Database

At the risk of being labeled a complainer (yet again), I must ask why you want to do this. I am sorry if I offend, but to me, an E-Book is just that – a book. If you want to do dB work, there are far better tools out there.

Again, I apologize, but to me, trying to use the compiler to do dB work is a waste of time. I will say it again, the proper tool for the job. Besides, by using a dB program, you can easily (?) integrate it with the web; if that is one of your goals. Yes, it might be done, but yes, it is a potential problem.

1) MSOffice and other type programs are expensive.
Unless your a pirate. AARRR matie:-)

2) Not everyone has these programs and if you use one, the customer can't use it unless they install the specific program on their computer.  Now the customer has to put out the money for the program to do any editing.

3) You may need some small sized db functions without all the bells, whistles, and size of other programs.

4) And their neat to have in an ebook depending on what your need is. (Searches, conversions, and so on.)

Just to name a few.  Of course, if your just creating boring fiction books or something then your right, an ebook is just that.

1. Database connection - ODBC use ADO, OLE DB, DSN, etc.

2. In order to create and utilize the connection, the web must be server based, using server-side scripting. ASP, JSP and PHP seem to be the most common web based technologies employing DB integration.

As eBooks are independant of a server or disk based (as labeled by Microsoft FrontPage nomenclature), the database connection and server-side scripting cannot be used.

As such, it seems that database use in most eBook applications cannot be used.

On the otherhand, although cumbersome and a pain in the !#@$@# to write, an array can be created that may suite many simple needs.

We write technical manuals and have started using them in several web applications that include administering quizzes or tests at the end of a chapter or book.

Using Active EBook and other compilers, it looks like this code can be hidden fairly well by not allowing the reader to easily open the source documents.

Needless to say, there may be exceptions. Although I'm not a programmer, VC++ and VB6 allow for database integration into web based applications through the creation and/or implementation of Microsoft's Active X Objects.

It would seem to me that some bright star out there may by able to create an add-in that would allow DB integraiton within Active Ebook and/or other eBook compilers.

Let me know when it happens. I'm willing to spend the money on buying it.