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624<br />

Database Programming<br />

2. Use your favorite <strong>programming</strong> language, such as C++ or BASIC, to<br />

create a user interface <strong>for</strong> that database.<br />

This approach takes advantage of the database program’s strengths<br />

(designing database structures and manipulating data) while avoiding<br />

its weakness in designing user interfaces. General-purpose languages,<br />

like C++ or BASIC, are much better <strong>for</strong> designing user interfaces, which<br />

can make your database program much easier to use.<br />

If you have a lot of time on your hands, create an entire database from scratch<br />

with C++ or BASIC. However, if you don’t want the hassle of creating an entire<br />

database management system yourself, buy a commercial database program<br />

and customize it using the database program’s own <strong>programming</strong> language.<br />

This second approach is the most common solution <strong>for</strong> creating database<br />

programs.<br />

If you find a database <strong>programming</strong> language too clumsy or too restrictive<br />

<strong>for</strong> designing user interfaces, write your own user interface in your favorite<br />

<strong>programming</strong> language and slap it on an existing database program. This<br />

may involve the hassle of integrating your user interface (written in C++)<br />

with the database file and data manipulating commands created by a database<br />

program (such as Microsoft Access).<br />

Ultimately, database <strong>programming</strong> involves making data easy to access and<br />

retrieve no matter which method you choose. Because storing in<strong>for</strong>mation is<br />

so crucial in any industry, database <strong>programming</strong> will always be in demand.<br />

If you figure out how to design and program databases, you’ll always have<br />

plenty of work to choose from.

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