MiniVend can use any of a number of SQL databases through the powerful Perl DBI/DBD access methods. This allows transparent access to any database engine that is supported by a DBD module. The current list includes mSQL, mySQL, Solid, Postgres, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Ingres, Dbase, DB2, Fulcrum, and others. Any ODBC (with appropriate driver) should also be supported.
No SQL database is included with MiniVend, but there are a number widely available on the net, and many are free for non-commercial use. Some examples include mSQL, mySQL, Sybase, and Qbase.
It is beyond the scope of this document to describe SQL or DBI/DBD, and we will not attempt to. Sufficient familiarity is assumed.
In most cases, MiniVend cannot perform administrative functions like creating a database or setting access permissions. This must be done with the tools provided with your SQL distribution. But if given a blank database and the permission to read and write it, MiniVend can import ASCII files and bootstrap you from there.