The subject of databases is a large and complex one, spanning many different concepts of structure, form, and expected use. There are also a multitude of different ways to access and manipulate the data stored within these databases.

This book describes and explains an interface called the Perl Database Interface, or DBI, which provides a unified interface for accessing data stored within many of these diverse database systems. The DBI allows you to write Perl code that accesses data without needing to worry about database- or platform-specific issues or proprietary interfaces.

1. Introduction
From Mainframes to Workstations
Perl
DBI in the Real World
A Historical Interlude and Standing Stones
2. Basic Non-DBI Databases

Storage Managers and Layers
Query Languages and Data Functions
Standing Stones and the Sample Database
Flat-File Databases
Putting Complex Data into Flat Files
Concurrent Database Access and Locking
DBM Files and the Berkeley Database Manager
The MLDBM Module
Summary

3. SQL and Relational Databases

The Relational Database Methodology
Datatypes and NULL Values
Querying Data
Modifying Data Within Tables
Creating and Destroying Tables

4. Programming with the DBI

DBI Architecture
Handles
Data Source Names
Connection and Disconnection
Error Handling
Utility Methods and Functions

5. Interacting with the Database
Issuing Simple Queries
Executing Non-SELECT Statements
Binding Parameters to Statements
Binding Output Columns
do( ) Versus prepare( )
Atomic and Batch Fetching
6. Advanced DBI 97

Handle Attributes and Metadata
Handling LONG/LOB Data
Transactions, Locking, and Isolation

7. ODBC and the DBI

ODBC-Embraced and Extended
DBI-Thrashed and Mutated
The Nuts and Bolts of ODBC
ODBC from Perl
The Marriage of DBI and ODBC
Questions and Choices
Moving Between Win32::ODBC and the DBI
And What About ADO?

8. DBI Shell and Database Proxying

dbish-The DBI Shell
Database Proxying

A. DBI Specification 131
B. Driver and Database Characteristics
C. ASLaN Sacred Site Charter
Colophon
Author Interview

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