Base FAQ
Contents
Do I need Java to use Base?
Not strictly. Base is an application which enables you to access the database of your choice - this can be local databases like flat files, dBase files, server databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MS SQL Server, plus every database which you have an ODBC , JDBC, or ADO driver for.
However, by default OpenOffice.org creates all-in-one database files, using the HSQLDB database engine, which in fact is a Java database. So, if you have a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed, OpenOffice.org Base will create an embedded HSQLDB database when you choose "Create a new database" in the "New Database" wizard (File|New|Database
).
If you do not have a JRE, then the following functionality will not be available
- You will not be able to create, or open existing, all-in-one database files which facilitate the HSQLDB engine.
- You will not be able to run the table, query, form, and report wizard.
- You will not be able to connect to your database if you only have a JDBC connector.
Everything else continues to work. In particular, you can still work with databases other than HSQLDB.