Database

What are the basics of setting up and using a database on a PDA (palm)? Any recommendations about a database to use?

You can set up a database on a PDA but probably you won't be able to access it from J2ME as I understand , it is against security considerations of CLDC. You can ofcourse use RMS

Here are some interesting articles:
Using Record Stores Efficiently by Eric Giguere
MIDP Database Programming Using RMS: a Persistent Storage for MIDLets by Qusay Mahmoud
Record Management System Basics by Eric Giguere

First of all, there is not relational database in PALM, it only have flat-file database system.
If you use PALM SDK, you can create a binary or ascii database.
If you use RMS in J2ME, you can create binary database only.
Oracle have a Oracle lite for handheld, PALM, PDA, but don't think it is a relational database. It is just a remote database management console for your Oracle database at PC or Unix.
Cheer,
David Chan