Need some help.

[OLD MAN]

I am interested in doing a parts cross reference. This would be in an application, but later maybe also over the web. I am a business manager so please understand that I know what I want, but not how to get it.

I am looking for a recommendation on the database and also on the software to query the database. (Not sure if I termed that correctly.)

I am not completely computer ignorant, but this is way beyond my abilities at present.

Thanks,
Old Man

[v0id]

There's a lot of different databases, and they all have their own advantages. It's hard for us to recommend a database with the little information you're giving us. I think it'd be easier for us, if you could tell us what kind of information you want to save, how much, etc.
You could also read about the major databases yourself on the Internet. Some of the major ones includes MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, etc.
This link could might be interesting for you as well.

[OLD MAN]

Sorry for not answering sooner. Inventory weekend.
The database would need to have a list of parts different numbers that are all grouped. Each one of the parts needs to have it's own set of data specifications and drawing, but the drawing could be generic for each sub group of parts.

The program that (drives?) the database would be a main menu with 5 or 6 submenus.

The database is a collection of parts that would have a few subgroups. Industry, type, etc...

Doest this help?

Thanks,
Old Man

[WingedPanther]

Almost any database could do what you are talking about. The issue will probably be determined by the language you write the program in, more than anything else.

[OLD MAN]

I thought maybe that was the case.
My main purpose for asking was to get feedback based on the Windows platform.

So what database would be most Windows friendly and what language would you recommend for the querying program?

Thanks,
Old Man

[WingedPanther]

Databases tend to be OS neutral. The real question is: how many users do you plan to have on it at once, and how large do you expect it to be?

[OLD MAN]

Initially the desktop app. would only need to be 1 - 10 users. I would need a single user version and an NT version?

The heart of what I need to know is do I look for a programmer that can handle Java, C, C++, etc...

Which one of these would be the best for my situation?

Thanks,
Old Man

[WingedPanther]

You will have a Single-User client at each workstation, along with a central database that they all connect to. This could be done in any of the languages you mentioned.

[jonmacpherson]

I would recommend Visual Basic, or C. But I could write this program in perl, and use a web interface to get to the data. I have done this for news management .....

I would imagine their is an application already written out there that you could simply purchase.

For the non-programmer, I would recommend FileMaker. I have seen some pretty good applications put together quickly and easily with it.