Hi,
I have been using Lotus Notes at work for my mails but now I want to create a simple notes database with 3 or 4 tables. A contacts database with entities like Company, Contact, Product. Is this possible? What do I need to get started?
I have absolutely no idea how to implement this, as i’m a complete newbie in lotus notes although I knw SQL Server.
Can some1 please point me in the right direction. Look forward to your reply, thanks!
P.s. I am using Lotus Notes 6.5
Subject: How to create a simple database in Notes
Hello Asif , Lotus notes is no way compared to SQL or anyother technology as far as designing is concerned.You can create database but you cannot design it as you desire without having the designer tools installed in your machine and the expertise to use designer tools.
Subject: RE: How to create a simple database in Notes
Thanks Ravi.
How/Where do I get the designer tools? I need to create this notes database asap. Hopefully, this shouldn’t be too difficult. I understand it is very different to a traditional RDBMS…Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot.
Subject: RE: How to create a simple database in Notes
Arif
You can download trial version for the domino designer.
Find out in IBM Site.
You can learn the desginer tools in IBM’s redbook.
http://publib-b.boulder.ibm.com/abstracts/sg246854.html?Open
Subject: RE: How to create a simple database in Notes
I’ve been meaning to create a little video showing how to do this… But there are many books out there to get you started – Domino Designer 6 A Developer’s Handbook is one that’s free to download or read online.
Subject: RE: How to create a simple database in Notes
Designer is not a freeware .It needs license to use.Please check with you local system admin for the same.If you are beginner , Even if you have the designer tool you need to have fair amount of knowledge on designer to built an application.I’m afraid learning of designer cannot be done in a day or two without the guidance of exp professional.
Subject: RE: How to create a simple database in Notes
I disagree with respect to the amount of knowledge. I’ve seen newbie developers with virtually no other computer experience create their first simple Notes databases within hours. Of course, creating a complex application with multiple document related document does take more experience, but there are many excellent books and tutorials out there. Since you said you are on Domino 6.x, I’ll mention this one: Amazon.com: Lotus Notes and Domino 6 Programming Bible: 9788126504169: Benz, Brian, Oliver, Rocky: Books
Of course, I’m biased about that particular books since I helped with the writing on the introductory chapters. 
Subject: How to create a simple database in Notes
Where SQL db’s are relational databases, Domino db’s are document centric databases. That is forms are used to create and display data in various ways.
Think of it as old school paper systems. If you have to order some supplies you would grab a pre-printed purchase order form and fill it out. Once you filled it out it then becomes a document in other words all the required fields are filled in and you would then pass it onto the next person who would then approve it or order the items.
You might need to get informastion from the Rolodex as to the name and address information of the vender you are buying it from. Consider the rolodex card as another document.
This is how Notes would handle it. A PO form is created in designer. The PO form has the same fields on it all the time like Vender name, Address, City, St, Zip, telephone, Item Number, Description, Qty, Amount, Total Amount etc. etc.
A vender form also is designed. Vender documetns are created for each vender. Same information on each document created ie: Vender name, Address, City, St, Zip, telephone.
Now when one creates a Purchase Order Document, then Notes can automatically pull in the data from the vender document and populate the PO document with the info. Then they would fill out the item information as required. It can be set up to do all the calculations also.
So now you have a collection of electronic documents stored in the database, sort of like a collection of hard copy documents in a file cabinets. Notes displays the electronic information in views, displaying only some of the fields or all of the fields depending upon what the user needs to see. So what you are doing is displaying information from the documents not from tables.
This might help explain why it is not the same as SQL db’s.
Also, regarding designing a database, If you understand Visual Basic, then you have a good start at understanding the logic with LotudScript which is the programming language used. Also, There is formula language which use what we @Functions. This is kinda similar to programming a spreadsheet using functions but the syntax might be different.
Mike