Client/Server Database Support in ThumbsPlus
In the default configuration, ThumbsPlus uses a Microsoft Access JET database with the extension .tpdb8
. You may also create and use databases in SQLite 3 format. The latter is not recommended in multi-user network configurations, as its internal locking mechanism doesn't perform very well on a shared file.
The Professional and Network editions of ThumbsPlus additionally support the use of client/server databases, including MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. Users have successfully also used Oracle and IBM DB2, but we don't currently provide scripts or technical support for these.
Notes:
- Client/server databases offer greatly improved performance when sharing a database in a network environment, and the capability to have databases larger than the JET 2 gigabyte limit.
- ThumbsPlus uses ANSI standard SQL92 statements via ODBC to access databases, so it may be possible to use other databases.
- No vendor provides perfect support for SQL92, and implementations differ in unusual ways. If possible, stick to one of the supported databases.
- For some databases, you need to download a separate ODBC connection package in addition to the database. You'll need to install this component on all client systems. Be sure to use a UNICODE connector if there is an option, and configure it for ANSI quoted identifiers and ANSI nulls.
- To connect to a database, you'll need to create a 32-bit ODBC Data Source (System DSN or File DSN), then use Database - Connect to access it from ThumbsPlus.
- There is more information on database creation and connection in the old ThumbsPlus 7 manual PDF.
- The database schema hasn't changed since version 9, so the database creation scripts linked below are valid for version 10 as well.
MySQL
Recommended versions: 5.6 or later
Latest tested version: 5.7
Website for downloading server and ODBC components:
www.mysql.org
ThumbsPlus database creation script:
Thumbs9_mysql.sql
MariaDB
Recommended versions: 10.0 or later
Latest tested version: 10.0
Website for downloading server and ODBC components:
www.mariadb.org
ThumbsPlus database creation script:
Thumbs9_mysql.sql
PostgreSQL
Recommended versions: 9.2 or greater
Latest tested version: 9.2
Website for downloading server and ODBC components:
www.postgresql.org
ThumbsPlus database creation script:
Thumbs9_postgres.sql
Microsoft SQL Server
Recommended versions: 2005 or later
Latest tested version: 2014
Website for downloading server and ODBC components:
www.microsoft.com/sql/
ThumbsPlus database creation script:
Thumbs9_mssql.sql