2. SQL Support
Interchange can use any of a number of SQL databases through the powerful Perl DBI/DBD access methods. This allows transparent access to any database engine that is supported by a DBD module. The current list includes mSQL, MySQL, Solid, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Ingres, Dbase, DB2, Fulcrum, and others. Any ODBC (with appropriate driver) should also be supported.
No SQL database is included with Interchange, but there are a number widely available on the Internet. Most commonly used with Interchange are PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle. It is beyond the scope of this document to describe SQL or DBI/DBD. Sufficient familiarity is assumed.
In most cases, Interchange cannot perform administrative functions, like creating a database or setting access permissions. This must be done with the tools provided with a SQL distribution. But, if given a blank database and the permission to read and write it, Interchange can import ASCII files and bootstrap from there.