How to Design a Hotel Management Program Integrated with Databases

How to Design a Hotel Management Program Integrated with Databases

Introduction

Designing a hotel management program that integrates with databases requires careful planning and selection of the right tools. This article will guide you through the process of selecting a development environment, choosing a suitable RDBMS, and developing your application to be as portable as possible.

Selecting a Development Environment

One of the first decisions to make is selecting a development environment that can work with any major relational database management system (RDBMS). This is important because the chances are that your customers are already using one or more of these systems. Different customers may have different needs and be resistant to adding another system to their infrastructure.

Compatibility with Major RDBMS Systems

Major RDBMS systems that hotels might use include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, DB2, SQL Server, and more. Choosing a development environment that can work with these systems allows for flexibility in the future as your customer base evolves.

Choosing an Initial RDBMS

Once you have selected your development environment, decide on an initial RDBMS to build your application against. It is crucial to avoid using too many server-specific features in your database design. This approach ensures that your application can be easily ported to other RDBMS systems if needed.

Database Design Best Practices

When designing your database, keep in mind the following best practices:

Keep it simple and use standard features. Avoid using proprietary SQL extensions. Use portable database interfaces such as ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) or JDBC (Java Database Connectivity). Consider using a portable database language designed for specific applications, such as Embedded SQL in C/C or a dedicated database application language.

Industry Standard API or Portable Language

To develop your hotel management program, consider using an industry-standard API or at least a portable one. Some popular options include:

ODBC (Open Database Connectivity): An industry standard API for database access that works across multiple platforms and RDBMS. JDBC (Java Database Connectivity): A similar API for Java applications to access and manage relational databases. Embedded SQL in C/C : A portable language that can be used to integrate SQL statements directly into C/C applications.

Dedicated Database Application Language

For even more portability and features, you might consider using a dedicated database application language. Some examples include:

Querix Lycia: A language that can dynamically translate PostgreSQL-specific SQL syntax to run on other RDBMS systems. 4js Genero: A language that provides features like forms, reports, and menus that are database-aware and can be used to create highly portable database applications.

Conclusion

Designing a hotel management program with seamless database integration is a crucial task that involves careful planning and selection of the right tools. By choosing a compatible development environment, an initial RDBMS, and a portable language or API, you can create a flexible and scalable application that will meet the needs of your customers.