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Page contents © TK Boyd, Sheepdog Software, 3/13.

Using Open Office's database ("Base") as front end for multi-user access to MySQL database

Connecting several concurrent users to a MySQL database

This essay is somewhat skeletal at present... but I hope it will never- the- less guide and/ or comfort you.

Before you can use Base as your front end for multi-user access to a MySQL server, you need quite a few things in place. How to get them there is the subject of other tutorials from me.

Before you attempt multi-user access... it does work, by the way... get a MySQL server and an Open Office "Base" client, or front end, co-existing happily in a single PC.

The next stage is to get several PCs on a LAN all talking nicely to a MySQL server on some PC on the same LAN.

Once all that is in place, you can go for multi-user access, with some machines signing into the MySQL server remotely, i.e. across the internet, or "WAN".

Getting that set up may give you a few headaches... But it is a sophisticated system, with lots to recommend it. (Also free and multi-platform, I'm glad to say.)

Until that much is working, there is not point in starting on the challenges of extending it to a multi-user scenario. You really will be making life difficult for yourself if you try to "run" before you are "walking" smoothly.

I've written elsewhere in general terms about MySQL, and client/ server computing. You can do it!

Early experiences to give us all hope....

I have got the following to seem to work, if only for a few "test it" experiments.

As I've said... on other pages, I've explained how to have a database on a MySQL server, with an Open Office Base front end/ client. With both server and client on the same PC. Be sure all of that is working well before you start the following extensions. I will be using the same MySQL server as before, on the PC it was initially set up on. The MySQL server is all you need for what follows. It is not necessary at this stage to upgrade to a WAMP or LAMP server... though I hope you will embark on that "fun", too, one day.

Before you can connect multiple concurrent users to the MySQL server, or even just one, but from "outside", from someplace out on the internet, the "WAN", beyond our LAN....

Before you can do either of those things, you will need to master some things which come up when you have the MySQL server on one PC, and the Open Office Base (or other client program) front end on a different PC on the LAN.

Go off and read the separate page about that, and then come back here (there's a link for you at the end of it) to read more about setting up remote access. (It should open in a new window or tab, so you can also get back here simply by closing the page about a single client using the MySQL server across the LAN.)

Connect multiple users across LAN

Once you have a user which can access the server from out on the LAN, you can use multiple instances of that "user" to access the server multiple ways, or simply user multiple instances of that "user" to even have that to concurrently accessing the server from multiple clients!

In other words, once you've cracked having a client access the server across the LAN, you are ready to have multi-user access.

However... do remember the caution that was issued in the page about setting up the "from out on the LAN" user, the caution about things which can arise if there are multiple concurrent users.

I believe "record locking" is possible... but I can't tell you much about it (yet), except that it is probably part of the answer to the problems I've alluded to.

And for later... Really, really cool...

Now.. how about connecting to a MySQL server across the internet?

As I have said at several prior points... it really isn't too hard to take the next few steps... IF you are starting from the right place. If you have everything set up properly so that you can use a MySQL server on your LAN from a different PC on the LAN, then I have a separate page for you with "all" that is left in order to access that server via the WAN.

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Editorial Philosophy

I dislike 'fancy' websites more concerned with a flashy appearance than for good content. For a pretty picture, I can go to an art gallery. Not everyone has fast broadband.

I present this material in a format aimed at to helping you USE it. There are two aspects to that: The way it is split up, and the way it is posted..

Please remember the material is copyright. (TK Boyd, 2006 and later) The procedures in the page just cited are suggested only for convenient personal use of the material, however, also....

Feel free to use this information in computer courses, etc, but a credit of the source, quoting the URL, would be appreciated. If you simply copy the pages to other web pages you will do your readers a disservice: Your copies won't stay current. Far better to link to the original pages, and then your readers will see up-to-date versions. For those who care- thank you. I have posted a page with more information on what copyright waivers I extend, and suggestions for those who wish to put this material on CDs, etc. (There is at least one prison using Sheepdog Software/ Sheepdog Guides material for inmate education. Situations do exist where good internet connections are not possible!)

Translations are welcomed. Tell me about yours, so I can post links to it. (More information at the page about copyright waivers.)

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If you liked this tutorial, see my main webpage for more things from the same author.

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