Hi Cassandra,

> I am brand new to all this.
> I have just finished a university degree (in computer science) which
> included a unit of databases, but I am still so lost with it all.
>
> I am writing a small application (and some DLLs) that work with a

database,

> so I have spent the last few days trying to determine the difference

between

> all the different RDMSs and which one would most suit my needs.
>
> I have been best adviced to use Firebird, and have downloaded the

following

> files:
> fbmgr_english.zip

A control panel applet to stop/start the Firebird server.

> Firebird_v1_releaseNotes.pdf

The latest small-info of Firebird 1.0...

> Firebird-1.0.2.908-Win32.exe

The server and client software.

> ibadmin3.zip

A third-party tool to administer Firebird - there are many (also see
www.upscene.com for a cheaper alternative).

> I also am using Borland CBuilder6.
> I am also running all of this on a win98 standalone machine.
>
> I have nothing else. I have installed the Firebird-1.0.2.908-Win32.exe,

and

> the server is now running.
> I was asked whether I wanted to use guardian (and said yes), I have also
> unzipped the fbmgr to c:\windows\system. And installed ibadmin3.
>
> Yet I still have no idea what to do.
> I played a little with ibadmin3 but it kept wanting database
> username/passwords, which I don't have, I don't have any databases, and I

do

> not know how to create them.

Somewhere, there must be a "create database" button in IBAdmin.

If not, use the command-line tool "isql" that comes with Firebird.

For more detailed docs, better download the InterBase 6 beta-docs
from http://info.borland.com/techpubs/interbase/
Not entirely the same, but Firebird is derived from InterBase.


With regards,

Martijn Tonies
InterBase Workbench - the developer tool for InterBase & Firebird
Firebird Workbench - the developer tool for Firebird
Upscene Productions
http://www.upscene.com

"This is an object-oriented system.
If we change anything, the users object."