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Subject: [os2genau_digest] No. 1750
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**************************************************
Monday 01 December 2008
 Number  1750
**************************************************

Subjects for today
 
1  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases : Nicholas Lysaght" <nicholasrf at gmail dot com>
2  Re:  Java programming : Simon Coulter <shc at flybynight dot com dot au>
3  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases : John Angelico" <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>
4  Re:  Java programming : Voytek Eymont" <voytek at sbt dot net dot au>
5  Re:  Java programming : Voytek Eymont" <voytek at sbt dot net dot au>
6  Re:  Java programming : Dennis Nolan <dennis at jeg-og dot com>
7  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases : Ed Durrant <edurrant at durrant dot mine dot nu>
8  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases : Ed Durrant <edurrant at durrant dot mine dot nu>
9  Re:  Java programming : Dennis Nolan <dennis at jeg-og dot com>
10  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases : John Angelico" <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>
11  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases : John Angelico" <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>

**= Email   1 ==========================**

Date:  Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:43:01 +0900
From:  "Nicholas Lysaght" <nicholasrf at gmail dot com>
Subject:  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases

Hi John.

Hope I'm not sticking my neck out here, but...

2008/11/30 John Angelico <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>

> Hi all.
>
> I have been given a CD of potentially useful stuff, but inevitably it
> seems, it's a Win-only thing.


Now there's a challenge  :-)

>
>
> I nearly gave up on the spot, but noticed a reference to mdb (ie. Microsoft
> Database = Access) files.
>
> The stuff I want is in the .mdb files. The (not pretty, not ugly maybe
> pretty ugly) stuff like VB scripts and ocx button controls I can do
> without.


If you know someone who runs MS Access that can successfully load your *.mdb
files, then Export your selection(s) as either plain text or comma delimited
files. I thinkl MS Access will let you do that. Transfer those files onto
eCs, and DBExpert, or most database programs will import that data to a
table of a database that you create.


>
> If I could run an install on a Win box, I wonder if I could zip up the
> unpacked collection, and move it over to eCS? But that would only be
> worthwhile IF I had a way of reading mdb files.
>
> I have OOo 2.4 but the Base component locks up my desktop. I have tried to
> find stuff in the Help to explain if it can read MS-Access files natively,
> but it certainly isn't explained in words of one syllable, so I am still
> not sure.


Hope that helps.

Regards

NICK

>
>
>
>
>
> Best regards
> John Angelico
> OS/2 SIG
> os2 at melbpc dot org dot au or
> talldad at kepl dot com dot au
> ___________________
>

>  

>

[attachments have been removed]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   2 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 1 Dec 2008 07:30:37 +1100
From:  Simon Coulter <shc at flybynight dot com dot au>
Subject:  Re:  Java programming


On 30/11/2008, at 10:53 PM, Peter Moylan wrote:

> Now, Java is supposed to be a modern programming language. For that  
> reason, I refuse to believe that it uses environment variables.  
> Whoever ported it to OS/2 has screwed up.


Nope, that's how Java works on all platforms. Almost every new  
developer screws up the CLASSPATH so they get a successful compile  
but it fails to run--then they wonder why. Of course this only  
happens on trivial programs--anything serious will need access to  
othe class libraries and if these are not in the classpath then the  
compile will fail too. Somehow that easier to understand than compile  
OK but run fails. Seems odd to me since most Java programmers are C  
programmers and it's quite possible to have a successful C compile  
fail to run.

Yes, that means the CLASSPATH can/will contain directories or jar/zip  
files that belong to unrelated applications. Yes, it's stupid but  
that's how it works. Think it's bad design? Take it up with SUN. You  
can override the CLASSPATH environment variable by specifying the - 
classpath switch on the java command. This can give the level of  
isolation you desire.

You have to keep track of which version of Java you are developing  
for (or which is required by your applications) and ensure your  
environment is set up correctly.

Sorry I cannot give you specific answers to your other questions. I  
no longer use OS/2 as my desktop and have moved to MacOS X (although  
Warp Server is still providing my mail server and a few other  
things). I still have an interest in OS/2 and when I have more free- 
time I want to investigate eCS hence my lurking on this list.

I did boot my old ThinkPad with Warp 4 and Java 1.1.8 and Java 1.3  
installed. I note that LIBPATH, PATH, DPATH and various other  
config.sys directives are set correctly by the 1.3 installer. It's  
been years since I did anything with Java on OS/2 but this system  
currently indicates that Java 1.3 is used for development but Java  
1.1 is used as the default run-time. I presume that's the default set  
up and that I would override to Java 1.3 when running 1.3 code.

CLASSPATH, SWING_HOME, and JAVA_HOME are not touched by the installer  
which is as I would expect because those are "user" settings that  
will affect how an application runs. Changing them could break  
existing applications.

Regards,
Simon Coulter.
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**= Email   3 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:47:26 +1000 (AEST)
From:  "John Angelico" <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>
Subject:  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases

On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:43:01 +0900, Nicholas Lysaght wrote:

Hi Nick

I must be a restless old curmudgeon - challenge is right. I want to unlock
stuff from the clutches of Windows... :-)
 
>
>> The stuff I want is in the .mdb files. The (not pretty, not ugly maybe
>> pretty ugly) stuff like VB scripts and ocx button controls I can do
>> without.
>
>
>If you know someone who runs MS Access that can successfully load your *.mdb
>files, then Export your selection(s) as either plain text or comma delimited
>files. I thinkl MS Access will let you do that. Transfer those files onto
>eCs, and DBExpert, or most database programs will import that data to a
>table of a database that you create.

The data is a "Searchable Bible in Contemporary English Version" consisting
of a mix of text blocks and graphics files, so some of that challenge will
be exploring the structure.

Yes, dBExpert and/or DB2 are available here.

I will try on the work WinXP box and see what I can bring home.

Thanks for the tip!


Best regards
John Angelico
OS/2 SIG
os2 at melbpc dot org dot au or 
talldad at kepl dot com dot au
___________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   4 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 1 Dec 2008 08:02:56 +1100 (EST)
From:  "Voytek Eymont" <voytek at sbt dot net dot au>
Subject:  Re:  Java programming


<quote who="Simon Coulter">

> On 30/11/2008, at 10:53 PM, Peter Moylan wrote:
s
> how it works. Think it's bad design? Take it up with SUN. You can override
> the CLASSPATH environment variable by specifying the - classpath switch on
> the java command. This can give the level of isolation you desire.

fwiw, I generally used CMDs to start up java-based stuff like:

0[roman][F:\jstreet]type js.cmd
rem set classpath=f:\jstreet\innoval.jar;f:\jstreet\HotJavaBean.jar
jre -cp f:\jstreet\innoval.jar;f:\jstreet\HotJavaBean.jar
innoval.mailer.jstreet


0[roman][F:\jstreet]type run.cmd
set classpath=f:\jstreet\innoval.jar;f:\jstreet\HotJavaBean.jar
java.exe innoval.mailer.jstreet

0[roman][F:\polarbar]type run.cmd
jre -cp pbm125a.zip;HotJavaBean.jar org.polarbar.mailer
0[roman][F:\polarbar]


-- 
Voytek

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**= Email   5 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 1 Dec 2008 08:07:40 +1100 (EST)
From:  "Voytek Eymont" <voytek at sbt dot net dot au>
Subject:  Re:  Java programming


<quote who="Simon Coulter">
>

> On 30/11/2008, at 10:53 PM, Peter Moylan wrote:


on the subject and Java and OS/2:

I just came across and app that is being developed in Java;
it's being done as cross-platform, meaning, windoze, mac, linux

what's the likelyhood that it will function under OS/2's Java ?
- none
- not likely
- perhaps
- who cares
- all of the above
- none of the above

hmmmmm, my jre is gone...


0[roman][F:\polarbar]jre
SYS1041: The name jre is not recognized as an
internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

0[roman][F:\polarbar]java -fullversion
java full version "J2RE 1.3.1 IBM build co131-20040517a"


-- 
Voytek

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
**= Email   6 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:08:11 +1100
From:  Dennis Nolan <dennis at jeg-og dot com>
Subject:  Re:  Java programming

Peter

It's a long time ago, but I seem to recall a need to have the class 
library included in the "*classpath*" statement in the config.sys.

If I recall correctly just issuing a *classpath* command at the command 
prompt will display the contents of the *classpath* variable. Sometimes 
undisplayable characters in the confiig.sys statement cut off parts of 
the command.
But then again you have probably already been aware of this.

Regards
Dennis.

Peter Moylan wrote:
> Has anyone ever written a Java program under OS/2? I've just tried a 
> simple "Hello World" program and it failed. The exact sequence of 
> commands was
>
>    javac HelloWorld.java
>    java HelloWorld.class
>
> and the error message was
>
>    java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: HelloWorld/class
>
> I suspect some sort of environment variable problem. Looking at my 
> CONFIG.SYS, it looks as if the "javac" command has run the version 
> 1.3.1 compiler, but some other environment variables are probably 
> pointing me to the version 1.1 directory. The CONFIG.SYS does not seem 
> to contain any reference at all to the latest installed version, 
> namely version 1.4.2.
>
> This suggests to me that
> (a) the installer is mixing up the versions; and
> (b) old versions are not being deleted when newer versions
>       are installed; and
> (c) the bugs have never been found because nobody has ever
>      used Java for OS/2.
>
> If anyone can point me to a counterexample to (c), I'd be grateful.
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   7 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:01:08 +1100
From:  Ed Durrant <edurrant at durrant dot mine dot nu>
Subject:  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases

One thought, What formats does the database in Open Office read ? I 
don't exepect it will read md, so its likely you'll need to convert to 
another format.

 There are websites that will convert MS format files into other 
formats, so that might avoid you having to find someone running windoze.

In fact the website might even convert direct to the format that you 
need  for an application you have.

I can't remember the URL - probably time to "google" I guess !

Cheers/2

Ed.


John Angelico wrote:
> On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:43:01 +0900, Nicholas Lysaght wrote:
>
> Hi Nick
>
> I must be a restless old curmudgeon - challenge is right. I want to unlock
> stuff from the clutches of Windows... :-)
>  
>   
>>> The stuff I want is in the .mdb files. The (not pretty, not ugly maybe
>>> pretty ugly) stuff like VB scripts and ocx button controls I can do
>>> without.
>>>       
>> If you know someone who runs MS Access that can successfully load your *.mdb
>> files, then Export your selection(s) as either plain text or comma delimited
>> files. I thinkl MS Access will let you do that. Transfer those files onto
>> eCs, and DBExpert, or most database programs will import that data to a
>> table of a database that you create.
>>     
>
> The data is a "Searchable Bible in Contemporary English Version" consisting
> of a mix of text blocks and graphics files, so some of that challenge will
> be exploring the structure.
>
> Yes, dBExpert and/or DB2 are available here.
>
> I will try on the work WinXP box and see what I can bring home.
>
> Thanks for the tip!
>
>
> Best regards
> John Angelico
> OS/2 SIG
> os2 at melbpc dot org dot au or 
> talldad at kepl dot com dot au
> ___________________

>  

>
>   

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   8 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:08:46 +1100
From:  Ed Durrant <edurrant at durrant dot mine dot nu>
Subject:  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases

Ed Durrant wrote:
> One thought, What formats does the database in Open Office read ? I 
> don't exepect it will read md, so its likely you'll need to convert to 
> another format.
>
> There are websites that will convert MS format files into other 
> formats, so that might avoid you having to find someone running windoze.
>
> In fact the website might even convert direct to the format that you 
> need  for an application you have.
>
> I can't remember the URL - probably time to "google" I guess !
>
> Cheers/2
>
> Ed.
>
>
> John Angelico wrote:
>> On Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:43:01 +0900, Nicholas Lysaght wrote:
>>
>> Hi Nick
>>
>> I must be a restless old curmudgeon - challenge is right. I want to 
>> unlock
>> stuff from the clutches of Windows... :-)
>>  
>>  
>>>> The stuff I want is in the .mdb files. The (not pretty, not ugly maybe
>>>> pretty ugly) stuff like VB scripts and ocx button controls I can do
>>>> without.
>>>>       
>>> If you know someone who runs MS Access that can successfully load 
>>> your *.mdb
>>> files, then Export your selection(s) as either plain text or comma 
>>> delimited
>>> files. I thinkl MS Access will let you do that. Transfer those files 
>>> onto
>>> eCs, and DBExpert, or most database programs will import that data to a
>>> table of a database that you create.
>>>     
>>
>> The data is a "Searchable Bible in Contemporary English Version" 
>> consisting
>> of a mix of text blocks and graphics files, so some of that challenge 
>> will
>> be exploring the structure.
>>
>> Yes, dBExpert and/or DB2 are available here.
>>
>> I will try on the work WinXP box and see what I can bring home.
>>
>> Thanks for the tip!
>>
>>
>> Best regards
>> John Angelico
>> OS/2 SIG
>> os2 at melbpc dot org dot au or talldad at kepl dot com dot au
>> ___________________
> 
>>
>>  
>
>>
>>   
>
 
>
> 

>
This looks interesting:

http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget dot com/tip/0,289483,sid39_gci1236205,00.html

Accessing access databases from Open Office Base - but I don't think 
Base is in the free versions of OO is it ?

Here's a chargable web site to perform file conversions - I believe 
there is a free one somewhere but my have some limitations:
http://www.file-convert dot com/online.htm?o=gooAd

Cheers/2

Ed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   9 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:54:21 +1100
From:  Dennis Nolan <dennis at jeg-og dot com>
Subject:  Re:  Java programming

Peter,

Java also makes use of include commands for project files.

And though I only glanced at the results a google search for

os/2 java include

returned the follownig results which might be worth reading.


http://www.os2world dot com/java/

http://www.3cat dot com/java_os2/javaos2.html

http://www.doofus dot org/Java/

Regards
Dennis.

Peter Moylan wrote:
> Peter Moylan wrote:
>> That still leaves a puzzle. My CLASSPATH is now
>>
>> SET 
>> CLASSPATH=.;C:\JAVA11\LIB\SecMa.jar;C:\java11\Swing\swingall.jar;C:\java11\lib\classes.zip;.\.;C:\OS2\JAVAAPPS\LVMGUI.ZIP;C:\TCPIP\java; 
>>
> Aha! I've just noticed something that perfectly illustrates what I 
> mentioned in another message. This CLASSPATH includes the LVMGUI 
> directory. In other words, EVERY Java application gets to search a 
> directory that belongs to one project. A directory that should have 
> been private to LVMGUI project. There is nothing global about that 
> directory. It should have been omitted from the global CLASSPATH.
>
> I have argued elsewhere that environment variables are a symptom of 
> obsolescent operating systems. Why? Because they promote 
> PROJECT-SPECIFIC data to the status of GLOBAL variables. That's bad 
> for two reasons. First, because once you've installed a few 
> applications your PATH blows out to an unreasonable size. (That's very 
> obvious in older versions of Windows. In newer versions you instead 
> put program-specific data into a global registry, which is just as 
> bad; but that's another subject.) Second, because information that is 
> supposed to be private is instead made public. That's not merely a 
> confidentiality violation; it's much worse. It means that EVERY 
> application has to worry about conflicts with every other application. 
> Not just the presently installed applications, but every conceivable 
> future application.
>
> Now, Java is supposed to be a modern programming language. For that 
> reason, I refuse to believe that it uses environment variables. 
> Whoever ported it to OS/2 has screwed up.
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   10 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:41:50 +1000 (AEST)
From:  "John Angelico" <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>
Subject:  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases

On Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:08:46 +1100, Ed Durrant wrote:

Hi Ed.

>This looks interesting:
>
>http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget dot com/tip/0,289483,sid39_gci1236205,00.html

Very interesting. Looks like the way to go.

All I have to do is pick up the mdb files and drop them into my OS/2 box.

>Accessing access databases from Open Office Base - but I don't think 
>Base is in the free versions of OO is it ?

It seems to be here on my system, and I just renewed my 12 months support
at Mensys to get the 2.4 version.


Best regards
John Angelico
OS/2 SIG
os2 at melbpc dot org dot au or 
talldad at kepl dot com dot au
___________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

**= Email   11 ==========================**

Date:  Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:37:57 +1000 (AEST)
From:  "John Angelico" <talldad at kepl dot com dot au>
Subject:  Re:  Accessing Access(Jet) Databases

On Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:01:08 +1100, Ed Durrant wrote:

Hi Ed.

>One thought, What formats does the database in Open Office read ? I 
>don't exepect it will read md, so its likely you'll need to convert to 
>another format.

I was trying with OOo2.4 to check just that, but opening up Base on my
system just locked up the WPS (consistently).

>
> There are websites that will convert MS format files into other 
>formats, so that might avoid you having to find someone running windoze.

Yes, my first option will be to take it to work and chuck it onto the
WinXP, then read it into OOo 3 for Win, then save/export the data I want (a
lot of it!). Then I can feed it into anything available on OS/2 -
preferably DB2 already running. Then I can use dBExpert or Rexx to view it.

>In fact the website might even convert direct to the format that you 
>need  for an application you have.

>I can't remember the URL - probably time to "google" I guess !

That would be my next option, but the size may be an issue. The free ones
often limit you to a meg or two. 


Best regards
John Angelico
OS/2 SIG
os2 at melbpc dot org dot au or 
talldad at kepl dot com dot au
___________________
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