the network, and come back the same way.

3. Oracle claim that it is possible to extend that network capability further
and relate remote data to local data (ie. hold personnel data in the central
database, and rooms that people occupy in your local database, and issue a
query like "select all people who will have a birthday next week, who are in
offices on the third floor of this building). We haven't tried this so I can
only relate what I've been told...

4. Along the same lines, Oracle claim that it is possible to use the Oracle
for Macintosh product as a front-end for other brand databases. Those
mentioned in the brochure include DB2 and SQL/DS. Don't know what these
products are or if it works...

5. And the downside is that the product is not cheap (~$2000AUS), and requires
at least 2mb of RAM. We have found that 2.5mb is a more realistic minimum, and
4-5 is comfortable. This is because HyperCard takes an obligatory 1mb
(Supercard takes more I gather), and Oracle steals 700k at startup time. That's
damn near 2mb before you have your system stuff, and all the rest...

On the whole though, this is a very powerful product. The database engine is
the same as the engine Oracle use on their other platforms. In other words
it is a full RDBMS, as close as you can get to an industry standard, is very
robust, and has all sorts of security features built-in. This is not to say
that it is what you may be after, but thought you might like to know about it.

Cameron Stephenson                        Telephone  +61 75 951220
Bond University
Gold Coast    Australia