Working with Databases

Pianola works with relational databases such as MySQL or PostgreSQL.

A relational database stores structured information in connected tables. This fits the kind of application data that Pianola usually works with, without requiring the application to follow only one fixed database approach.

Building a New Database

A Pianola application can be built with a new database designed for that application.

This is often the right approach when the application is being created from the ground up, or when the existing data does not need to remain in its original database.

If existing data is available, it can be migrated into the new database where appropriate.

Using an Existing Database

Pianola can also be connected to an existing relational database. In this setup, Pianola can act as an application front-end for data that is already stored elsewhere.

Depending on the project, this can allow users to view and edit existing records through Pianola. Read-only access is also possible when the application should display information without changing the underlying data.

Choosing the Right Approach

The right database approach depends on the overall use case.

Sometimes it is better to design a database specifically for the Pianola application. In other cases, it makes more sense for Pianola to work with an existing database directly. When existing data is involved, migration into a new Pianola database can also be simpler than connecting to the original database long term.