Hi all,
Ain't learning curves wonderful. I'm relatively new to Delphi and completely
new to Interbase. I'm totally confused about Firebird and Interbase, should
I use tools like IBOjects, which Database Administration tool should I use,
etc? Here are my questions:
1) When I downloaded Firebird and installed it I didn't see a 'Server
Manager' like the install with Interbase 6 has. Is there one? How do you
setup Firebird for a local server and a remote server, how do you set
Firebird up with an IB Console and Server Manager, etc:?
2) Should I be using Firebird or Interbase 6? Looks like from the mail lists
that folks are working hard on Firebird. Who knows what 'B' is doing
3) Which of the following do I need:
IBExpert,
Marathon,
InterBase Workbench,
QuickDesk,
IB-WISQL,
IB Console,
?????????, or
none
4) IBOjects seems to be the only set of components for Interbase; or is that
they are the best set of components? Since I'm used to Delphi and Paradox
which has many components available; I'm not sure what to do? Please help.
5) How in the world do you modify the "structure" of a table of an Interbase
gdb? With the Database Desktop I could modify a paradox table, e.g. change
the field name or the type of field. How is that done with interbase? Can
that be done with any of the tools listed in 3) above? I've tried to edit a
field with several of them but to no avail.
6) For a couple of weeks I have been subscribed to several mail lists
(IB-Support, IBObjects, IB-Delphi, IBDI, Interbaseworkbench, IB-Priorities,
IB-Support and a bunch of Delphi lists - for many months) and have been
trying to get a grasp of what's going on. Regardless of the Borland/et ali
problem and the QuickDesk and IB Expert problem; I simply want to go through
the learning curve as painlessly and quickly as I can. I'm not into
re-invention, many of you have already discovered what really works and what
really helps getting a product to the client. Please let me know and please
turn me on to the best help channels.
7) I've gotten Getting Started with IBObjects and I'm working myself through
it.
8) What's going to happen when Jason Wharton decides that he wants to kick
back and just enjoy the wife and children?
9) What's in it for the Ann's/husband, the Helen's, the Jason's and you
other folks who are working on Firebird, etc?

Thanks to all of you who so willingly share your expertise with all the rest
of us.

Charlie

PS Thank you Jason and Helen for you previous responses.