queries on mysql

Fred Verschueren fvsc at fremar.be
Mon Nov 22 13:15:47 EST 2010


Derek et al,

1. I do not want to move *all* data of one account to another one but 
"spread" the data from that account to several others.

2. I understand the problems and danger of using sql directly on the DB.

3. You mention an alternative by writing a (python) program using the API.
Where can I find documentation on this API?

Fred

Op 22-11-10 16:54, Derek Atkins schreef:
> Phil,
>
> Phil Longstaff<plongstaff at rogers.com>  writes:
>
>> I will put some info on the wiki.  Give me a day or so.
> I would prefer you didn't.  If you supply instructions then that implies
> an implicit acceptance in the practice.  I believe we should continue to
> have a hardline stance that we do not support modification of the
> database from under the GnuCash API.  More below..
>
>> From: Fred Verschueren<fvsc at fremar.be>
>>
>> Ls,
>>
>> I'm currently working with version 2.3.17 with mysql as database.
>>
>> I need to do a lot of changes in my accounts, moving a lot of entries from one
>> account to another.
>>
>> Now I was wondering if this could be done with some queries (SQL) on the
>> database.
>>
>> I'm wiling to investigate this and if I have a solution give this back to the
>> community but to do this investigation I need to know the layout of the DB: what
>> is the meaning of each table, the links between the tables aso.
>>
>> My questions:
>>
>> - is this investigation already done and what is the outcome?
>> - where can I find the needed information about the DB.
> We do not support modifications to the database from outside the GnuCash
> API.  The reasoning is that we have a bunch of data constraints that are
> not encoded in the database (and indeed cannot be encoded in the
> database).  For example, how do you encode that all transactions must be
> balanced?  Or that the parent of an account must have an appropriate
> account type?
>
> While it *is* possible to modify the data directly (this is a computer,
> afterall -- the data is there), we neither recommend nor support doing
> so, because it's quite possible to make your data unreadable, or worse,
> readable with subtle errors.
>
> I hope this answers your question, even if it isn't what you wanted to
> hear.
>
> Now, you COULD write a scheme or python script (or a C program) to make
> the changes for you....  This would allow you to use the GnuCash API and
> not violate the constraints.
>
> Another thing:  if you want to move *all* the entries from one account
> to another then just delete the account and GnuCash will ask you where
> you want to move them.
>
> Good Luck,
>
>> Kind regards,
>> Fred Verschueren.
> -derek
>



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