In this post, we will talk to you about OmniDB, a great tool to manage databases. The best thing is that it’s light and very efficient when you start working.
OmniDB is an open-source tool that makes it easy for us to manage SQL databases. It currently supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, and Oracle. However, you won’t be stuck with them, because they are already working on supporting Firebird, SQLite, SQL Server, and IBM DB2. This gives us an idea of how ambitious the project is.
The tool has two installation modes. The first is a desktop application that can be installed on Linux, with DEB and RPM installers.
Besides it, OmniDB has an installer that we can install in a server and be used through a web interface like PHPMyAdmin. This can be very practical in some cases.
Some of the main features of this application are the following:
- Encryption of all data. Making the connection always secure.
- Auto-completion of SQL sentences. Making the use of SQL language quite fast.
- Responsive and web-based interface.
- Cross-platform. Which will make us have no problems in installing it in different work environments.
So let’s install it and have a look at it.
Getting OmniDB the tool to manage databases
First, go to the download section on the application website. There select the package according to the distribution you use. In this case, I installed it on a computer with Linux Mint 19 / Ubuntu 18.04. So I downloaded the DEB package.
Then install the downloaded package. In my case when using Ubuntu or Linux Mint, I ran the following command:
:~$ sudo dpkg -i [package_name]
Of course, replace package_name with the name and path of the package. The name can vary according to the version number.
Then you can run it from the main menu without problems.
Using OmniDB
The first time you run the application it will look pretty basic and clean. Of course, it’s because we don’t have any connections set up.
To make a new connection click on the Connections button. There you will see the following image.
Then click on the New Connection button. There the following screen will be displayed.
In the Technology field, you have to select which database manager you want to connect to. And so in each field, you have to write the different credentials and data. Next, press the save data button to save the credentials.
At the end of the list of fields (right side), you will have the buttons to delete a connection, test connection, and use connection.
Once you activate the connection, this is how the application will look.
On the left side, you can see the active connection. In this case only one, but you can work with several simultaneously.
As we can also see, everything is in place. There is a space reserved to show the data, as well as to make sentences.
For example, I will use the sentence editor to create a new database.
I just have to type the command and click the run button.
You can then create a table graphically or using an SQL template. I have found this to be phenomenal, especially in educational contexts.
Finally, this is how the data would be presented if a table had it.
So, enjoy it.
Conclusion
OmniDB is emerging as a serious and reliable alternative for database management on many systems. It is quite efficient and robust.
On the other hand, the graphical interface can be improved not by the appearance but by the clarity of the options. Anyway, it can be managed in a few minutes.
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