Database-assisted publishing in the realm of desktop publishing refers to those programs that provide a bridge between database operations and the typesetting and formating software. At the most basic level, these are akin to the merge operations in word processing software for creating customized sales letters or mailing labels.
Database-Assisted Publishing Software is used for:
Catalogs, directories, and price lists are examples of long and short documents that are frequently created from database information.
Database-Assisted Publishing Software is used by:
Beyond the simple mail merge, database-assisted publishing is used by businesses and organizations of all sizes. Independent designers may also be called on to produce typeset documents that pull from client-provided databases. Database-assisted publishing software, as described here, is primarily thought of as Software for Business Professionals.
Database-Assisted Publishing Software Features:
Programs in this category should handle the import of and formatting of internal or external data either independently or through the seamless operation with front-ends, add-ons, or "bridges" between the database and the typesetting and formatting software.
Primary Software in the Database-Assisted Publishing Category:
Although these programs may also have features that make them suitable to other sub-categories of desktop publishing, they are generally the best choices for the projects and users described in this profile.
- Adobe FrameMaker
- Corel Ventura
- QuarkXPress (with suitable XTensions)
Secondary Software in the Database-Assisted Publishing Category:
The programs in the page layout and SOHO Publishing categories may have some database integration capabilities but may not be able to handle long or complex documents. However, don't count them out. Depending on when you are reading this, upgrades and new plug-ins may have vastly changed their capabilities.
Alternative Database-Assisted Publishing Software:
Although some desktop publishing programs have some built-in integration features, there are numerous third-party solutions that work with the listed programs (and others) to provide for more complex integration and formating. And specialty programs may also be sufficient for your needs if you are doing only mailing labels or small, one time only database publishing.
Disclaimer:
The specific software programs described in this profile are not the only software suitable for these tasks. They are, however, some of the most widely used desktop publishing programs that fit this category. See The Really Big List of Desktop Publishing Software for more ideas.
