Which database?

[NekoManu]

Can someone give me some advice on which database to use?

 

I am starting with C#.NET but I have not made a disicion on which database to use. I only have small databases (a few hunderds of records).

 

Up till now I used MS Access and I like that very much. Since the new Visual Studio came with SQL Server I was thinking of switching to SQL Server.

Now I'm not so sure anymore. The problems I have with installing SQL Server are many.

Advantage of SQL Server:

• It is suppossed to be fast
  

 

Disadvantage of SQL Server:

• It works for a while and it stops working without a reason; you need to reinstall .NET, Visual Studio, SQL Server to get it working again.
  
• I can't seem to get it working over a network
  
• It slows down my PC considerably
  

 

Advantage of MS Access

• It works
  
• It is easy to install and use
  
• It works over a network
  
• It doesn't need something running in the backgorund slowing down my PC
  

 

Disadvantage of MS Access

• It is suppossed to be old
  

 

So I would like some advice on this and maybe there is another solution?

 

Thanks

[Nerseus]

If this is for sample apps or even some kind of shareware app, I would go with Access for the exact reasons you mentioned: it's easy to setup/copy the ONE file (or two if you add a password) and it's "fast enough".

 

SQL Server is extremely expensive. The version that comes with Visual Studio is a developer edition that can't be redistributed while the Access DB can (assuming you own a copy of Office that came with Access or Access by itself).

 

An alternative is MSDE (Microsoft Data Engine) which is basically a limited version of SQL Server. It's a lot harder to setup than either Access or SQL Server as there are no GUI tools, command line only. I'd take at least 30-60 minutes to read the readme file before attempting to set it up and maybe more if you want to have it run on a network. Its advantage? It's faster than Access, much more robust, and more secure.

 

Don't get pulled into the hype that Access is slow or "old". It's an excellent choice for learning Database "stuff" and even for distributing your EXE. I've seen lots of professional software that use Access including one of my favorite applications: ThumbsPlus.

 

-ner