OpenXB works with MIVA Merchant v4.16+. MySQL Server v3.23 and MIVA Virtual Machine v4.06 required.
Latest Versions: 4.500
OpenXB™ allows you to run Miva Merchant with a MySQL™ backend database. OpenXB provides a transparent data access layer that allows any MIVA Script v4+ application to take advantage of the performance and stability of MySQL by intercepting all xbase database calls and translating them into native MySQL queries.
Why Use MySQL with Miva Merchant?
Saves Time: OpenXB decreases the amount of time you spend on the administrative tasks of your storefront by allowing all of your data to be in one database, allowing you to integrate that data with external applications and giving you easy, open access to the data.
Saves Money: OpenXB saves you money as your store grows. You can continue to use Miva Merchant even as you add 5,000 or even 105,000 products to your store. It significantly decreases the search times on your store and provides you with more efficient performance – all without upgrading your hardware or your hosting plan.
Assures Reliability: OpenXB gives you access to a MySQL database without re-writing Miva Merchant thus making the best use of the existing, proven code base while quickly and reliably transitioning your store to a client-server database. With a client-server database you also have the assurance of complete data integrity in your store – something that is particularly important for high volume stores. With all of your data in one database, connecting to external applications that need to share your storefront data is not only easy, it’s the most reliable method to ensure data integrity across all of your applications.
OpenXB Architecture
OpenXB provides a set of plug-in libraries for the MVM for the purpose of utilizing the MySQL Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). Since the OpenXB libraries integrate directly beneath the MIVA Script Application Execution layer, use of the MySQL engine is transparent to the application itself.
Any application written in pure MivaScript can take advantage of the MySQL server backend database without code modifications.
Industry Demand for Standards Based RDBMS Systems
The choice of the database foundation for an application critically affects the performance, speed and data integrity of the software. Many successful software applications are deployed on flat file databases; however, demand for database migration to a true RDBMS has never been higher in the SMB market. This demand for RDBMS backend systems can be attributed to increasingly complex business environments and the declining cost of client-server database technology. In recent years, the prevelance of web-based application deployment has increased dramatically; and with this increase comes the demand for integration of disparate systems. Migration of proprietary systems to SQL92 based systems paves the way to full system integration.
RMXB Technology Foundation
OpenXB is built on our patent-pending RMXB technology. RMXB technology provides a binary-compatible application interface that permits xbase applications to utilize external database servers.
The RMXB Connector is a library suitable for linking directly into an existing application, and is comprised of two interface components- the Client-Side Connector and the Server-Side Connector. When a client-side connector and a server-side connector are joined, they define an RMXB Connector that allows an existing application written for one specific database type to utilize a different database backend without modifying the application.
Client Side Connector
The client-side connector is custom programmed to be binary compatible with the database interface of an existing application. In the case of OpenXB, the client side connector is an xbase3 interface wrapped within the MVM Database API. The MVM Database API is a database abstraction layer designed to route MivaScript database calls through an external library. This API permits third parties to add database functionality directlry into the MivaScript language. The OpenXB Client-Side connector is binary compatible with the Miva Merchant Virtual Machine.
Server Side Connector
The server-side connector is custom programmed to be binary compatible with a particular database engine. In the case of OpenXB, the server-side connector provides a native communications interface to the MySQL server. The MySQL server is a robust SQL92 compliant RDBMS and is available at no cost under the GPL open source license and also under a non-GPL commercial license. The OpenXB library is binary compatible with the MySQL RDBMS.
RMXB AutoMigration Technology
OpenXB features an extension of the core RMXB technology called RMXB AutoMigration Technology. This provides automatic database and index migration from xbase to MySQL. When a script attempts to open a database (table) or index that does not exist within the MySQL database, OpenXB will attempt to open the xbase version of the database or index. If the xbase file exists, the information from the xbase database or index will automatically be migrated into the MySQL tables. The auto-migration algorithm is transparent to the user and permits application data to be transferred from xbase to MySQL on demand.
For more information about Miva Merchant Mia, available for FREE download from Miva Merchant, please visit: http://www.mivamerchant.com/products/mia/
OpenXB is the new name for the product formerly known as OpenDB. Miva Merchant, Miva Merchant Empresa, and MivaScript are trademarks of Miva Merchant. MySQL is a trademark of MySQL A/B. OpenXB, RMXB, RMXB Connector and RMXB AutoMigration are trademarks of Copernicus Business Systems.
OpenXB Architecture
RMXB Technology Foundation
Client Side Connector