[comp.databases] Suitable DBMS for tiny application

sjg@sun0.melb.bull.oz.au (Simon J. Gerraty) (08/07/90)

I am posting this for a friend.  Please reply by e-mail to 
sjg@sun0.bull.oz.au
I'll summarise if need be.

I have been asked to pick a developemnt environment for a simple
database application.   The number of screens (forms not
terminals) involved is not many (< 50), and the database size is
small (< 3000 records).  The system is to run on an IBM PC (AT)
or compatible.

Being a UNIX type myself, I would have written the whole thing
in C on my system (UNIX) then compiled it on the PC....
However the person doing this project is a Pick programmer, who
was happy to to a quick and dirty Pick system.   However we both
feel that Pick is not the ideal long term platform for a PC or
this application.
Therefor my friend is contemplating picking up a new language
(or whatever) to do this project.  It should be possible to run
up this system in a few weeks.

The basic requirement is for an application generator, and an
effective DBMS.  Although the current project is tiny, the
chosen system should be able to handle larger more complex
projects.  Also, availablity of the system on non-PC platforms
is a must.  An SQL query facility, would be nice as would
embeded SQL in the development language.

I am interested in comments from folk who have used:
Dataflex,
Oracle,
Others... ?

I would like to know:
Cost of development system	(I am in Australia by foreign
Cost of runtime system		prices would still be of interest)
Source				(if you are in Australia)
Hardware requirements
- CPU
- RAM
- DISK
Effectiveness of application generator and/or language
(obviously subjective, but useful none the less).
Other platforms the DBMS is available for.

I would prefer something that could run on an 8MHz AT with 640KB
RAM and 20MB disk. 

Does anything fit my need.  I know old dBase could do it, so I
am sure that others could.  But as I said, I am after something
that does not lock the application(s) into a PC platform.

Thanks very much.
--
Simon J. Gerraty			<sjg@sun0.melb.bull.oz.au>

#include <disclaimer>             /* imagine something *very* witty here */