db2 vs Access

[mikej28621]

We are haveing a custom java program written. Our developer wants to use DB2 express personal edition as the database. We are much more familure with MS Access tables or our second choice would be MSDE.

Does anybody have thoughts on the pros and cons of either format.

Can Java talk to an Access file natively or do you have to have some form of the Jet engine/ODBC (I also read about an ODBC to JDBC connector).

Thanks

 

[idarke]

I cannot give you specifics, but at one time I was frustrated because Access did not support the SQL statements I was attempting to use to query a database. I had to scale back to a simpler solution.

I also have a commercial product (ThumbsPlus) that uses Access as its database backend. I wrote a Java program to use the tables using JDBC and defining the database as an ODBC data source. When I upgraded ThumbsPlus and compacted the database, it was no longer in a format that my copy of Access NOR my java program would recognize. I presume that I will have to upgrade my version of Access to read the database again.

These are two issues I've encountered using Access as a database backend. If your developer is comfortable with DB2, I'd let him have his way.

 

[sedj]

Access is about as scalable as a small piece of string, and also does not support ANSI SQL, stored procedures and so on.

I would use a free DB like MySQL or Postgres - both very good scalable ANSI SQL databases.

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http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[stefanwagner]

I don't have experiences with DB2, but would try everything to avoid Access.
It's only easy for beginners - for an intermediate expert it's only producing anger.
The JDBC-ODBC inteface is - hm - old and poor.
DB2 will run on multiple plattforms - won't it?
What is MSDE? Sounds like 'MS'.

seeking a job as java-programmer in Berlin:

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[chiph]

Stay far away from Access.

So far as using MSDE (Desktop Edition of SQL Server), the Microsoft type 4 JDBC drivers only have so-so support from MS (since they're no longer in the Java business).

DB2 and/or Oracle would be very good (albeit expensive). MySQL, while not free for commercial uses, is good enough (as long as you don't need to do nested SELECTs) and is reasonably priced. I don't have any experience with Postgres.

Chip H.


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[sedj]

chiph :

I didn't realise that MySQL was not free for non-commercial ... live and learn.

I do belive that Postgres is free for commercial use (though could be wrong).

Postgres now has a spatial database capacity aswell, which is nice

--------------------------------------------------
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http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[chiph]

Borland's database (I forget the name) I think is now open source. Could be wrong.

Chip H.


____________________________________________________________________
If you want to get the best response to a question, please read FAQ222-2244 first

 

[pullingteeth]

Access is great for rapid development of WIN32 desktop database systems. Outside that domain, it is relatively useless, and will be a headache in the long term.

Doesn't DB2 only run on AS400s? If you have an AS400 to host your data, then by *all means* use DB2. If it'll be on a win or 'nix box, go with MySQL or PostGres.

 

[mikej28621]

Thanks to all...

Yes, there are versions of DB2 for about every platform including Windows. It's a good product, we are just a MS shop on the PC.

We have decided to use Cloudscape at

http://www-306.ibm.com/software/data/cloudscape/

a java based open-source database recently released by IBM.

Thanks again

 

[sedj]

Cloudscape ??? I would be intersted in knowing your reasons for disregarding established dbs like Oracle, MySQL or Postgres ...

--------------------------------------------------
Free Database Connection Pooling Software

http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[mikej28621]

sedj,

Free, java based and easily intrgates with java, small footprint only 2MB. Project has very minimal database requirements. Very good drivers. Seemed like a good match. Our developer is comfortable in the IBM space.

Thanks

 

[sedj]

I have to say, I'm a fairly "fully paid up Java guy", but I would never consider using Java to write a db ... its just not going to be as scalable, or as quick, or have a memory footprint of databases written in a native language. There are things fit very well using Java, and there are things that just don't.

You have to remember that Java is just an interface to native compiled code, in that whenever some Java code talks to the operating system (all IO, file & socket for example), Java just calls C/C++ routines. And in a database, there is a stack load of socket & file IO - and it cannot be as quick as a native db.

Cloudscape's drivers conform to JDBC, as do all db's these days, and you, as a client app author will not find using Cloudscape any easier than another db.

Just my opinion, but I think you are making a big mistake !
Use the right tools for the right job.


--------------------------------------------------
Free Database Connection Pooling Software

http://www.primrose.org.uk

 

[pullingteeth]

I second Sedj's opinion. A native DB is going to be far superior performance wise.

 

[stefanwagner]

I don't know cloudspace, but hsqldb, which is a java-based, small and fast in-memory-only database.

If 'free and small and few database requirements' is the project-scope, I would consider using it.
Why not use postgresql or mysql?

But Oracle isn't very cheap, and I guess you need an expensive DBA to manage it.

seeking a job as java-programmer in Berlin:

http://home.arcor.de/hirnstrom/bewerbung