Re: Supporting non-free SQL clients in ob-sql (was: [PATCH] ob-sql: Add support for Athena)

[Richard Stallman]

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  > > This raises two questions.
  > > 
  > > 1. For this purpose, what kind of thing is "the Oracle Database"?
  > > a. A library to link with?
  > > b. A program to run in a subprocess?

  > It is program that runs in a subprocess.

  > > c. A server running SaaSS?

  > Theoretically it could be as access may be network based. 

  > But according to my knowledge this product is proprietary and may be
  > downloaded and run on users' computer or network computers.

Any nonfree program that users can install to run in a subprocess,
they can easily arrange to communicate with through sockets over the
net.  Thus, supporting a case of (b) implies supporting also the
scenarion (c).

So, if our rules say that (b) is ok in a certain case, we need not worry
separately about (c).

  > > 2. How does Emacs communicate with that thing?
  > > a. By function calls within a process?

  > Yes.

Based on the details you gave, I think we are miscommunicating.
You're saying that a Lisp program communicates with the Oracle
database through calls to other Lisp packages -- but that doesn't
address this question.  Those other Lisp packages are free
and running inside Emacs.

This question is how Emacs communicates with the Oracle database
program.

  > (defcustom sql-oracle-program "sqlplus"
  >   "Command to start sqlplus by Oracle.

If it uses comint mode, it is talking with that program
through a pty or pipe.  So the answer is c.

  > > b. Via shared memory?
  > > c. Via a pty or pipe?
  > > d. Via sockets?

But this text from a doc string makes me concerned

  > On Windows, \"sqlplus\" usually starts the sqlplus \"GUI\".  In order
  > to start the sqlplus console, use \"plus33\" or something similar.
  > You will find the file in your Orant\\bin directory."

because it isn't clear.  It is sketchy.  An expert on running that
database on Windows might understand it, but someone who only knows
about Emacs can't even try.

How does sql.el communicate with sqlplus on Windows?

-- 
Dr Richard Stallman (https://stallman.org)
Chief GNUisance of the GNU Project (https://gnu.org)
Founder, Free Software Foundation (https://fsf.org)
Internet Hall-of-Famer (https://internethalloffame.org)