Connecting to a database

openLCA is a client server application which works with a MySQL database. In your practical work, you need not be aware of that, and you can use the database in openLCA just as you would use a desktop database and LCA application – but if you like, you can use it as a client server application with a centralised database.

When you start openLCA, you are asked about parameters for the database connection. You can modify the parameters now or later, and can also leave them as they are. You can however, on the MySQL database, define also other users, and a different location of the database in a network. You have also the choice to use either the database that is then embedded in the application, or another database (checking 'use embedded server' obviously will use the database integrated in the application as an embedded server).

First start

When you start openLCA the first time, no database exists; it will be created via an SQL script. So, in order to work with the database, you need to allow its creation.
If you do not, the database is not found, and the application starts with a blank database (the same picture you get in case your firewall blocked the start of the MySQL database):

Create a new database

To create a new database click on „Create new database” and you will see following window:

In this window, you have to name the database and you can choose, if you want to import default unit groups and flow properties, and default flows. If you do not import these defaults the corresponding categories will be empty and you have to create them on your own.
Please note, that the database will only be created if it is started.

Runtime directory

For the application, a runtime directory or workspace is created on your machine. It is called 'runtime-open LCA.product' and usually located in your user directory. If you use an embedded server (i.e. if you checked 'use embedded server' at start), then the database is also created in the workspace, in a database subdirectory.