University of California at Berkeley
           Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences
                         Instructional Support Group

					  		          May 11 2011

/share/b/pub/database.help
/share/b/pub/minibase.help
/share/b/pub/access.help
/share/b/pub/mysql.help
/share/b/pub/mssql.help
/share/b/pub/postgres.help
/share/b/pub/ingres.help

CONTENTS
	Minibase
	Microsoft Access and SQL Server
	MySQL
	Postgres
	Ingres
	Data Retention Policy


This is a summary of database applications available on EECS Instructional
computers.   Contact inst@eecs.berkeley.edu if you wish to use any
of them for a class.


Minibase
--------
  Minibase is a database management system intended for educational use, 
  developed at the University of Wisconsin.  CS186 used the 'minibase' 
  database on the EECS Instructional UNIX systems until about 2006.
  
  Minibase was installed in the ~cs186 instructor UNIX home directory.

  The Minibase URL is http://www.cs.wisc.edu/coral/minibase/minibase.html


Microsoft Access and SQL Server
-------------------------------
  MicroSoft Access is installed on all EECS Instructional Windows computers 
  as bpart of the MicroSoft Office suite.   Access can be used for simple 
  applications that store the database files in the user's home folder.

  Microsoft SQL Server was available on scotland.cs.berkeley.edu for EECS
  classes.   Please contact inst@eecs.berkeley.edu if you wish to use
  it, so that they can restore it to service, create a database account 
  and insure that the ODBC drivers are installed on the workstations you 
  will use.  You can use MS Access to connect to MS SQL Server.

  In addition, we can provide WEB sites on scotland.cs.berkeley.edu for 
  students who are in a class that requires development of database 
  applications via a WEB interface.


MySQL
-----
  MySQL is an open-source SQL database that is provided by the Swedish
  company MySQL AB.  MySQL is simpler than Postgres because it lacks 
  transaction control (commit and rollback).  It is a good choice for simple 
  Unix databases and Apache WEB applications.

  MySQL is available on the EECS Instructional UNIX systems but may need to
  be installed specifically for a class that needs to use it.

  The free version of MySQL is available from
  http://www.mysql.com/products/database/mysql/community_edition.html

  The http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu WEB server is running on a Solaris X86
  server.  MySQL is installed in /usr/sfw/bin/mysql in this server and on 
  our other Solaris X86 servers and workstations (for the hostnames, see 
  http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/clients.cgi?choice=275soda and 
  http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/clients.cgi?choice=servers).
 
  You could also download and customize your own copy of the "x86" version
  from http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/os-solaris.html.

  There are other mySQL servers that you might use:

    http://docs.ocf.berkeley.edu/wiki/MySQL_support (free)
    http://ist.berkeley.edu/services/ds/db/mysql/basic ($18/month)


Postgres
--------
  Postgres is an open-source database that was originally developed by the UC
  Berkeley DBMS Research Group. It is now supported by PostgreSQL Global
  Development Group.  It is a full-featured SQL server.
  
  Postgresql is installed on a dedicated EECS Instructional UNIX server.

  The PostgreSQL URL is http://www.postgresql.org/

  Troubleshooting:

  	"What are the .nfs* files in my $PGDATA/globals/ directory?"

  	The .nfs* files get created when you start Postgres and it is 
	using your $PGDATA/globals folder.  Stop Postgres and the .nfs* 
	files will disappear.  You can find your Postgres processes 
	with the UNIX command 'ps -f'.

Ingres
------
  Ingres is a commercially-supported database.  It was developed by the UC
  Berkeley DBMS Research Group.  It is now owned by Computer Associates 
  International, Inc.  
  
  EECS Instruction no longer supports an Ingres server.  Database classes now 
  use 'minibase'.  Other databases are available, including Microsoft Access 
  and SQL Server, and Postgres. (Jan 2001)

  The Ingres URL is http://www.ingres.com


Data Retention Policy
---------------------

  SQL databases that that are stored in a user's home directory
  will remain available for as long as the user's account exists.  
  That is because the repository is included in the disk quota for
  that user, so there are controls on the size.  
  
  SQL databases that are created for class accounts and groups will 
  be archived and deleted at the end of each semester.  We do not 
  support permament, group repositories at this time.
  
  This policy is because we can't afford to store and archive ever-
  growing, unlimited data stores.


					EECS Instructional Support Group
					378/386 Cory, 333 Soda
					inst@eecs.berkeley.edu