Database questions

[tchawk]

I am slowly having a chance to get my database updated in DB Browser and show the operator and country flags as well as silhouettes that have been missing in my VRS list. Thanks for all of those that have made those .bmp's for me to utilize. I am wondering though about owners, etc that don't have a flag what everyone does? Do you just leave that box blank on VRS? My OCD is getting the best of me and I am hating seeing the blank spots where I have been able to fill in others. I know I asked about someone making a Lifeflight.bmp for me (thanks again for that) but I am seeing leasing companies and other smaller companies such as Winthrop Aviation LLC and MTK Leasing for example that don't have a website to use like that Life Flight one to make the .bmp out of. I'm not sure how to handle these.

And I figured out how to make my own operator .bmp's but not sure how to go about the .bmp naming conventions so have held off on that. How does that work? Just pick a name?

Second question, in DB Browser, how do I hide all of the columns in the Aircraft table of the database that I am not utilizing at this time since I am new to all of this? I have been able to right click and hide them and compress the view so I don't have to scroll a mile to the right to get to the operator flag box, but once I search the Mode S column to get to an aircaft I want to add a flag or silhouette to, they all show back up. I don't necessarily want to delete them as I may eventually use them (maybe?), I just want to hide them so I am not having to use the scroll bar so much. This is my first foray into SQLite and DB Browser, so forgive me for being dumb about all of it.

I welcome any help or suggestions, thanks.

[Anmer]

I'll try and help with a couple of questions.

I only use an "operator" logo for airlines, including aircraft owned by a leasing company.  If it operates scheduled flights, it gets a logo.  I extend this to freight operators.  For business and general aviation aircraft I use a silhouette.  There are too many small operators to warrant a logo,  Especially as their aircraft don't normally display a logo.

As for naming the .bmp file, you can choose anything that doesn't already exist.  Just make sure you use the same name as the OperatorFlag for the aircraft record, omitting the .bmp.

Are you using this DB browser?

https://sqlitebrowser.org/

If you are, you can hide columns by right mouse click on the column header and choose "Hide Columns".

See attached.

[tchawk]

Thank you for the response, Anmer.

In the case where it shows as "Private", I place a Private.bmp in the Operator Flag box as seen in this pic of the list, as the flight that I have a green box around will get. I guess you are right as there are a ton of smaller operators to keep up with as I am finding out and I guess I will just use a "Private" for their operator flag as well. They have a Leasing name, company name or something listed as I mentioned in my original post and most do not have a website to pull an image from to make a logo .bmp. I just dislike having that blank spot/box.

I am finding that as far as silhouettes of the aircraft, I have been able to get most of the aircraft silhouette.bmp's to fill that box out. I still do have to look for one from time to time, but a gallery search has been good at finding the missing ones I have. Even most of the private aircraft have a silhouette already in the database which is nice.

And yes, I am using that DB Browser it looks like, DB Browser for SQLite. As mentioned, I can do as you do and right click to select that choice you show to Hide Column(s), but if I am searching for a specific aircraft using the filter, they all reappear. For instance, if I have all columns visible and hide the ones that I don't want to see using that method, (UserBool1 for example), If I click on filter on the Mode S column to use a specific planes number to find it and add an operator flag .bmp, UserBool1 will show back up. It is also working the opposite way, if I am already filtered down to a specific flight and hide UserBool1, then once I clear that filter using the X in the Mode S filter cell, UserBool1 will show back up. The hide column function is acting as only a temporary thing and I would like it to hide them until I un-hide them if possible.

[Anmer]

If I hide a column and then use Filter, the hidden column(s) doesn't reappear?

What version of DB Browser are you using?

[tchawk]

I am using the same version as you. Although I just discovered that perhaps I was going about my search incorrectly. Maybe not incorrectly, as it worked, but in a way that was 'canceling' my column hiding.  I was typically using the filter at the top of each column I wanted to search in. If I instead use the larger bar above for a whole database search, the hidden columns stay hidden. Still not sure why an individual column search would cancel the column hiding, but I guess it is what it is. Red line is where I had been searching and it would cancel the hiding of columns. Green box is where I can search and not cancel the hiding of columns.

[Anmer]

Thanks.

I was using the global filter.  If I use the column filter, the hidden columns reappear as they do for you.

[tchawk]

Good to know that it's consistent.  As long as I know where to do my searches going forward. Thanks for checking into that. As I said previously, I don't want to delete the columns, as I may, in a couple of years, get to know the program well enough to actually use some of the features it offers with those columns. Whatever they may be.

[Pete]

Hi.  Sorry to hijack this question but can I ask a question?  I usually use SQLite as my DB editor but having read this thread have downloaded DB Browser, as it seems to contain more options.  I've managed to temporarily hide columns but have been unable to master hiding them using the global filter.  As an example, what would be the format for hiding the PreviousID column?  Also, if I then wanted to restore that column, what would be the procedure?  Many thanks.  Pete

[Anmer]

The global filter doesn't hide columns.  Right mouse clicking a column heading offers the hide option. 

The global filter works across all columns and doesn't unhide a column.  But if one uses the column specific filter the previously hidden columns show again.

To show previously hidden colums, right mouse click on any column heading and select "Show all columns".

[Pete]

Hi Anmer

Thanks for that.  Just to clarify, what command would I use in the global filter box or is it definitely a non-starter? 

Moving on, if I cannot temporarily hide columns and definitely have no future use for them, can they be deleted and BS still work?

Regards

Pete

[Anmer]

Thanks for that.  Just to clarify, what command would I use in the global filter box or is it definitely a non-starter? 

Just type into the box.  For example to display Boeing B747 400 type "B744".  But remember it searches across all columns.  Filtering on "Bri" produces lots of results!

Moving on, if I cannot temporarily hide columns and definitely have no future use for them, can they be deleted and BS still work?

Maybe, maybe not.

I suggest you practice on a backed up copy of the sqb file.

Personally I would stay clear of changing the sqb structure as what works one day may not on another and you could find yourself with a corrupted database.  Possibly without a fall-back option.

[Pete]

Thanks, once again, Anmer.

[tchawk]

Thanks, once again, Anmer.

Yes, thank you Anmer for all of your help and guidance. And patience.