Mac equivalent to Access?

iposteriposter
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
I searched the forum, but was unable to find any information on whether or not there is a program for OS X that allows viewing and editing of Access databases, since there is no OS X version of Access?



I am taking a database course at college, they have free student editions of the software available, but it's XP only of course, and I'm getting tired of hanging around the school media center to do my homework on their PC's.



Thanks for any help....

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    lfe2211lfe2211 Posts: 507member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by iPoster View Post


    I searched the forum, but was unable to find any information on whether or not there is a program for OS X that allows viewing and editing of Access databases, since there is no OS X version of Access?



    I am taking a database course at college, they have free student editions of the software available, but it's XP only of course, and I'm getting tired of hanging around the school media center to do my homework on their PC's.



    Thanks for any help....



    Look at 4th Dimension by 4D inc. here





    http://4D.com



    It's great a DB program but I have not used in a while.
  • Reply 2 of 6
    grayshadesgrayshades Posts: 78member
    Probably FileMaker Pro would be more widely used and it is cross-paltform. So it depends on your needs.
  • Reply 3 of 6
    lfe2211lfe2211 Posts: 507member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by GrayShades View Post


    Probably FileMaker Pro would be more widely used and it is cross-paltform. So it depends on your needs.



    4th Dimension is also a cross platform product and more comparable in complexity to MS Access than FileMaker Pro. However, Filemaker Pro, while easier to use than the other two, has become very popular in recent years and, with the release of the version 8 family, much more extensible.



    Here is a link that provides good overview info on all 3 products:



    4D vs Access vs Filemaker Pro



    http://www.4d.fr/corporate/press/pdf...comparison.pdf



    Here is a more technical, in-depth comparison of Access and FMP



    Access vs Filemaker Pro



    http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/p...comparison.pdf



    IMO, If your desire is to learn hard core relational DB theory and application for the personal computer, then 4D and Access are the products of choice. If you want an easier cross-platform entree into simpler DB construction, then FMP is you choice. The latter has a large and thriving community of users and developers.
  • Reply 4 of 6
    pubguypubguy Posts: 108member
    Well, you could always get a copy of Virtual PC and install Windows 98 or Windows 2000 in it and then install Access. That is how I did professional programming for years with my Mac.



    If you want to try something for FREE, give 'Q' a try here:

    http://www.kju-app.org/kju/



    For best performance, use Windows 98 or 98SE. You can then install Access in it and it will perform great for your needs. Nive thing too, you can quit the program and save the state exactly where you were without having to shutdown and restart Windows each time.



    It'll be perfect for school !!!
  • Reply 5 of 6
    gordygordy Posts: 1,004member
    Ditto pubguy. No Mac software will allow you to use an Access database. I wish.
  • Reply 6 of 6
    iposteriposter Posts: 1,560member
    Thanks for all the advice. It seems OpenOffice can handle access databases, but only if you convert them to ODB format. Have not given it a try yet, but will see if it works...
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