15
Recommend a simple local FLOSS database for beginners? (piefed.social)
submitted 2 weeks ago by klu9@piefed.social to c/linux4noobs@programming.dev
10 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Context

I've started a Fediverse watch party (#ReMonsterdon on Mastodon) & want to store & organize info about it (films shown; films scheduled to be shown; candidates for showing; dates; relevant links like streams, trailers, Wikipedia; images like film posters etc).

At the moment, I'm using a combination of stuff on my computer, i.e. a folder with text & image files, and a collection on NeoDB, a Fediverse media catalogue.

But I'd like a more all-in-one & organized/organizable file (easy to search, sort etc). A lot of people use a spreadsheet for that kind of thing. But I was under the impression that that's what databases are for.

I don't know much about either. I use spreadsheets very little and databases not at all (except NeoDB, I suppose).

Request

Is there a simple, local, FLOSS, GUI database, suitable for beginners, that I could use for this?

(I had a look at my installation of LibreOffice, but for some reason the options for creating a Base file are greyed out or missing).

(I am not yet ready to try self-hosting. So something that is local, preferably in a system package, .deb or .AppImage. My OS: Linux Mint 22.2 Xfce.)

Thanks in advance

top 10 comments
sorted by: hot top new old
[-] LordMayor@piefed.social 7 points 1 week ago

There’s nothing wrong with using a spreadsheet for that purpose.

Sure, use a database if you think it’s going to grow very big, need complicated queries or will be the backend of a service. Or, you just want to learn about databases.

Libre Office will work with native flat files or other db backend. SQLite with a gui app is good for learning SQL.

[-] klu9@piefed.social 2 points 1 week ago

Thanks for the tips

[-] anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz 5 points 2 weeks ago

Linux Mint doesn't install libreoffice-base but you can add it through Synaptic (the graphical package manager) or with apt.
apt install libreoffice-base

[-] klu9@piefed.social 1 points 1 week ago

Thanks for that

[-] FishFace@piefed.social 3 points 1 week ago

I would say there is no such thing as a "simple" database system. Databases are extremely complicated.

[-] forestbeasts@pawb.social 1 points 2 days ago

I mean, they're not THAT complicated. Don't be dissuaded from learning if you wanna learn! But more complicated than a spreadsheet for sure... at least for basic stuff. Advanced stuff, maybe not so much, just different.

[-] nullPointer@programming.dev 2 points 1 week ago

SQLite and any of a plethora of front ends.

[-] anamethatisnt@sopuli.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago

Disclaimer: I haven't used any of these apps but they all offer different gui database systems so one might suit you.

Symphytum
nocodb
kexi

[-] klu9@piefed.social 1 points 1 week ago

Thanks, looking into Kexi now

[-] sunrisepirate@piefed.social 2 points 1 week ago

Another alternative to a database that will let you practice SQL is duckdb.

I use it frequently at work with python and parquet files which are type safe, compact, and very performant. I use Python with Positron as my IDE (I'm a data scientist) and it has a built in parquet viewer that makes the data exploration a little less abstract.

this post was submitted on 17 May 2026
15 points (100.0% liked)

linux4noobs

4185 readers
4 users here now

linux4noobs

Noob Friendly, Expert Enabling

Whether you're a seasoned pro or the noobiest of noobs, you've found the right place for Linux support and information. With a dedication to supporting free and open source software, this community aims to ensure Linux fits your needs and works for you. From troubleshooting to tutorials, practical tips, news and more, all aspects of Linux are warmly welcomed. Join a community of like-minded enthusiasts and professionals driving Linux's ongoing evolution.

Seeking Support?

Community Rules

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
PlutoParty@programming.dev