N-CAT

Numismatic Database Management for the Historian and Collector.

The software is build with embedded Firebird (Interbase) database engine and Qt C++ framework.

Update to the newest version - view update instructions below.

Support most of NUDS fields (Numismatic Database Standard for column-oriented numismatic data sets) and additionally not limited number of images, documents and references per item. Designed for work with huge data sets.

• Powerful and reliable embedded database engine. Easy backup and restore. Independent format.
• Relational database design. Not limited number of images, references, etc. per item.
• Build-in image viewer with rotation and scale support.
• Import from and export to Microsoft XML Speadsheet format, supported by Excel and OpenOffice.
• Run SQL query.
• Browse external databases, save data in Microsoft XML Spreadsheet file.
• Unicode support. Unicode character browser/input.
• Multiplatform. Runs on Linux and Windows (and also MacOS, but MacOS is not yet tested).
• And many more features...

Installation

• Use local drive for installation. The embedded database should not be placed on network drive. Use NTFS file system if possible.
• Choose installer or zip archive. If archive is taken - unpack it, open "N-CAT" directory and double-click at "ncat.exe" to start the application. Note: the installer and the application does not write anything into windows system directories and does not open any TCP ports - the embedded database works over local access.

Update

• To update existing 1.x.x.x installation: download latest "win32 update" from "Downloads" section. Put the zip file into your N-CAT installation directory. Extract files ("Extract here"), confirm overwriting. You can also run installer and install over existing N-CAT 1.X.X installation, but be careful - don't overwrite your build-in database file ("COLL0.FDB"), the installer will ask about. Update to the newest version is recommended.

Quick Start

Connection dialog appears at application start-up. Click "OK" to connect to build-in embedded database. The database schema is divided into several collections. First collection, opened by default, may contain several demo entries. Documentation is in not yet released. Tip - try RIGHT-MOUSE-CLICK to access menus. Note: on Windows platform only one process can access the database file, you can not start multiple instances of N-CAT (or any other Firebird utilities) connected to the same database - connection will not succeed. Linux has little different architecture of embedded database server and you can start multiple instances of N-CAT connected safely to the same database, but it is not really useful for particular software.

Backup and restore

• Backup and restore are essential for successful management of data sets. Backup and restore also rebuild indexes and shrink size of the database, giving back space of deleted items and improved indexes. Backup file has smaller size as database file and can be additionally compressed. Try backup and restore before you start creation of important data sets.

Images

• Image can be stored as binary object inside the database ("BLOB" option), as link to the image file on local filesystem ("LINK" option) or as http link ("URL" option). "Link" and "URL" options do not store or modify image data, only reference is stored in the database. Selected images of obverse, reverse and edge can be set for item preview. Images can be viewed with build-in image viewer, copied to clipboard and saved (format, size and compression are adjustable).

Import existing column-orientated data sets from Excel

• Open your Excel or OpenOffice Spredsheet file. One worksheet can be imported at once. Save the whole file or selected worksheet as Microsoft XML Speadsheet file (again - XML file, not usual Excel XLS file).
• Start N-CAT. Connect to database. Go to "Collection"->"Import Data"->"Import from MS XML Spreadsheet". Select newly created Microsoft XML Speadsheet file, worksheet and destination collection. Table view with the data will appear - MAP THE COLUMNS double-clicking at the first (dark blue) row of the table view. Note: Fields marked yellow require special format, like integer or floating point, use reserved field if your data format doesn't match! "Description", marked blue, can be used MULTIPLE times, the data will be applied to item's description.

More databases

• The software is not limited by one build-in database. It is possible to create more databases over backup/restore procedure. Documentation follows. Note: one database contains many collections and can take huge data sets, creating of additional databases is optional. It is also possible - having some Firebird/Interbase knowledge - to set up an independent Firebird server installation, create database from N-CAT backup file and access it with N-CAT as client over network.

Contact: write to project owner (look at the current page) "at googlemail.com". Feedback is welcome!