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In the world of computer information management
there are two primary forms of databases: flat file and client/server. Flat file
databases are those like dBase, FoxPro, Access, Paradox, Clipper, Lotus, and
Excel. dBase was the first relational database system and all other flat file
databases still have its basic functionality and purpose. Flat file databases
provide a basic and simple means for storage and access of data.
Client/server databases are advanced storage and
access of data. It is used where huge amounts of data are accessed
simultaneously by a large number of users. Examples of client/server databases
are Interbase, Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase, Informix, and DB2. The Asseal
Accouting system can use all of these databases, however
Oracle is its native system.
Client/server is based on a physical separation
between the data storage and the user. The computer that stores the data is a
network server that provides data storage in a central location while allowing
multiple networked computers, and thus multiple users, to access this stored
data. The data that is stored on the network server is termed the database
server. A single networked computer, or a workstation, is where the user types
and enters the data and is termed the database client. The database server and
the database client create an inseparable pair called the client/server database
system.
The database server provides the central location
and storage of the data. This allows many users, or clients, to access this
common pool of information. A robust database server, like Oracle, will also
provide server based programs and functionality. These server side programs can
act directly on the data without sending information across the network to the
client. This allows calculation intensive procedures to occur only on the
server. Most network servers are much more powerful and efficient then the
clients within the network. Therefore, this speed and power can be exploited
directly without increasing the network traffic or relying on a slower client to
perform the task.
The database client is a program that runs on a
computer workstation, otherwise known as simply the client. The client provides
a user interface and access to the networked database server and its
corresponding data. In other words, the client is the program, and its
associated computer, where the user enters and accesses the data. This allows
the slower, less intense, calculations to be performed on the slower client
computers within the network.
In summary, a client/server database system
provides the maximum speed and multiple user access to the central and common
data. The Asseal Accouting system fully embraces the
client/server concept. It can access any robust database server, such as Oracle
, while exploiting its server side programs and procedures. This greatly
increases the efficiency of the server and network.
The Asseal Accouting program is the
database client that provides a quick and user-friendly interface to the
database server. Asseal Accouting system is a thin
client, this means that the client program is extremely small and fully
implements client side programs.
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