The Gnucash database?

[blfs]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Locke" <rlocke at ralii.com>
To: <gnucash-user at gnucash.org>
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2004 9:47 PM
Subject: Re: The Gnucash database?


> On Mon, 2004-07-19 at 22:09, blfs wrote:
> 
> > I wanted to give Gnucash a go, but if I cant import data
> > that is a major stumbling block right from the get go.
> > Is one supposed to start by typing in data?
> 
> I think you've been told repeatedly that yes you can import QIF and OFX
> formatted text files into gnucash since those formats have the necessary
> "financial" information and have been supported by various players in
> the financial software industry....
> 
> But, as was also pointed out to you, you could define your own text file
> format and write a set of routines to massage the information into the
> xml files used by gnucash.  Of course, your mileage may vary....
> 
> But, dealing with a few facts here: you have stated nothing about what
> you mean by a text file.....  If you are talking about a simple CSV file
> of your own choosing, how do you get that into any financial package?
> 
> Now if you want to talk about the big boys that are storing their data
> into DBMS environments, they also pay people to massage the data into
> some pre-defined text file format with all the necessary fields required
> by the accounting package someone is converting to.  Gee, sounds like
> the QIF and OFX formats we've been telling you about.....
> 
> I think you either need to get much more specific on fields, data, etc
> and exactly what you are trying to accomplish.  Because, obviously there
> is not a single person on this list that is understanding you.....
> 
> Help us to help you......
> 

First I know next to nothing about Gnucash, but I 
understand this subject.  

I have read the replys and now I am confused about
another point.  Why isnt Gnucash based on an SQL 
database?  I would also think the design should be
modular so the database engine is seperate from the
program.

This would solve the import problem, the export
problem and a whole host of other problems.

Again, I repeat I am completely ignorant about Gnucash,
but are there any parts of this code that can be run 
without the whole?  It seems that the design of this
program is not modular, but again I am next to
completely ignorant as regards to Gnucash.