DataKiosk

DataKiosk is a JuK-like database interface tool for generic SQL databases. What does that mean? Essentially, DataKiosk provides a series of wizards (anyone familiar with Qt Designer's database wizards will find them familiar) that allow you to build a custom Juk-like interface for any SQL database with a QtSQL driver. It now resides in kdecvs in the kdeextragear-1 module.


Screenshots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and Flash demo here. More below the fold...

A little bit about where it came from... DataKiosk began as a solution for a customer with a thorny problem. This customer had some nasty legacy databases with horrible user interfaces that all needed to be merged. While brainstorming for a solution, I came up with the idea of a Juk-like interface. After all, Juk and ITunes are wonderful interfaces for musical databases so, why not extend the concept to other generic SQL databases?

Basically, this customer had three disparate databases, all with different schema, all with data integrity issues, all with serious problems. These databases were comprised of one Paradox 7 database, one Paradox 10 database, one MS Access database and one database yet to be created.

The three existing needed to be merged into a new database, the data thoroughly audited and the schema drastically transformed into an industry standard. Long story short, I needed an interface that could be configured to work with all three and the resulting database that would be created from them. Hence DataKiosk was born.

What it can do:

• It can load tables with fully configurable fields.
• It can present Parent/Child tables through foreign key relations.
• Basic and Advanced Search where the terms are transformed into SQL SELECT statements.
• Integrated Kugar Reports where the report is created from the current search.
• Project based with Saved Searches, Saved Reports and so on.

What is planned:

• INSERT, DELETE, etc, etc. It can not be used as an editor yet.
• Kiosk functionality to lockdown the project file for certain users.
• .desktop file creation for projects.
• Scripting support for integrated business logic.
• Perhaps a web export tool for automatic web interface generation.
• DataKiosk is heavily based on code from JuK and Qt Designer. Many anachronisms need to be removed.

What it is not:

• Efficient -- to say the least -- on database resources.
• Suitable for very large databases.
• Suitable for 'enterprise' use.

In the end, I hope it can be used as a generic data entry application for small businesses without the need for custom application development. An kind of Excel-like app for SQL databases if you will.