How to Access An Access Database Without Windows

There are many good tutorials out there that include a sample database for you to play with. Recently, Charles Arehart pointed out a good DevNet article about CF/lML processing by Nate Weiss. So, I went to download the pdf, and then proceeded to download the sample files. I noticed that there was an Access database included. Well. That could be an issue, being as I do not have Windows installed on this MBP, nor do I have the funds to buy it (much less obtain Access separately, if need be).

I wasn't entirely new to this situation; I had run into this in the past and was able to use an ODBC driver with the Apple Database Driver plugin in an early version of OS X. I can't recall the name of the company that created this particular driver, though. So it was off to Google for an answer to this question. Turns out, there is an answer and it's really simple.

First, you need to download RazorSQL, which is a commercial database program that can be used with RDBMs such as Access, MySQL, Oracle, and more; Windows, OS X, Linux and Solaris versions are available. There are specific directions for opening, reading and editing Access databases here. I went and downloaded the HXTT MS Access JDBC Driver. I then put the access folder into /Applications, and opened Connection Wizard, and set it up like so in this screenshot:

And voila . . . I was able to access the database just fine, thus enabling me to extract the database structure and data in order to set up a MySQL version (or if you will, Derby).

I haven't tried StelsMDB MS Access JDBC Driver, but I'm sure this would work just as well. Hope this has been of help to you!