Dean's Director FAQ - DATABASES
Another FAQ exists at
MediaMacros, which
is new and extensive.
Databases
Question: How do you use a database with Director?
Answer:
To include a database with Director, you will need:
1. An Xtra
2. Use of ASP/PHP/PERL over a net connection.
Director Online have very good articles on using databases at:
- Building
the Right Database For Your Director Application
- Using
Director with Databases: Part 1
- Using
Director with Databases: Part 2
- Using
Director with Databases: Part 3
Macromedia also have a technote on Using
databases with Director.
Xtras
The Valentina database
Xtra for Macromedia Director (V4MD) by Paradigma Software:
Valentina is an extremely fast and powerful cross-platform (Win, Mac, MacOS
X), cross-application, Object-Relational SQL database. It executes operations
in hundreds and sometimes 1000 times faster than other databases. Valentina
has all types of fields from Bit to BLOB and Picture (i.e. allows you easy
create multi-media dbs). Valentina provides reach set of features:
SQL, full text indexing, RegEx search, encryption, compression, and calculation
fields. It can be used with a lot of APIs: Director, C/C++, Java, COM, REALbasic,
PHP, Objective-C, AppleScript, xCards, WebSiphon.
You can download fully functional software from their site with all features
enabled. However, programs used in the demo mode (unregistered) are time-restricted
to function only 10 minutes per launch, although you can launch them an
unlimited number of times. This time-restriction is lifted when the program
is registered.
The INM V12
database Xtra (V12-DBE ) allows you to create and manipulate a database
through Director. It is Shockwave-safe, is 100% Mac-Win compatible (even
on MacOS X), requires no DLL installation and no advanced database development
skills. Fully functional versions can be download for testing. However,
they will display an INM splash screen upon startup unless a license is
purchased.
OPENDBC is another Director database Xtra. The OpenDBC Connectivity Kit provides database connectivity for Director and Authorware on both Windows and Macintosh platforms. It will allow connection to ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) supported databases, including Microsoft Access, FoxPro, SQLServer, Excel, Text Files, FileMaker Pro, Oracle, Sybase, Ingres and Paradox.
An advantage is it is very fast and easy to use (uses SQL like statements
within Director). A drawback is it requires a SYSTEM DNS set-up on the host
machine. If your client is only going to run the projector on a specific
set of computers, then this won't be a problem.
Check Macromedia's
listing of Xtras.