Once you have acquired an understanding of the functionality of a GIS system such as Quantum GIS you may have a need to link a relational database file at some point. Whilst attaching a CSV file from a spread sheet is a relatively simple procedure in QGIS, linking relational databases can be somewhat more involved because more parameters are involved. A popular relational database such as MySQL can be linked to QGIS through the standard interface if you have enabled the database server and have access via a password.
A relational database such as MySQL, which is an Oracle product, comes in both open source and commercial versions. MySQL runs on Windows, Linux and Mac operating systems and has developed through many iterations to the current version 5.6. You can access the MySQL database either through a command line option or a more user friendly facility called MySQL Workbench. The Workbench provides a graphical user interface which helps you in the following tasks.
SQL Development: This option lets you connect to existing databases to run SQL scripts, SQL queries and edit table data.
Data Modelling: With this option you can create and manage models. Forward and reverse engineer, compare and synchronise schemas and view a diagram of your tables and how they relate to each other.
Server Administration: With this option you can configure your database server, create user accounts, browse status variables and server logs. You can also create new server instances, manage imports and exports of data, manage user accounts and assign privileges. You can additionally manage server instances with the options to add, delete and update server instance settings.
The Workbench helps with SQL syntax in that you can view all the standard syntax through the Snippets option. Here you have access to and can view and edit all the main SQL features for creation, viewing and modifying tables. These snippets can then be included in a query window to create the appropriate SQL script. Using snippets ensures that you are using the correct syntax which is absolutely essential when running SQL scripts.
MySQL supports all the standard data types including functionality for storing geometry information such as points, lines and polygons. You can connect a MySQL database which contains all the necessary information to create both an attribute table and a map within a GIS such as QGIS.
In the main menu of QGIS select Layer, then Add Vector Layer option. Select the MySQL database option in the dialogue box and then either create a new connection or select a current connection. If the server is running on your computer select local host for Host option, then update the Database, Port and User name options. (Port is usually 3306 and user name default is root). Enter the password and connect to the database. If you have made a successful connection your map will then be shown as a layer within QGIS.
SQL Development: This option lets you connect to existing databases to run SQL scripts, SQL queries and edit table data.
Data Modelling: With this option you can create and manage models. Forward and reverse engineer, compare and synchronise schemas and view a diagram of your tables and how they relate to each other.
Server Administration: With this option you can configure your database server, create user accounts, browse status variables and server logs. You can also create new server instances, manage imports and exports of data, manage user accounts and assign privileges. You can additionally manage server instances with the options to add, delete and update server instance settings.
The Workbench helps with SQL syntax in that you can view all the standard syntax through the Snippets option. Here you have access to and can view and edit all the main SQL features for creation, viewing and modifying tables. These snippets can then be included in a query window to create the appropriate SQL script. Using snippets ensures that you are using the correct syntax which is absolutely essential when running SQL scripts.
MySQL supports all the standard data types including functionality for storing geometry information such as points, lines and polygons. You can connect a MySQL database which contains all the necessary information to create both an attribute table and a map within a GIS such as QGIS.
In the main menu of QGIS select Layer, then Add Vector Layer option. Select the MySQL database option in the dialogue box and then either create a new connection or select a current connection. If the server is running on your computer select local host for Host option, then update the Database, Port and User name options. (Port is usually 3306 and user name default is root). Enter the password and connect to the database. If you have made a successful connection your map will then be shown as a layer within QGIS.
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