MiniVend can use any of a number of SQL databases through the powerful Perl DBI/DBD access methods. No SQL database is included with MiniVend, but there are a number widely available on the net, and many are free for non-commercial use. Some examples include mSQL, mySQL, Solid, and Qbase.
It is beyond the scope of this document to describe SQL, mSQL, or DBI/DBD, and we will not attempt to. Sufficient familiarity is assumed.
In most cases, MiniVend cannot perform administrative functions like creating a database or setting access permissions. This must be done with the tools provided with your SQL distribution. But if given a blank database and the permission to read and write it, MiniVend can import ASCII files and bootstrap you from there.