What is best database format for single user app.

[RonR51]

As a part time programmer, I have used Delphi for several years mostly for relatively small applications. I am now writing my first serious database application and it is progressing well, but I am not sure if I am using the best database format for the job.

The application is a complex engineering model where users will define or select a large range of parameters in several tables using the database features of the app. I am currently using Paradox tables as the app is only a single user local machine program. I have already created about 22 separate tables for various aspects of the program, some have over 40 variables while others are quite small and used mainly as lookup tables for fields in other tables. I have noticed that the number of files that make up my database has grown to over 60 with all the DB, VAL, PX files etc. The number of records in any of the tables will never be an issue as there will never be more than a few hundred records stored at any one time.

My main question is, should I be using a different database format to perhaps contain all the tables within one file.

Thanks in anticipation

Ron R

 

[nasrogers]

I used paradox tables for years. As long as they don't grow too large (~100mb) and that the app isn't multi-user networked, it suited our purposes. We did find it a little flakey around corrupt files but it was mostly in networked environments. also, stay away from autoinc fields.

Having said that... I moved to FoxPro db's...stay away! Borland admits that the native FoxPro driver should be used with the BDE for readonly access. Personally, I have never worked on an application that is readonly only!

I did use Advantage for one project and was quite impressed with it. It allows you to move away from the BDE. I found the database engine's perormance for local use to be comparable to the BDE. The databases themselves were very robust and did not have size limitations like the BDE does (5.11).

Depending upon the app, I'd use Paradox or Advantage!
ps. Advantage local db engine is free.

 

[svanels]

Consider using Interbase for your application. You can run it locally or in a later stadium you can use it for a Client server application. It is free and comes with Delphi professional.
Upsizing from paradox to interbase is a breeze with the datapump. In most cases after upsizing you need only to modify the alias in the BDE administrator.
I agree with nasrogers to stay away from autoinc fields, which will generate problems. S. van Els
SAvanEls@cq-link.sr