macOS SQLite Front End / Development

[MacVault]

Just looking for SQLite resources for OS X. Anyone know where I would start to write an SQLite database to manage my personal finances, PDF library, etc? I've had it with Quicken, MS Money, etc. So I'd like to write my own PFM in SQLite. I don't want my data hostage to a QIF/OFX file, etc.

So, would SQLite be a good thing to use for this? Or is full blown SQL better? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[kainjow]

SQLite is just a database, a storage format. You need a way to interact with that database, through a programming language. There are ways to interact with the dbs through existing applications, but those cost money.

 

[robbieduncan]

The "easiest" way is to create a SQLLite backed CoreData Cocoa project. This will give you a lot of the data access and stuff for more or less free...

 

[robbieduncan]

The more I think about this the less I think you want SQLite. You don't sound like a programmer. You want something like MS Access. Technically this is not a database. It's a database with a 4GL GUI/Query builder on top.

So the Mac equivalent is FileMaker.

 

[MacVault]

The more I think about this the less I think you want SQLite. You don't sound like a programmer.

You want something like MS Access....

MS Access?? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Access is a TOTAL ABOMINATION!!!!! BLASPHEMY! ACCESS NEEDS TO GO TO H3LL!!!!

FileMaker, on the other hand is pretty nice but I don't know how long it will live into the future. I don't have any inside info, it just seems like Filemaker is kindof "proprietary" and only for a niche market, if you know what I mean.

I'm thinking of SQL because it's a standard. You're right, I don't know SQL and I'm not a programmer. I'm a network admin though and it would help my job if I'd learn a little SQL anyway.

But as for MS Access - NOOOOOOOOOO GOD! PLEASE, NOOOOO! ACCESS IS EVIL!

 

[kainjow]

FileMaker, on the other hand is pretty nice but I don't know how long it will live into the future. I don't have any inside info, it just seems like Filemaker is kindof "proprietary" and only for a niche market, if you know what I mean.

FileMaker is here to stay. I know some guys who are third-party developers for FileMaker, and they made good $$ off it. Yes I too had no idea people actually used it, but I guess its niche market is very strong.

 

[robbieduncan]

I'm thinking of SQL because it's a standard. You're right, I don't know SQL and I'm not a programmer. I'm a network admin though and it would help my job if I'd learn a little SQL anyway.

Well if you want to actually learn SQL scratch the CoreData idea as well then: it abstracts the data store so you don't use any real raw SQL. I don't think SQLLite implements most of the SQL standard anyway.

If you really want to learn full on SQL install Sybase or Oracle...

 

[Lazarus Long]

I would recommend you try RealBasic. It will allow you to create and use SQLite databases with ease.

 

[barefeettom]

Just looking for SQLite resources for OS X. Anyone know where I would start to write an SQLite database to manage my personal finances, PDF library, etc?

You could either:

1. Launch Terminal and type:

sqlite3 Finances.db
> CREATE TABLE Expenses (id INTEGER AUTO INCREMENT, Amount REAL, Date, Description TEXT);
> INSERT INTO Expenses VALUES (NULL, 15.50, '2007-02-18', 'Train');
> INSERT INTO Expenses VALUES (NULL, 3.75, '2007-02-18', 'Pen');
> .q

OR:

2. Use one of these apps:
SQLite Database Browser: http://sqlitebrowser.sourceforge.net/
SQLiteQuery: http://www.software-by-mabe.com/software/freeware.html#sqlitequery
SQLiteManager: http://www.sqlabs.net/sqlitemanager.php

Tom