About Informations

The DB String Data Extension was developed and it is used at Mendel University in Brno
by Martin Fajman and Jiří Čupera for purposes of easy data and database management.
It is primarily tested and utilized by mySQL Oracle RDBMS (since 5.x versions to nowadays)
in terms of relatively quick and easy LV code development by prepared Command VIs
to manage research data namely in cases the data structure needs to be modified relatively often.
In this case the 2D string arrays are easy to maintain across any size LV project and relatively simply
analyzable and presentable after primary DB processing.
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Description

The extension of the original LV Database Connectivity Toolkit is modifying the basic CRUD operations by converting 2D database data from the RecordSet object. While the original Toolkit converts this object data to the Variant data type and then to a custom cluster structure; this extension simplifies the output data structure to a 2D string array. This string data table is supplemented with information about data types of individual columns for the RecordSet object. The extension does not aim to completely replace the LabView Database Connectivity Toolkit, it is mainly based on its controls and uses some of its VIs. It focuses on CRUD operations only; because they are the most often used in a variety of applications. However, the Advanced functions and Utilities (e.g. Transactions) it preserves from the original toolkit. The goal of modifying the data types used is
to simplify the creation of program code and its maintainability. 
The advantage becomes apparent especially when tables or queries are expanded or modified, when by default it is necessary to change (ideally type definition) the cluster structures corresponding to the relevant query or table. However, if such a cluster is used in a series of VIs, then it is necessary to modify the code in all these VIs very often for keeping all the data operations with the cluster structure correct. In the case of conversion to 2D string data, it is often necessary to modify only the VI that is responsible for preparing the data presentation (conversion to the given data types for display on specific VI's Front Panel), which can be done easily using the Case Structure (according to the column number) in a single For Loop. In addition, very often the given data type is already handled within the previous code version; thus, there is a necessity to add the number of the given database data column to the specific Case of the extended Case Structure only. 
Otherwise, a general 2D string array type without having to modify connectors between VIs can easily be implemented throughout the application structure without modification of these VI codes. Of course, it entails the need to know the data types of the database table columns during Insert and Update operations in the RDBMS. Therefore, the extension more rigorously checks the conversion of data types before inserting them into the RDBMS. To do so, the controls structure within the library and modified VIs (e.g. ADO_CheckColumnInfovsData.VI)), which check data compliance before Insert, are added.
NI Tools Network Available


The extension is provided by the Mendel University in Brno via NI Tools Network in a form of VIPM package.

It is provided free of charge for any purposes of use according to the rules of the NI Tools Network.


Download And Use For Free

Please, use the NI Tools Network or JKI VI Package Manager  to get the package for an installation.
The DB String Data Extension by Mendel University in Brno is provided totally free of charge.
The package is provided with a large help file and four examples. You can also check the original LV Database Connectivity Toolkit help to get further information, how to get connected to a RDBMS and manager external data.

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Address

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Mendel University In Brno
Zemědělská 1
CZ-613 00 Brno

Contacts

martin.fajman[at]mendelu.cz    or jiri.cupera[at]mendelu.cz