BAREFEET  Base is a neat reliable SQLite GUI app.

It's good to see tat the latest version has fixed a few problems, such as opening database files on AppleShare volumes and altering (add column or rename) of tables containing a space in the name. The syntax coloring is good (including known functions) but could be improved.

The biggest drawback for me is that Base, like many other similar apps, doesn't facilitate editing of data in views.

I'd also like to see:

1. The ability to drag entities into the SQL editor, since the entity browser is conveniently always visible.

2. A quick filter and/or search refinement for the entity list and the data viewer.

3. NULL showing as a blank cell but somehow distinct from text (eg a color or something to show it's different to an empty string).

4. Show triggers and indexes with the table/view that owns them.

I've published a detailed comparison of Base and other SQLite GUI apps here:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/?mu  
(Version 1.3.2)

BAREFEET  Froq leads in many features over rival SQLite capable GUI editors.

The ability to drag entities (views and tables) into the SQL editor and the pop up autocompletion are great, but need refinement. Eg entity names should be quoted (eg if containing a space) and column names should appear in the autocompletion pop up (eg after the "where" clause when the table has already been specified after "from".

It still has problems with data entry changes, often giving "database locked" or "invalid entry" errors where it shouldn't. In the process it damaged at least one of by databases.

I'd still like to see Froq capable of editing data in views which would make it usable on everyday databases for me.

I've updated the comparison review at:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/?mu  
(Version 2.2)

BAREFEET  I disagree with your comment for three reasons:

1. SQLiteManager is a great program. Dismissing it because it's by an independent developer is losing useful functionality. There are things this program (and others like it) do that have no equivalent from a large company. If we ignored all of the independently developed programs, we'd lose 50 to 90% of the innovative software available.

2. SQLiteManager creates and uses SQLite database files. This is effectively an open standard for database files. Even if SQLiteManager disappeared tomorrow, you could still use the database files it creates with a dozen other programs for Mac, PC, Linux etc that all use the same file format. Contrast this with a big company's program such as FileMaker whose files can only be read by that program.

3. SQLiteManager is not abandoned. The developer has indicated ongoing development for months and released a new version a few weeks after your comment.

You can see SQLiteManager along side other SQLite GUI apps at:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/?mu

Tom

BareFeet  
(Version 3.0.2)

BAREFEET  Here's a detailed comparison of SQLGrinder with alternative SQLite GUI programs:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/

Overall SQLGrinder stacks up reasonably well. The GUI is very nice. The biggest problem is probably the inability to show the actual SQL of the schema (SQLGrinder rewrites it in the output, see the "Edit/view SQL of selected table, view" entry in the comparison site above).  
(Version 2.0.8)

BAREFEET  Here's a detailed comparison of RazorSQL with alternative SQLite GUI programs:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/  
(Version 4.2.4)

BAREFEET  Here's a detailed comparison of DbVisualizer with alternative SQLite GUI programs:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/  
(Version 6.0.10)

BAREFEET  SQLiteManager is a fairly thorough app. It provides a neat GUI into SQLite if you know your SQL. It offers basic data viewing/editing facilities.

Unlike many alternative applications, SQLiteManager does open SQLite database files on AppleShare volumes, uses a proper Mac OS Cocoa GUI (not ugly Java) and allows editing of views.

See a detailed comparison here:

[url]http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/[/url]  
(Version 2.6.2)

BAREFEET  Froq is coming along very nicely. Contrary to the previous review, I think the green motif and icons adds to its charm while still being professional.

The lack of support for editing in views is a show stopper for me, but the SQL syntax coloring and quickfind features are up with the best I've seen.

I've published a detailed comparison of features in Froq and other SQLite editors for Mac at:

http://www.tandb.com.au/sqlite/compare/

Tom

BareFeet  
(Version 2.0rc4)

BAREFEET  Some more comments:

It's great to see this as a native Cocoa app, rather than some of the ugly Java alternatives. MesaSQLite opens database files on AppleShare volumes, which a few others choke on.

The query builder is very good, but it would be nice to have a one click way to show all the data in the selected table (eg in the table list) in one click.

Nulls and empty string entries are indistinguishable.

The entity/tables browser needs a few bugs fixed, such as not showing single quotes in table names (which result from "alter table rename to" command) and truncated name when followed by a -- comment. Alpha sorting would be helpful and perhaps filtering (by name).

Editing data is done in cell mode (one large wrapped text field in a panel) only. Cell mode is great for long text, but in-situ editing in cells in the column view would be faster for multiple edits. A line/form mode (fields down the page, for one record) would also be a good option.

The GUI for "add table" and the "Content" query editor are very good, with a polished Mac feel and helpful popups like options for what is contained in the desired field. SQL editing (in the "Custom Query" tab) is very basic and only in a small field in a panel. It has no syntax coloring, quick entry tools (such as drag from a list of tables). The GUI does 70% of the job (or probably 95% for beginners), but the lack of SQL Editor features make the remaining 30% a bit tedious. Lack of support for views to save queries limits the usefulness of queries and the "Save query to favorites" is a poor substitute, reinventing the wheel and stores a global list that shows irrelevant queries when in another database file.

Great work so far :-)  
(Version 1.6.8)

BAREFEET  Here are a few more points:

7. I notice that if I "Add" a row, enter the value for one column, I have to click on another row to make it save the changes to the first row. Perhaps a "Save" button or similar would make this more direct and obvious. Also, I notice that Froq seems to insert a value for every column, perhaps nulls or "" (hopefully not) for those columns where I didn't enter data. I suggest that Froq should only specify the fields in the insert that were actually edited.

8. Froq's syntax coloring looks pretty good. Could you please make it optional to capitalize keywords (or provide the option to make them lowercase) since we don't all like them capitalized. Comments default color would be better as something more subtle (eg grey instead of green).

9. At present Froq colors identifiers (table/view names, column names) such as "First Name" as if it were a literal. Froq should show identifiers in a different color. Coloring those that are unquoted and those that are double quoted the same color would be great, but at least color the double quoted identities different to the single quoted literals)  
(Version 2.0b2)

BAREFEET  It needs SQLite support.  
(Version 1.4.6)

BAREFEET  DB Visualizer seems to be the most full featured SQL GUI tool out there. It has some data entry aids that really make it viable, such as automatic form view (on record per screen), adjustable grid views and filters for everything from table listing to rows of data. Some of the tools and options aren't immediately obvious but very impressive once you find them.

It's a Java app which limits a lot of Mac OS X integration (eg all the windows move in Spaces together) and some controls (such as tabbed panes) don't work in the standard Mac way. It's "Mac Look and Feel" setting makes DbVisualizer more palatable than most Java apps, but it's still a bit ugly and non-intuitive for Mac users.

DbVisualizer, uses JBDC drivers to connect to the database. That takes a bit of fiddling which would scare off most users. I've tried two available JDBC drivers with SQLite (the most prolific database on the Mac) and only get limited functionality. For instance, I can't get DbVisualizer to show me the source of a selected table or view, I can't see triggers in the list. Every time I make changes to data, DbVisualizer complains that "no rows were affected by this edit", but the changes were actually made.

Overall it's a great program that I can't yet use until SQLite access is fixed.  
(Version 6.0.8)

BAREFEET  It's great to see SQLite support added in Froq in version 2.0b2. I've had a quick look and hit some obstacles/bugs:

1. Views aren't showing, just tables.

2. Froq won't allow editing of data where the table name or column name contains a space. I suggest that you include the "" double quotes in all references to identifiers in your behind the scenes update, delete, select, insert etc statements to avoid this problem.

3. Furthermore, when Froq shows a "couldn't update database" error, it won't allow me to select any other table or cancel the update. I can only quit.

4. Somewhere Froq mentions that it won't allow editing of data in views. It should allow this since SQLite supports it via "instead of" triggers, which allow editing of views.

5. Froq fails to open a SQLite database on an AppleShare volume. The SQLite built into Mac OS X does not have this problem. You need to disable a locking option in the compiling of SQLite in Froq to allow opening on remote volumes.

6. I can't see how to show/edit triggers.

Tom

BareFeet  
(Version 2.0b2)

BAREFEET  The improvements look great :-) Some feedback on your feedback ;-) :

1. RazorSQL now recognizing SQLite's rowid column for updates/deletes looks great. We can edit tables now that use the rowid implicit primary key. If there is an explicit primary key, however, I think RazorSQL should default to using that key and not rowid. At present it uses both, which seems redundant (eg executes WHERE rowid = 120 AND ID = 120). And if rowid is already present in a view, RazorSQL shouldn't add yet another copy of it.

2. Tabbing through a row (from column to column) now works nicely.

3. The pop up menu option to "Edit Table" is a welcome more direct method. Perhaps better still would be for double clicking on the table/view. Double click in the entity browser currently just does the same as clicking the expansion triangle so would be better utilized.

4&6. Nulls now show as empty cells in the query results pane (great), but not in the edit window (show as "null"), which makes it look cluttered. Admittedly you'd need some way to show and enter null as distinct from empty cells when editing. Perhaps something less obtrusive than the word "null", or a reference on what to show. Presumably a text entry of the literal word "null" currently appears the same as a null, so it is currently ambiguous anyway.

5. I confirmed that RazorSQL does enter integers into an integer column in a table, thank you. It is not true that "SQLite views are read-only". SQLite uses "instead of" triggers to redirect update/insert/delete on views to tables etc, making changes to views seamless. I notice that RazorSQL thankfully still allows me to edit the data in a view if I initiate it by double clicking in the query result, but that the more direct "Edit Table" option in the pop up menu in the entity browser is disabled. Please re-enable it. As for the type of the data to be entered in an update or insert, you can use pragma table_info(tableName) to get the data types of columns in views and tables and implement it to enter the correct data type. Also, RazorSQL should enter null not '' in an insert where data cells are left empty. This is especially a problem for integer primary key columns since '' is not allowed but null is happily accepted and auto replaced by the next integer, but also unnecessarily populates '' in cells where I did not ask for anything to be entered. The incomplete support for editing views is a show stopper problem.

Some more points:

7. RazorSQL shows the results of a query in a pane in the main window. When I initiate editing of data there (such as by double clicking on a data cell), RazorSQL opens a new window with a copy of that same table, and I have to locate the data cell again. It would be more intuitive, efficient and streamlined to perform the editing directly in the query result pane, rather than opening a new window.

8. Each query result shows in a new tab in the bottom right panel. They are labeled "Query 1", "Query 2" etc, which gives no indication of their origin. It would be helpful to show the table/view name.

9. The syntax coloring looks great. It would be helpful to have literals (in single quotes) show as a different color to identifiers (in double quotes). It would be even more helpful to show all identifiers (in double quotes or square brackets or unbracketed table/view/trigger/index/column names) in the same color.

10. How about a view of one record at a time, similar to "line" mode, eg:

fieldname1: value of fieldname1 in record n

fieldname2: value of fieldname2 in record n

fieldname3: value of fieldname3 in record n

fieldname4: value of fieldname5 in record n

This devotes one window/screen to one record at a time, with more room to edit.

11. The SQL formatter (indenting SQL statements) is good idea, but the current implementation is of limited use, since, for instance, it treats commas in the select statement to same as commas within brackets.

12. I struggle with the Java app GUI. Native Cocoa would look and work much better.

I'll review more if point 5 (editing of views) is addressed, since then I can find some use for it.

Thanks.  
(Version 4.2.1)

BAREFEET  SQLGrinder looks quite promising, being a real Cocoa app (not one of those ugly Java apps). The syntax coloring seems to understand context more than most other SQL editors and the data browsing abilities seem good.

However, I can't connect to my SQLite databases. I finally managed to load a working SQLite JDBC driver and connect to my database but I get an error whenever I try to execute some SQL "SQLite only supports type_forward_only cursors". That stops me testing any further.  
(Version 2.0.8)

BAREFEET  I tested SQLEditor with an SQLite database. It imported the table structures fine, using the appropriate driver. After playing with it a bit, I realize that SQLEditor only shows relationships between tables that are set up as a "foreign key" within the tables. SQLite (and I think others) don't have a foreign key parameter for fields within tables. I set up relationships in SQLite within views. Unfortunately, SQLEditor does not appear to show views or the relationships tat they contain. So it seems of little use to show or edit the structure of my SQLite databases.  
(Version 1.4b19)

BAREFEET  Froq looks like a very nicely polished Mac application. I noticed in the list of supported databases doesn't include SQLite, which surprises me since SQLite is so prolific and so pervasive on the Mac platform. Would you consider adding SQLite support in your 2.0 version?  
(Version 2.0b1)

BAREFEET  Wow this developer responds quickly.

I can list all triggers or per table, which is neat. I can edit existing triggers and the "not yet implemented alert when I try to create a new freeform trigger is encouraging. The template for creating foreign key triggers is clever.

Still waiting for editing of views, but I'm hopeful.

Remaining bugs in using column names with spaces in them seem to have been taken care of.  
(Version 1.6)

BAREFEET  It's great to see a database program that uses SQLite in a Mac GUI, not a limited Java type GUI, like many others.

MesaSQLite seems to have a good grounding, providing access to the structure of tables (grid and SQL) and the associated (with each table) triggers (SQL) and indexes (SQL and grid). The grid view is functional for most but lacks some rarely used content such as "collate nocase" and comments.

MesaSQLite now happily accepts SQL names (tables, columns etc) containing spaces, though a remaining bug when using such columns in the query builder. However, you can't currently create or see the structure or content of views, which I need before making use of such a program.

Nice GUI for queries.

The grid view of content (data rows and columns) is neat, wide enough to show the data (unlike many similar programs). It would be good to see a form view too, or at least a one record per page line view (similar to the output of ".mode line" in sqlite3). A mechanism for showing lists of records related to that one record would also be really useful, though I've never seen a similar program provide it.

Keep up the good work! :-)  
(Version 1.5.8)

BAREFEET  oops, it seems that this web forum doesn't like me typing .

So to clarify part of my review:

RazorSQL shows nulls as , which is a bit ugly (something unobtrusive like some kind of blank would be better). It seems impossible to set a cell to null since entering enters that as literal text.  
(Version 4.1.4)

BAREFEET  RazorSQL now supports SQLite and spaces in names (of tables, views, columns etc), which is great. It seems to be unaware of the implicit rowid primary key field in SQLite, which makes editing data in some tables impossible.

I like many of the features such as SQL History and the way it marks inserted, updated and deleted rows to be applied as a batch change.

The editing of cells has a few problems. It shows nulls as which is a bit ugly (some sort of blank would be better). It seems impossible to enter a null since entering enters that literal string. RazorSQL doesn't seem to check the type of fields when entering values, so enters integers as text instead (at least in the tables/views I tried).

Unfortunately the GUI is built on Java or something that's quite un-Mac-like and gets a bit annoying. For instance: editing the next cell in a row requires several clicks instead of just hitting tab; after selecting a table and clicking Edit, RazorSQL then asks me to re-choose the table from a pop up menu; I can't drag and drop an SQLite database file onto the app.

It is one of the better SQLite editors out there, but impractical to use in every day database editing. It's improving though.  
(Version 4.1.4)

BAREFEET  Yes, that's great to see SQLite support added now, since my original post. I've started testing Razor with some SQLite databases.

It looks good, except that it fails to parse column names containing a space (usually encapsulated in "" or [ ]), so even simple tasks such as inserting new data fails (since the generated INSERT statement is built incorrectly.  
(Version 4.1)

BAREFEET  Seems like a thorough SQL database front end. But it lacks SQLite support. SQLite is built in on Mac OS X and above, and requires no server setup etc. So the user could make a database immediately using just RazorSQL, or open existing databases.

Please add SQLite support.  
(Version 3.8)

BAREFEET  CrossOver is a beautiful solution for running Windows apps on your Mac, without actually having to dedicate large disk space and RAM, install, run or maintain the Windows operating system.

It includes installers for Windows apps like INternet Explorer 6, with automatic downloading of the software from the Internet. With other basic though not so popular software, I've had about 50% success simply downloading a .exe file and opening it. CrossOver automatically launches the program within itself, and translates the MS Windows API calls into X11 window calls on my Mac.

For more complex MS Window programs, Crossover mostly won't work yet. But the developers are working on adding specific support for many programs, according to user demand.

For me, it's a safe, easy way to run, test or compare the occasional MS Windows program on my Mac. It takes just a few minutes to install and get my first Windows program running, without worrying about partitioning my disk, installing virtual disks, installing Windows, viruses, changing the user experience of the operating system, etc.

Keep up the good work :-)  
(Version 6.0rc3)

BAREFEET  I just installed 1.6 over 1.5 and found a few problems. Dragging the markers during editing makes iTunes stutter in the background. To fine tune an edit marker, I used to press play, wait a second, pause, then drag the marker to lock onto the new location, but this no longer works - it moves the marker instead. The time line preview in the "Compact" dialog is showing 4 hours for a 40 minute clip!

It's nice to see auto-updating (though the bugs above make me wary about updating too soon). And the scheduled recording extension can now be set higher than 5 minutes (up to 30)

I'd like to see: TV programs in Australia, frame by frame advance of clip markers. I'd also prefer a more Mac OS X like interface for the listing of the programs, something like iTunes or the Finder, with grouping by program name and a search facility. The ability to burn prgrams to CD without duplicating the file would save a lot of time and hassle.  
(Version 1.6)