UK-based Ladybridge Systems has announced availability of the OpenQM MultiValue database software on the Raspberry Pi computer. The Raspberry Pi computer launched in February 2012 by the Raspberry Pi Foundation is a credit card-sized computer with a price tag of under $35, featuring 512MB RAM, SD card data storage, two USB ports, high definition video and Ethernet connectivity. Primarily intended as an educational tool, enthusiasts have purchased these devices as fast as they can be manufactured, says Ladybridge.
"Making OpenQM available on the Raspberry Pi is one element of a project to increase awareness of the MultiValue data model,” says Martin Phillips, technical director of Ladybridge Systems. “Our belief is that by exposing students to this model before they are indoctrinated in the more restrictive relational model, they will be in a better position to make reasoned decisions regarding the appropriate model for projects that they may encounter later in their careers."
The data model used by OpenQM and other MultiValue database products allows storage of multi-dimensional data, significantly decreasing the number of tables needed in an application compared to the relational model, simplifying development, increasing performance and reducing costs.
OpenQM is also available on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, AIX, Solaris and the PDA. Application software is largely compatible across all platforms.
The Raspberry Pi version of OpenQM is available free of charge to genuine educational establishments. Outline teaching materials introducing database concepts will be available shortly.
For further information see www.openqm.com or email sales@ladybridge.com.