What is Firebird Sql Server Database. Database Administration Tools

Firebird SQL is a open source database server based on Interbase 6.0. Firebird SQL Server is distributed free of charge and has no license restrictions. There exist Firebird distribution packages for Windows, Linux, Unix, Solaris, MacOS, 32- and 64-bit architecture.

There exist three types of Firebird SQL database:    

Firebird CS (Classic Server) – creates separate server processes for each client’s connection;
Firebird SS (Super Server) – there is common client’s cache. Client’s connections are served by the single server process;
Firebird Embedded – special edition for embedded databases;

For the first time the best choice is Firebird Super Server. You can download Firebird here: download Firebird database.

Selecting Firebird driver

The next steep of Firebird SQL studying is the Firebird driver select. The most unified and progressive driver is IBProvider. It supports all of Interbase and Firebird versions, including Firebird 2.5 and Interbase 2009. It can be used in many development utilities and environments like Visual Studio, Delphi, C++, Visual Basic For applications, Web tools, etc.

You can download IBProvider here: Interbase driver, Firebird provider.

IBProvider offers several means of working with Interbase and Firebird from Delphi:

dbGo (ADO Express) components working via ADO library.
Direct access to COM-interfaces of ADO bypassing dbGo components.
Direct access to COM-interfaces of OLE DB using external VCL-component (OLE DB Direct/OLE DB Express).

Firebird administration tools

For your quick introduction you need sample database employee.Fdb. This database is the part of the Firebird install package. For editing of Firebird databases you may use isql.Exe tool. There are many alternate utilities of Interbase and Firebird administration other than isql: Flame Robin, IBExpert, Blaze Top, IB/FB Development Studio, Database Workbench.