Add hint to install missing driver when library drop-down is empty

[gcarreno]

Description

I've imported the settings that I exported from my wine install.
Everything looks proper, apart from the field that should contain the .so file.
I'm not sure why, but all my connections are missing them, but more concerning, the drop-down is actually empty, so I can't even correct that after importing the settings

This also leads to the fact that if you click on the Open button, the dialog that tells you that the file is missing, shows up. I'm guessing this is because of the empty driver/.so file.

HeidiSQL version

12.11.1.167

Database server version

At least MySQL/MariaDB

Reproduction recipe

Forgot to mention: System is Ubuntu 25.04 64b with GNOME

1. Export settings from Windows/wine instance
2. Import settings from Linux instance
3. Select a connection
4. Press the drop-down to select a driver
5. The drop-down is empty.

ScreenShot

Misc

Since I found the settings.json file, here's what it lists for the Library:

{
  "Servers" : {
    "Cake CMS" : {
      "Library" : "libmariadb.dll"
    }
  }
}

Dumb question: Should not this field be automatically changed to the proper Linux equivalent, upon import?

[gcarreno]

Hey Ansgar,

Ok, apparently, due to the fact that I don't have MariaDB installed, HeidiSQL is not able to find the .so, hence leaving it blank...

I did try and change the Library to PostgreSQL, since I do have an instance running, and HeidiSQL was able to fill in the Library. I need to setup one of my PostgreSQL sessions, if I'm able to bloody remember the password 😃

Also tried SQLite and it also finds the proper .so.

I've also tried really hard to understand what .so MySQL drops around the system, and I failed completely. Even searched using the Synaptic package manager, but the only .so that I found are under /usr/lib/mysql/plugin and none seems good for the part.

We'll have to sort out this eventually since:

1. Ubuntu still ships with MySQL
2. I tried to install the mariadb-client package, but aborted because that would uninstall all my MySQL stuff, and I still have a ton of data there.

I'm guessing that you kinda made a choice to use the MariaDB for both, since it can interface with any. But I'm kinda stuck with MySQL, with no .so in sight 😦

Let me know if you find a solution for this particular dilemma.

Cheers,
Gus

[gcarreno]

Hey Ansgar,

Welp, if I ain't dumb as a door nob !!!!

Looks like under Ubuntu, I should've installed libmysqlclient-dev, or default-libmysqlclient-dev(Meta package), cuz once I did, I now have those Library fields all filled up!!!

And HeidiSQL even connects to the bloody database 🤦 😡 🤦 😡 🤦 😡 🤦 😡 🤦 😡.

So.... I'm now closing this issue to avoid further embarrassment from my own stupid ignorance!!!

Cheers,
Gus

[ansgarbecker]

The .deb package should have required you to have one of these installed: libmysqlclient21 | libmariadb3 | libpq5 | sqlite3.

I'm quite new to this package stuff, however, if you don't have the wanted library installed then the drop-down is empty, and HeidiSQL does not yet show a nice error. In that situation there should be some explanation, that the user may need to install a library, or something.

[gcarreno]

The .deb package should have required you to have one of these installed: libmysqlclient21 | libmariadb3 | libpq5 | sqlite3.

AH-HA, that makes sense!!

This is what I found out:

• For MySQL/MariaDB you need the *-dev packages:
  • libmysqlclient-dev or default-libmysqlclient-dev( At least on Ubuntu )
  • libmariadb-dev
• For PostgreSQL you don't need the *-dev package, cuz libpq5 has what's needed
• For SQLite you need the libsqlite3-dev package

At least on my Ubuntu, that is what I was able to deduce.
It may be the same across the board for all Debian descendant dists, or Ubuntu descendant dists, like Mint and such.

The fact that your .deb did not fail and I was still without the needed .so is probably because you're not using the *-dev packages for MySQL/MariaDB/SQLite in the dependencies.

I'm quite new to this package stuff

Quite understandable. I too have dabbled in creating .debs, and I was always rather confused on how to properly list the required dependencies. So welcome to the club 🥰

if you don't have the wanted library installed then the drop-down is empty, and HeidiSQL does not yet show a nice error. In that situation there should be some explanation, that the user may need to install a library, or something.

Completely agree!! And sorry for dumping more work on your shoulder!! 🤗

[gcarreno]

Hey Ansgar(@ansgarbecker),

I've had a look at the control file and I think I know why the package installed without a problem:
This is the line you have:

Depends: libmysqlclient21 | libmariadb3 | libpq5 | sqlite3

That, to me, due to it being all ORs, means that if any of the ones listed is satisfied, the dependency check passes.

I'll need to check the correct syntax, but we need some ANDs in there...
Something like this, according to my lill fiend ChatGPT:

Depends: libmariadb-dev | libmysqlclient-dev, libpq5, libsqlite3-dev

To clarify:

• OR = |
• AND = ,

And I'm hoping that the order in the OR makes the package manager opt for the first.
Or you could just do this:

Depends: libmariadb-dev, libpq5, libsqlite3-dev

Cuz the MariaDB lib can handle both and is more efficient and less license messy.
And if the user REALLY needs the MySQL one, we can always put that in the docs 😉 😈.

That should solve the thing, at least for Mysql/MariaDB, PostgreSQL and SQLite.
Once you get the MS Server code up to snuff, we'll need to revisit this.

Nonetheless, this leaves some other stuff that HeidiSQL under windows supports. Not sure what you wanna do about that... And we even haven't touched the SSH side of things...

Suggestion:

Depends: libmariadb-dev, libpq5, libsqlite3-dev, openssh-client

This will guaranty that you can use ssh instead of putty.exe, right?

Cheers,
Gus

[ansgarbecker]

Yes, the | means OR - that's for users who for instance don't need MySQL and SQLite, but just PostgreSQL. Altering these to ,/AND would blow up such user's library folders, or?

But yes, openssh-client should be AND-ed, as it's used for multiple network types.

[gcarreno]

Yes, the | means OR - that's for users who for instance don't need MySQL and SQLite, but just PostgreSQL. Altering these to ,/AND would blow up such user's library folders, or?

While I do admit that you have a point here, let me explain my rationale:

• HeiSQL supports the major 3: Mysql/MariaDB, PostgreSQL and SQLite
• The average Linux programmer will probably have databases hosted in one or more of those
• The lib*.so packages are quite light, so not much bloat
• This way, about 90% of all the devs will have the starting point for the basics from the get go
• If you ever looked at the vendor folders for some languages( 👀 looking at you JavaScript ), they will surpass the size of the above 3 packages by the TON

So yeah, lets AND the major 3, with the OR for MariaDB/MySQL!!
For the remainder of the stuff that HeidiSQL supports, like Interbase and Firebird, there's always the "Suggest" field.

But yes, openssh-client should be AND-ed, as it's used for multiple network types.

Indeed, could not agree more !!