Using External Databases

Most users will use the built-in database. However advanced users can use other database engines to store their data.

Readerware supports MySQL, SQL Server, PostreSQL and Access, however it should be possible to use any database that includes a JDBC driver. Contact Readerware support for assistance on getting other databases to work with Readerware.

To access an external database from within Readerware you need to use the advanced open dialog. This is activated in Preferences.

Connecting to an external database or a Readerware server requires Readerware Client/Server Edition. If the Advanced Open Dialog option is disabled, you don't have Readerware Client/Server Edition. Upgrades are available on the website.

Using Readerware with MySQL

You need to install MySQL and create an empty database. Refer to the MySQL documentation for assistance with installation.

You will also need the MySQL JDBC driver, Connector/J. This is available from the MySQL web site, unfortunately licensing restrictions prevent us from including Connector/J with Readerware.

Opening a MySQL Database

Select the File->Open Database menu item and the Advanced Open Dialog will be displayed.

From the Database type drop down list, choose MySQL.

Readerware MySQL Database Connection

The dialog will be filled with appropriate values. There are a couple of entries you will need to customize:

Enter your MySQL user name and password.
In the URL field, change {hostname} to the machine name or IP address where MySQL is running. Use Localhost if it is running on the same machine.
In the URL field, change {database name} to the name of the MySQL database, you must have already created the empty database in MySQL.
In Driver Location click on Browse and select the MySQL Connector/J driver

Using Readerware with Microsoft SQL Server

You need to install SQL Server and create an empty database. Refer to the SQL Server documentation for assistance with installation.

You will also need the Microsoft SQL Server JDBC driver installed.

Opening a SQL Server Database

Select the File->Open Database menu item and the Advanced Open Dialog will be displayed.

From the Database type drop down list, choose SQL Server.

Readerware SQL Server Database Connection

The dialog will be filled with appropriate values. There are a couple of entries you will need to customize:

Enter your SQL Server user name and password.
In the URL field, change {hostname} to the machine name or IP address where SQL Server is running. Use Localhost if it is running on the same machine.
In the URL field, change {instance name} to the name of the SQL Server instance you are connecting to.
In the URL field, change {database name} to the name of the SQL Server database, you must have already created the empty database in SQL Server.
In Driver Location click on Browse and select the Microsoft SQL Server JDBC driver

Click on the Test Connection button and Readerware will attempt to connect to the database. If successful click on the OK button to open the database. If the database is empty Readerware will create the necessary tables.

If you get a connection error check to make sure that SQL Server has been set up to accept TCP/IP connections. Use the SQL Server Configuration Manager and select Network Configuration. Now select Protocols for the SQL Server instance you are connecting to. Make sure TCP/IP support is enabled as shown in the screen below.

Readerware SQL Server Configuration

You also need to set the correct TCP/IP port for IPAll. Right click on TCP/IP and select Properties from the popup menu. Select the IP Addresses tab. Locate IPAll and set it to use port 1433 or whatever port you are using.

Using Readerware with PostgreSQL

You need to install PostgreSQL and create an empty database. Refer to the PostgreSQL documentation for assistance with installation.

You will also need the PostgreSQL JDBC driver. This is available from the PostgreSQL web site, unfortunately licensing restrictions prevent us from including it with Readerware.

Opening a PostgreSQL Database

Select the File->Open Database menu item and the Advanced Open Dialog will be displayed.

From the Database type drop down list, choose PostgreSQL.

Readerware PostgreSQL Database Connection

The dialog will be filled with appropriate values. There are a couple of entries you will need to customize:

Enter your PostgreSQL user name and password.
In the URL field, change {hostname} to the machine name or IP address where PostgreSQL is running. Use Localhost if it is running on the same machine.
In the URL field, change {database name} to the name of the PostgreSQL database, you must have already created the empty database in PostgreSQL.
In Driver Location click on Browse and select the PostgreSQL driver

Using Readerware with Access

Access 2007 and earlier only provide 32 bit drivers. If you are running Readerware on a 64 bit system, you must install the 32 bit version of Readerware so that it can talk to Access.

Access 2010 does include both 32 and 64 bit versions. You must install the matching version of Readerware. If you install the 32 bit version of Access, you must install the 32 bit version of Readerware. If you install the 64 bit version of Access, you must install the 64 bit version of Readerware.

You need to install Access and create an empty database. Refer to the Access documentation for assistance with installation.

Opening an Access Database

Select the File->Open Database menu item and the Advanced Open Dialog will be displayed.

From the Database type drop down list, choose Access.

Readerware Access Database Connection

The dialog will be filled with appropriate values. There are a couple of entries you will need to customize:

Enter your Access user name and password, if needed
In the URL field, change {Access file} to the full path of the Access database.

For example:

jdbc:odbc:Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb, *.accdb)};DBQ=C:\Access.accdb;DriverID=22;READONLY=false}

Access Connection Errors

[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified - This error indicates that Windows can not find the Access driver, you are probably using an older version of Access. Click on the Windows start menu and enter ODBC in the search or run field. Windows will open the ODBC Data Source Administrator control panel. Look for the Microsoft Access entry and make a note of whatever is listed in the Driver field. Back in Readerware replace Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb, *.accdb). in the URL field with whatever is listed in the Driver field in the ODBC window.

[Microsoft][ODBC Microsoft Access Driver] General error Unable to open registry key ... - This Access error can occur if the Access database name is incorrect. Check for syntax errors and to make sure the Access database exists.

Changing Databases

If you want to change database engines and move an existing database to a new format, use backup and restore.

Backup your existing database and then run the restore selecting the backup file you just created. On the Database Selection page of the wizard, click on the Browse button and select the new database as normal.

For example you could backup a standard Readerware database and restore it to a MySQL database. Once the restore completes Readerware will open your new database and your existing data will be displayed.

Important note: You must restore the backup to an empty database. Do not open the external database in Readerware first as that will create the standard database tables and the restore will fail. Create an empty database and then restore a Readerware backup to it.

Top of Page