relational database questions

[Martin Gallo]

Technically, any database software is "flat file" in that each file  
created is two dimensional (consisting of records of fields) and a  
few have added capabilities that give them the right to claim  
"relational" status.

The main ability for relational is what is referred to as referential  
integrity - deleting data in one table can affect other tables  
related to that deleted record (or field) automatically (without  
programer/operator action).

Thus Panorama is flat file, but with some clever bits of programming,  
can be made to act like a relational database. The programmer just  
has to do some work whenever the delete key is pressed.

Another part of relational database is that fields from one data file  
are dynamically linked to another which can effectively cause the  
file structure to appear to be more than two dimensional if you try  
to map it out. Again, with out programmer help, this does not  
automatically happen in Panorama, although you can do a LOT with  
equations!

Anyway, you can program Panorama to act like a relational database  
and it is not that tough, even I figured it out. (Please don't be  
offended by that, it was not intended as insulting)

Marty