Start working with Firebird Sql ServerWhat is Firebird SQL
Server? What Firebird version to choose? Firebird installation:
choosing server type Firebird Super Server Firebird Classic Server
Firebird Embedded If it is difficult to choose Start working with
Firebird New Firebird database creation Firebird security SYSDBA
User. Changing default password Connection to Firebird from
client's application Firebird and VBScript, Visual Basic, VBA
Firebird and Delphi Firebird and .Net Firebird and C++ Firebird
database editing The List of Firebird administration utilities
Useful links
What is Firebird SQL Server?Firebird SQL Server is a database
server based on Interbase 6.0. open source code. There exist
Firebird distribution packages for Windows, Linux, Unix, Solaris,
MacOS, 32- and 64-bit architecture. Firebird SQL Server is
distributed free of charge and has no license restrictions.
What Firebird version to choose?The newest version for today is
Firebird 2.5. The stable version Firebird 2.1. Download Firebird
2.1 Download Firebird 2.5
Firebird installation: choosing server typeFirebird SQL server
is available in 3 variants: Firebird Super Server Firebird Classic
Server Firebird Embedded
Firebird Super ServerFirebird Super Server - all client's
connections are served by the single server process, there is
common client's cache. This allows spending fewer resources for
clients serving. Firebird Super Server disadvantage is absence
of the ability to involve several processors for Firebird server
work.
Firebird Classic ServerFirebird Classic Server creates separate
server processes for each client's connection. Firebird Classic
Server architecture is more reliable, as failure of one server
process does not cause rejection to serve all the clients. In
addition Firebird Classic allows involvement of multiprocessor
architecture. While installing Firebird you may choose between
Firebird Super Server and Firebird Classic.
Firebird EmbeddedFirebird Embedded Server is designated for
embedded databases. It consists of one dll - fbembed.dll that
includes a client and a server of Firebird Super Server. Firebird
Embedded does not need to be installed on the client's work
station. It is sufficient just to copy fbembed.dll and some more
files to the client's computer. Firebird Embedded disadvantage is
impossibility of simultaneous connection of several clients to the
single database. After successful connection Firebird Embedded
blocks database file for the exclusive access. Firebird Embedded
Server has separate distribution package. Download the archive with
Firebird Embedded..
If it is difficult to chooseIf you are hesitating what Firebird
installation type to choose use Firebird Super Server. In future
you will change the server architecture easily.
Start working with FirebirdYou may use test database
employee.fdb to familiarize with Firebird. It is included into
installation kit and is located in the folder Program
Files\Firebird\Firebird\examples\empbuild\.
New Firebird database creationTo create empty Firebird database:
start the utility: C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird\bin\isql.exe
perform database creation instruction: Use CONNECT or CREATE
DATABASE to specify a database SQL> CREATE DATABASE
'localhost:d:\temp\test.fdb' user 'SYSDBA' password 'masterkey'
DEFAULT CHARACTER SET WIN1251;
In ISQL each expression ends with semicolon. Connection can be
tested by running the query: SQL> select MON$DATABASE_NAME from
MON$DATABASE;
If everything has been done in the right way it will return the
path to the connected database:
=====================================================================
===== D:\TEMP\TEST.FDB
Firebird securityFirebird keeps all users in a single auxiliary
database security.fdb. Starting from Firebird 2.1 SSPI
authentication with Windows tools is supported. Domain
administrators of database level are identified as SYSDBA
superusers. It is planned to implement the ability of storing users
in the client's database in Firebird 3.0.
SYSDBA User. Changing default passwordSYSDBA is administrative
Firebird user with exclusive rights. Default Firebird password is
masterkey. To change password use gsec utility from Firebird:
c:\Program Files\Firebird\bin>gsec GSEC> modify SYSDBA -pw
NEW_PASS With gsec utility you may create, delete, modify and view
users. You may get the full list of commands by typing help.
Connection to Firebird from client's applicationFirst download
and install the package of IBProvider Professional Edition.
IBProvider Professional Edition is the set of COM-components that
allows working with any version of Firebird and Interbase. The
components are supported by most development tools: Delphi, C++
Builder, Visual C++, .Net Framework, C#, Visual Basic, VBScript,
VBA and others. Let's write simple VBScript to check connection to
Firebird. Create empty vbs file and paste the following code into
it stating the right path to the database:
Dim cn, cmd, rs, i Set cn = CreateObject
("ADODB.Connection")
cn.Open "Provider=LCPI.IBProvider.3;" & _ "Data
Source=localhost:d:\temp\test.fdb; " & _ "User Id=SYSDBA;"
& _ "password=masterkey;" & _ "ctype=win1251;" & _
"auto_commit=true" set rs = cn.execute("select * from
MON$ATTACHMENTS") do while not rs.EOF for i=0 to rs.Fields.Count -
1 wscript.echo rs(i).Name & "=" & rs(i).Value next
rs.MoveNext loop rs.close cn.close Run the script in the command
line to see the list of active connections to the database.
Firebird and VBScript, Visual Basic, VBAFor the access to
Firebird and Interbase from VBScript, VBA, Visual Basic ADO library
is used (ActiveX Data Objects). You will find a lot of examples of
working with the library in the documentation: examples of
Interbase, Firebird VBScript, VBA, Visual Basic.
Firebird and DelphiIBProvider offers several means of working
with Interbase and Firebird from Delphi: dbGo (ADO Express)
components working via ADO library. Direct access to COM-interfaces
of ADO bypassing dbGo components. Direct access to COM-interfaces
of OLE DB using external VCL-component (OLE DB Direct/OLE DB
Express). Firebird Delphi, Interbase Delphi examples of work.
Firebird and .NetTo access Firebird from .Net ADO .Net library
is used. IBProvider site contains large step-by-step manual
dedicated to working with Firebird in Visual Studio .Net (ADO
.Net). Additional materials to the topic: Examples of working with
ADO .Net for beginners Firebird 2.0. Examples for ADO .Net (c#)
Firebird 2.1. Examples for ADO .Net (c#)
Firebird and C++IBProvider Professional Edition includes C++
library for working with OLE DB providers. It is the fastest means
of working with OLE DB providers from Visual C++ 2005-2008 and from
C++ Builder. Examples for Firebird C++ and Interbase C++
Firebird database editingYou need to create tables, links
between tables, primary keys, indexes, stored procedures,
generators and other objects. To edit Firebird databases you may
use isql.exe utility: Create the table:
SQL> CREATE TABLE cross_rate CON> ( CON> from_currency
VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL, CON> to_currency VARCHAR(10) NOT NULL,
CON> conv_rate FLOAT NOT NULL, CON> update_date DATE, CON>
CON> PRIMARY KEY (from_currency, to_currency) CON> ); Than
paste one entry and select from the table:
SQL> INSERT INTO cross_rate VALUES ('Dollar', 'CdnDlr',
'11/22/93'); SQL> SELECT * from cross_rate; FROM_CURRENCY
TO_CURRENCY CONV_RATE UPDATE_DATE ============= ===========
============== =========== Dollar CdnDlr 1.3273000 1993-11-22
1.3273,
There are many graphic utilities of Firebird administration
other than isql.
The List of Firebird Administration UtilitiesFlameRobin
FlameRobin - Supports Firebird. Cross-platform editor of SQL, DDL,
management of users. License: open source, distributed free of
charge. www: FlameRobin
IBExpert IBExpert - Supports Firebird, Interbase, Yaffil. DDL
and DML editors, visual query builder, code auto completion,
Metadata Extractor, and many other capabilities. License: from 179
euro. www: IBExpert IB/FB Development Studio IB/FB Development
Studio - Supports Firebird, Interbase. Visual database designer,
embedded MERGE, scheduler, code auto completion, query analyzer,
performance monitor. License: from 149 euro. www: IB/FB Development
Studio Blaze Top Blaze Top - Supports Firebird, Interbase.
Developer and database administrator tool. License: from 129 euro.
www: Blaze Top Database Workbench Database Workbench - Supports
several database servers including Firebird and Interbase. Stored
procedures debugging, analysis of plans, embedded data mining and
metadata transfer. Licensed separately for Interbase and Firebird.
171$ for each engine (Interbase or Firebird). www: Database
Workbench
