Alternative Database Management System (RDBMS) Solutions
Alternative Database Management System (RDBMS) Solutions
Alternative Solution to Using MariaDB or MySQL
A few students have had problems downloading and installing MariaDB on their personal computers. Most of these students are students that are using Mac Computers. Some have computers with Chrome Operating Systems (OS). MariaDB and MySQL will not install on a Chrome OS. MariaDB and MySQL are more difficult to use at a command-line level in a Mac OS environment. Below are a few alternate options for students having difficulty downloading and running MariaDB on their personal computers
paiza
https://paiza.io/en/languages/mysql
One of the options that I listed in the course syllabus was the option of the Internet Web Service named paiza. Students can access paiza at the Universal Resource Locator (URL) pazio.io. paiza is a fully functional MySQL/MariaDB Database Simulator. Any script that can run on MariaDB or MySQL can run on paiza. paiza cannot be used in a production environment. However, it can be used to run and verify the correctness of SQL Script. Students that have Macs that are having difficulty installing and using MariaDB on their Personal Mac computers can use paiza to run and verify the correctness of the SQL script that they are creating for Practice and Homework Assignments.
There is a slight difference in the sequence of copying and running the SQL script in the Paiza.io online service compared to how it is illustrated in videos using MariaDB. When using paiza, first, all you need to do is copy the text from the text editor file that contains the script to create the database into the Pazio.io editor/text area. You will then have to create a new file in Visual Studio Code that will hold the SQL script for the assignment. This is where you either create the code or copy and paste the code from the designated areas designated in the video if you are working on a practice assignment. After finishing typing or copying the SQL code for the assignment, you should then copy and paste this code at the end of the SQL script code that you previously copied into the paiza.io editor/text area. I provided a Guided Video Tutorial in the introduction module in Canvas describing and illustrating this process.
I provided a guided video on running SQL scripts for students that are interested in exploring the Paiza.io online service.
- SQL Script Cope to Create the database first
- SQL Script code for the assignment second
Once this is done, you click the button on the paiza.io interface to run the script in its editor/text area.
Another main difference and difficulty with using the paiza.io service are that the Database will not persistent. This means that you will need to include the SQL script to create the database and load the sample data for each or all of the queries that you are testing each time you click the command button to run the script. When using the practice database, this means, you must always have the SQL script to create the practice database either in the paiza editor/text-area or in the Visual Studio Editor ready for use. Use Pazio.io service works. However, it requires slightly more effort and patience to use.
Loaner Computers
This is a highly recommended option. CCP is offering loaner computers to students that may need to participate in online courses during the pandemic. You can start the process of requesting a loaner computer through your professor. From my experience in interacting with students requesting a Loaner Computer, obtaining a Loaner Computer usually occurs within 24 hours after the request is received by the IT Support Department. Based on this data, I strongly recommend the Loaner Computer option to students that have computers a Chrome OS or are having difficulty interacting with MariaDB or MySQL on a Mac OS. Students wanting a Loaner Laptop should contact me by email. I will then forward your request to IT Support at CCP.
Students that require a Loaner Computer can start the process by sending me an email using their student CCP email account.
Student Academic Computing Center (SACC)
SACC is now open to the students on Main Campus. The SACC Open Lab that is available is in C3-17 in the CBI building on the Main Campus. The use of the Lab is by reservation only. Social Distancing will be enforced. Only 15 students are permitted in the SACC Open Lab during any reservation period. Each reservation period is for one and a half hours.
Link into a Classroom Computer using Virtualization
This is also a favorite option of mine. Students can also use the Internet on their computers to link into a classroom computer at the college. This is called virtualization. Virtualization permits a user to connect and use a preinstalled operating system through an Internet connection. Once connected to the computer with the specific OS, the user can run any software on that computer through the virtualization connection. Students will be able to connect to specific computer workstations in a variety of classrooms. Using a link that I am providing in this message. All available computers in Room C3-20 and C3-18 have the necessary software installed for this course.
Below is the link to connect to computers in a classroom
The link above will take you to a website containing a list of classrooms that contain computers that you can connect to. Each classroom contains a list of available computers that you can connect to. Once you select an available computer, a dialogue window will appear prompting you to download a file. The file name will contain the classroom number and PC number that you are attempting to connect to. The file name will also have an RDP extension, for example - C320PC22.rdp
Once you download the file into a folder on your computer, double-click the filename to connect to the computer. Once you are connected to the computer you will be prompted to log in to the computer. You will use the name username and password that you use to log in to MyCCP. Once your username and password are authenticated, you will be at the desktop of the PC that you are using over the internet.
Use the Start Menu to find the MariaDB folder in the list of programs in the start menu. The Start Menu will list the names of the programs installed in alphabetical order. Click on the MariaDB folder to open the list of options in the folder. At the bottom of the list is the option to open and run MariaDB in client mode. Select the MariaDB Client option. MariaDB will prompt you for a password to log in. The password to login to MariaDB at the college is maria.
The only limitation to accessing a Windows Computer in a classroom at the college in this manner is that you will not be able to save your work to a USB drive directly while connected to this way. When saving or backing up information while connected to a college computer over the internet, you must save or backup the file or files to a cloud storage area such as Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive. After logging out of the connection to the college computer in a classroom, you will be able to login into the cloud storage service and download the file or files to your host PC as an additional backup or storage location for your work.
I will provide additional information for additional IT Support for students having problems using the Virtualization Service. I will provide additional contact information to specific IT Staff that can assist students connecting to the Virtualization Service upon request.