Blog
To enum or not to enum?
I’ve never used database columns that embedded defined valid values within the schema definition. Within MySQL there are 2 definitions, ENUM and SET. There are a few reasons why, but first an explanation of these data types.
Read morePlaying .avi files under Linux
Got myself some .avi files but didn’t have a player under CenOS 4.2. MPlayer would appear to rate well as a media player for linux. <br /> yum install mplayer<br /> yum install lame<br /> `
Read moreSupport for Technology Stacks
As part of my next conference presentation Overcoming the Challenges of Establishing Service and Support Channels I’ve been struggling to find with my professional sources, any quality organisations that provide full support for a technology stack, for example a LAMP stack, or a Java Servlet stack.
Read moreBook Review – Beyond Java
Well the title got me when I decided to purchase this book “Beyond Java – A glimpse at the Future of Programming Languages”, however perhaps it should have been titled “Why to move from Java to Ruby” as the book for a good portion is an explanation of how Ruby solves the problems that Java has and the direction Java is moving.
Read moreDowngrading a MySQL schema from 5 to 4
Why oh why would you want to do this. Well it my case, I’ve committed to developing a web application using MySQL 5 features, knowing that I had to upgrade my production server from 4.
Read moreThe challenges of compiling non working Open Source (Part 3)?
I’m not there yet with compiling MySQL Workbench from the previously released 1.0.0-alpha source for linux. I’d like to think I’m getting closer but not really certain. I’m getting good response to my Bug Report #16604 from MySQL Staff.
Read moreUsing Google Talk with Gaim
I signed up for Google Talk some time ago, but just could not get the sucker to operate within Gaim successfully. Seems I was missing an advanced setting as found at http://www.
Read moreThe challenges of compiling non working Open Source (Part 2)?
Did I push to much in my last post? I don’t think so, but I guess it’s a fragile balance sometimes in Open Source between those keen end users, and the developers that do give so much towards their own creations (I understand, I’m in that category myself).
Read moreThe challenges of compiling non working Open Source?
One of the great benefits of Open Source, it’s Free, and you can get great support, sometimes even from the developers directly (rather then 5 levels of paid customer support for a commercial product).
Read moreDatabase Modelling Software for MySQL
I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. I’ve been using DBDesigner 4 from FabForce, an open source visual design tool, and apart from working around a number of bugs, I’ve found it practical to design from scratch.
Read moreHow many installations, and just what are they doing?
Would it not be great if on the MySQL website there was a page of stats (updated daily) that provided statistics like number of installations, a breakdown of versions registered (not certain I like that exact word) , OS’s, countries etc.
Read moreMySQL 5.1 is gaining some momentum
It wasn’t that long ago that MySQL released the GA Release of Version 5.0 with major new features (Oct 24 2005). It still took 5.0 about a year to go from alpha to GA, however I’d suspect a much shorter turnaround this time.
Read moreUnit Testing A Database
In a recent job interview I was asked the question regarding Unit Testing/Automated Testing of a Database? An interesting question and indeed an interesting problem. I thought it was a good topic to describe what I’ve done in the past, and where I would go for a more complete testing environment given the opportunity of a entire XP project.
Read moreSome light hearted Google Fun
Sometimes I wonder how I get to trivial information. Well in the Wikipedia article Google Hoaxes you will find that the Google search engine is valid in a number of unusual languages including Klingon.
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