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openoffice.org package

Only 6 field types in openoffice.org base

Asked by Alessandro Ranaldi

I have only 6 field types when i edit or create a table in openoffice.org base 2.4. I have ubuntu 8.10 and installed ooo from the official repositories. I have installed jre and also the open java libs. I think there is some options i have to change...

I also tried to reinstall base from synaptic, but the problem hasnt solved.

If you need the types that appear are: boolean, varchar, char, longvarchar and decimal. I need numeric to do auto_increment and primary key... without them i cant work!

Please dont ask me to install ooo3, because i want to do that only when it will be on the backport repositories of ubuntu.

bye

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DrewJensen
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DrewJensen (atjensen) said : 		#1

When you create a new Base file are you just creating a default database or are you trying to create dBase file?

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Alessandro Ranaldi (ciaolo) said : 		#2

When the wizard asked me if i wanted to register the database in ooo, i said yes (on the login dialog i clicked on create a new database), and then clicked end.

i'll try connect to jdbc right now and will tell you in a moment

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Alessandro Ranaldi (ciaolo) said : 		#3

I can choose from a list of programs, dbase, mysql, jdbc, odbs and others, but dont know how to configure them...

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DrewJensen (atjensen) said : 		#4

Ok - just to be sure I was not taking you down the primrose path I just reinstalled 2.4.1 under intreped.

Could you check one thing for me.

From within OpenOffice.org go to
Tools>Options>Java

Let me know which of the Java configurations you have selected there.

Thanks

And yes if you just start the New database wizard and select 'finished' you end up with an embedded database using the HSQL engine - on my machine this gives plenty more field types then 6, so there is something going one here...

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Alessandro Ranaldi (ciaolo) said : 		#5

I used normal java 1.6.0_10 and then tried with free software foundation 1.5.0 but there are 6 options in both cases.

Perhaps i have to reinstall ooo, but can you tell me the packages to check for reinstall in the synaptic package manager?

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DrewJensen (atjensen) said : 		#6

well before you go off to do that - one last question if I may.

Open the Base file you are having this problem with.

In the lower left corner of the main window (Be sure you have the status bar displayed) it will have the type of databse.

It could say "HSQL databse engine" or it could say "dBase".

Which does yours say?

Thanks

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Alessandro Ranaldi (ciaolo) said : 		#7

It says dBase

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Best DrewJensen (atjensen) said : 		#8

And for a Base file connecting to a dBase data file here are only 7 data types supported.

Yes/No[Boolean]
Memo[LONGVARCHAR]
TEXT[VARCHAR]
TEXT(fix)[CHAR]
Decimal[DECIMAL]
Date[DATE]

There is no support for auto_increment when creating a new dBase file with Base at this time.

Now - from the sounds of your first message perhaps you did not intend to create a dBase file.
If you wanted to created an embedded database in your Base file then all you need do is this:
Start the new database wizard.
On the first tab page you will see "What do you want to do"
The default selection should be "Create a new database"
Just click the finished button - then supply a name for your new file.

Now in the bottom lower left corner of the main window it should show:
HSQL databse engine

When you create a table now you will have many more choices for data type and an integer or longInt can be set as AutoIncremenet.

HTH

Drew

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Alessandro Ranaldi (ciaolo) said : 		#9

Thanks DrewJensen, that solved my question.

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Alessandro Ranaldi (ciaolo) said : 		#10

I wonder why it created a dbase, though