| Database Toolbox | |
About the Visual Query Builder
The Visual Query Builder (VQB) is an easy-to-use graphical user interface for retrieving data from your database. With the VQB, you build queries to retrieve data by selecting information from lists rather than by entering MATLAB functions. The VQB retrieves the data from a database and puts it in a MATLAB cell array so you can process the data using MATLAB's suite of functions. With the VQB, you can display the retrieved information in relational tables, reports, and charts.
Visual Query Builder Interface
To start the Visual Query Builder interface, type querybuilder at the MATLAB prompt.
The following illustration depicts the key features of the interface and points out the main steps that you perform, in order, from 1 through 10, to build and run a query using the interface. These steps are detailed in examples throughout this chapter.
When to Use the Visual Query Builder
If you want to retrieve information from relational databases for use in MATLAB and you are not familiar with the Structured Query Language (SQL) and database applications, use the Visual Query Builder.
If you are familiar with SQL and your database applications, use the Visual Query Builder to build SQL queries easily and to import results into MATLAB, or use Database Toolbox functions instead.
When to Use Database Toolbox Functions
Use the Database Toolbox functions to:
You can also use Database Toolbox functions instead of the Visual Query Builder to import data into MATLAB. For information on how to use the functions, see Chapter 3, Tutorial for Functions and Chapter 4, Function Reference.
| | Starting the Database Toolbox | Examples Using the Visual Query Builder | |
