Features

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WHAT IS IT
FEATURES
UPDATE HISTORY
PRICING & LICENSING
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
ONLINE HELP
ARCA DATABASE BROWSER
TUTORIALS & SAMPLES
SQL RESOURCES
DOWNLOAD
TECHNOTES

ARCA DATABASE XTRA:

FEATURES

Review some of the features that make Arca an ideal database tool for Director users. For a complete list of functions, go to Arca Database Xtra Online Help.


	Uses Industry Standard SQL Queries		Arca uses industry standard SQL queries for almost all operations. This means there is no need to learn a new database API if you are already familiar with industry standard database tools like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, SQLite and Oracle. Complex queries and SQL features are supported, including transactions , triggers and joins.



	Self-Contained Database Solution		No installation required, ever! The Xtra contains the entire database engine, and everything needed to manipulate the database files. There is no need to install libraries in the user's machine, or configure data sources or other settings like ODBC.



	Single File Databases		Each database is a single file that can reside on your CD or be moved from machine to machine without additional dependencies. Database files are also cross-platform.



	Understands Director Media and Picture Types		Arca automatically translates Director string, integer, float, media and picture datatypes. Media and picture data is stored as binary information in the database.



	Image Objects		Arca is the only database solution for Director that stores image objects directly, ready to be used with imaging Lingo functions.



	Lossless Compression for Binary Data		Binary data is stored in the database using lossless compression. This means that your database files will automatically be smaller and faster to access, while still retaining all the original image information.



	Encryption		Databases can be protected with an optional encryption key, so they can only be opened and used by authorized clients. The encryption key can be added, changed removed at any time if necessary.



	Arca Database Browser Tool		Arca ships with a companion application used to create, inspect and edit databases. The Arca Database Browser is a high performance C++ application developed to aid creation of Arca databases using a GUI and a familiar spreadsheet-like interface. It runs natively on Windows and MacOSX, and can be distributed free of charge to your customers. Databases can also be created and manipulated entirely using Lingo, of course.



	Built on Fast, Stable Database Engine		Arca is built on top of a customized version of SQLite, a widely used embedded database engine. SQLite is present in several software projects and tools, including PHP5 and Mac OSX Tiger (CoreData.) In most cases Arca database files can be opened and used by other tools that also use the SQLite engine, for easier sharing of data. Tabuleiro supports the SQLite community with projects like the SQLite Database Browser, a customized version of the Arca Database Browser available free of charge to users of other SQLite-compatible database projects and tools.



	Easy to use		One of our goals while designing Arca was to make it as easy to use as possible, without sacrificing functionality. In most cases it is possible to incorporate database capabilities to a Director project by using only 3 functions: opendb, executesql, and closedb. Of course Arca also offers extended functionality for expert Lingo developers, including the ability to create selections, compact databases, and issue complex SQL statements.