Which Database to Use?

[Rafool]

Hi,

I'm trying to start a new web site on a relatively large scale, with a giant listing of lots of info (>1,000,000 records), and lots of information within each record. I need it to be relatively powerful but not overboard. And it will have some e-commerce functions in them. I don't even know where to start; anyone have any recommendations for good web database backends? Oracle, SQL, J2EE, ASP, I'm getting lost among them!

Thanks.

 

[SQLSister]

Personally I like SQL Server. It's fast, full-featured and easy to administer. It's big disadvantage is it only runs on a server with a Microsoft operating system.

Oracle is also a good database, but seems to be somewhat more complex to learn and administer. It will run on any operating system as far as I know.

Either of these two can easily handle the number of records you specify and can handle being on multiple servers, etc.

BTW, J2EE and ASP are not databases, they are used for programming the application. But you will need a database in addition to them.

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[willir]

I have worked with several DBA's and they all told me the same thing...

MS*SQL
...more tools

 

[johnherman]

Having had experience with DB2, Informix, Oracle, Sybase, and SQL Server (as well as some lesser known databases), for a beginner, I would definitely recommend SQL Server. It is the most straightforward in terms of ease of installation and administration. And, as willir mentioned, it comes bundled with lots of valuable tools such as OLAP, Replication, DTS, and Reporting Services. Backup and Restore are relatively easy to implement, and its one of the least expensive solutions on the market.

-------------------------
Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side because there is more manure there !

 

[p27br]

there is a free version of sql server, called MSDE (desktop engine)
It has no GUI, so you'll need another tool to create the tables (Access ADP for example).

 

[AntiEarnie]

I would lean away from Oracle. I've been using it for a while and all I can say it's a very nice DB, IF you have the time to micromanage it. Also, it can get to be very expensive, very quick. Depending on what features you want it could run ~$30k per processor if your serving it on the web to license it...

 

[DeanConsulting]

MSDE is a free, scaled-down version of SQL Server and as pointed out earlier, it does not have a front end but there are some available. One is by valve software. There is also a new version called "SQL Server Express".

---------------------------------------
Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

 

[skiflyer]

I'd go with PostgreSQL if you have a Linux server. MySQL if you don't.

Both free for most applications (I won't pretend to understand the MySQL license, so you'll need to check their website), both incredibly powerful and fast... good drivers exist for both for most .

I'd put a properly administered PostgreSQL database up against the big boys any day of the week... however your drawback here will be lack of official support. Though I vaguely remember reading somewhere that someone is offering it now.

MySQL is nowhere near as full featured, though alot of things are "just around the corner" (and have been for a year or two now). But for 90% of users it covers the bases.

 

[terosoft]

You also have FirebirdSQL. It's an open source engine based in Borland Interbase and completely free for either personal and commercial use.
Like MSDE, it lacks of a GUI, but there are a lot excelent GUIs around, both paid and free.

Gerardo Czajkowski

 

[AlexandreAmant]

Reading the thread, one questions arises:

What front-end do you use ?

I am using MS Access as a front end, which I find very powerful and MySQL as a back-end as I agree with skiflyer.

Thanks,

@lex

 

[DeanConsulting]

Everyone here is talking about databases on a server and/or running a website.

How about this for debate: What is the best database to use for a single standalone application that will run only on one computer and not connect to the internet. I dare anyone to comment on this one.

Thanks,
Noble


---------------------------------------
Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

 

[flugh]

Specify the operating system?

If I'm running Windows, Access usually covers it for me. It can handle the backend data storage and rapid development of code and forms on the frontend.

Linux? PostgreSQL or MySQL for the backend. Either PHP+Apache doing pages to interface with it, or possibly php-gtk, or even straight gtk app for the frontend.

Any of the above can be done without being connected to the Internet or even a LAN.

----
JBR

 

[skiflyer]

Not enough information. What language are you coding in? What's the purpose of the database, what OS is on the single computer?

If I'm writing in PHP and am basically using the database as a replacement for flat files, I'll probably just go with SQLite... if it's a freebie application I wanna pass around or use for myself, there's a good chance I'd use MySQL because many people run it and it's dead easy to setup, if I want to sell it I'll probably go with PostgreSQL so I don't have to worry about licensing.

But all of that is with a boatload of assumptions.

 

[DeanConsulting]

That is my general thoughts as well. The operating system would be Microsoft Windows. I would like to steer clear of Access or SqlServer because of the large footprint. I would like to find something that has a smaller footprint, works without being on a server or turning the machine it is running on into a server, and quite possibly FREE.

I know I am looking for alot but I really don't care that much for the bloted software and tools that MS tries to force on us and Linux is not an option.

Thanks for all your input,
Noble


---------------------------------------
Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

 

[terosoft]

How about this for debate: What is the best database to use for a single standalone application that will run only on one computer and not connect to the internet. I dare anyone to comment on this one.

If you want a SQL server, I'll also go with Firebird on this one. It has an 'embedded server' version specially designed for this scenarios, it's free and doesn't have limitations like MSDE and you can use stored procedures unlike MySQL.
If SQL is not crucial and you don't have a prefered front-end language, Visual Foxpro is for you, although it isn't free.

Gerardo Czajkowski

 

[skiflyer]

There's no doubt SQLite has the best licensing setup ever... it also has probably the smallest footprint you could imagine.

It isn't full featured though, so don't expect a complete replacement for Oracle or some such (FirebirdSQL and PostgreSQL as mentioned above would be much better that)

http://www.sqlite.org/

And just cause I love it so much, here's the licensing for sqlite

** The author disclaims copyright to this source code. In place of
** a legal notice, here is a blessing:
**
** May you do good and not evil.
** May you find forgiveness for yourself and forgive others.
** May you share freely, never taking more than you give.
**

 

[r937]

the best database to use for a single standalone application that will run only on one computer and not connect to the internet"

microsoft access

hands down

no contest

rudy

http://r937.com/

SQL Consulting

 

[DeanConsulting]

I would tend to agree with you about Access but is it the best hands down if program size is a serious requirement?

Thanks
Noble


---------------------------------------
Noble D. Bell

http://www.noblesoftware.com

 

[skiflyer]

Can I ask why r937? I personally disagree very strongly so am curious about your reasoning.

Reasons against...
Frequent corruptions which can't be repared if you don't have office installed on the computer
Not portable to other OS's
Backing up to anything other than an access file is a bit of a pain
Somewhat large file size given the amount of data in a database
Requires office to make the initial database
No real way to optimize the engine if you're doing something fancy
No functions/procedures
If your program later scales, it doesn't
It's old... if I'm not mistaken, new versions of access use MSDE instead?

 

[r937]

skilflyer, yes you can ask why

however, i am not prepared to enter into a "mine is bigger than yours" argument

reasons why access is a fabulous standalone database:

- query builder

- import wizards

- "analyze as" excel sheet

- backup = copy/paste the mdb



rudy

http://r937.com/

SQL Consulting