Introduction download sample code
This article covers the basics of using SQLite open-source database engine with Basic4ppc. It focuses on simple scenarios and is accompanied by a full sample code, built gradually along the tutorial.
Goals, Scope and Examples in this article
The goal of this article is to give a new user the tools to build, from scratch, a data-driven application with Basic4ppc and SQLite. It covers a simple scenario (in order to focus on the fundamentals of SQL with Basic4ppc). It supplies references to external resources for a complete learning process. Although it does not cover everything, following all links supplied will lead you through all knowledge resources needed for a complete understanding of SQL, SQLite and data driven application development with Basic4ppc.
What is needed to use this tutorial:
Basic4ppc can be downloaded here.
Links in this tutorial may refer to resources on the web. If you read this article using the offline help you might not be able to follow all links unless you are connected to the internet. However, some other links link to places within this article.
A .net library named System.Data.SQLite that can be downloaded at http://sqlite.phxsoftware.com.
Basic4ppc SQLite libraries (.dlls) are distributed with Basic4ppc.
SQLite Browser is optional. One such browser can be downloaded here. We will use screenshots from this browser in the manual demonstration part of this reference. A detailed example of the browser usage is found there.
.Net Compact Framework (CF) 2.0 should be installed in order to use the most recent version of SQLite libraries.
Examples accompany this reference, combining together the fully-functional program that manages a small restaurant's order taking system. Each part of the reference discusses different part of the program hence a partial code is attached. The design of the sample is described in details here.The complete source code is here.
What is SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a programming language designed for the management of data in a relational database management system (RDBMS). Many database systems support SQL, and it is the most common language in use in business database systems.
SQL syntax and logic are simple and easy to understand. Yet they exceed the scope of this article. Many free tutorial exist on the web. One such tutorial is at the w3school site.
What is SQLite
SQLite is an open source library that implements a self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration, transactionalSQL database engine. SQLite homepage supplies all information needed for a complete understanding of the concepts and the extent of usage worldwide. SQLite documentation will supply you with extensive knowledge, yet will not explain how to build, from scratch, an data-driven application with Basic4ppc.
How to use this reference
Read through the Table of Contents and see if you are familiar with any of them.
Download the source code attached.
Skip what you know.
Read the rest. Run the source code in debug mode.
Go to the next page: Getting started with SQLite