I have a production applicaton today ran by 120 businesses across the nation. Today our application is a VB6 front end with an Access 2000 backend.
The problem.
Access 2000 is suffering from corruption every once in a while. our users are running 1-8 computer systems at a time on the access database.
We want to move to something that will allow our users to run 10 computers simultaneously if needed.
Question..
What do we do for a database since our app is still in VB6. SQL Express 2005 can only be networked from .net and cannot be networked from VB6.
Should we use MSDE even though sql express is available
I feel like i have no Database platform to choose.
I have even started looking at microsoft alternatives like mysql and vistaDB.
VistaDB didn't hold up and I am not familiar with Mysql.
Comments appreciated.
The Poor VB6 guy - database help
Michael Cain
As of right now we are looking at the new mySQL 5.0 for many reasons.
1 - you can deploy it with a small 16 megabyte footprint (awesome)
(much smaller than MSDE or sql express)
2- It supports practically the same sql-92 syntax as sql server now and even has stored procedures and triggers in the new version
(awesome)
3-we can install it silently
(fantastic)
4-we can run a simple utility to ugrade our clients from access 2000 to mysql so that clients can upgrade easily.
(wow)
5-you can purchase a very affordable DB admin tool called Navicat which is like enterprise manager with a little friendlier UI
6-Mysql 5.0 can be optimized for 20 simultaneous connections
(wow..that is far better than MSDE)
I can't believe I am saying this ...(never thought I would see this day) but in my mind (for legacy clients like VB6 and C++) I don't see any reason why you would deploy a microsoft DB such as msde or sql express over the new mysql 5.
I mean what is the downside of mysql 5 over any of these for a vb6 or C++ client...if there is one I dont' see it.
Just one Small ISV opinion.
we deploy to clients across the u.S. (30 day evaluation versions)
our users have to be able to:
1) download easily (that means small file size and silent install)
2) install easily (little help from us in regards to setup/network config)
3) safely run 1, 10 or 20 computer systems
Mysql is offering us all of this now for free.
Maybe I am missing something..I don't know..sure looks good.
wpeters1
I see no reason not to use MSDE, I still use it in an old C# app, until VERY recently, it was the free offering from Microsoft ( barring that you need to buy SQL Server 2000 Developer Edition to have the right to distribute it ). I certainly would not use mySQL ( it's not free for commercial use ), or VistaDB ( only because my experience with their customer service was bad ).
Mike Hudgell
Thank you for the comment.
1) I am going to be limited to what 6-8 simultaneous systems with that guy due to the throttling
2)Do you have a rough idea on deployment size for that guy. We are distributing via the web
Greasytires
Both MSDE and SQL Express are throttled for number of users.
The installer is 64.3 MB. Of course, that installs an empty database, you probaby want an app to run SQL scripts to set your DB up as well.
MarciaAkins
While it is true that MSDE 2000 starts to throttle when there are more than 8 simultaneous active connections, it will still give you better performance and stability for 10 users throttled than Access will. i believe that MSDE install file is a little over 35 Meg, haven't done one in a while though so I may be remembering wrong. you can still check it out at http://msdn.microsoft.com/SQL/2000/MSDE/default.aspxhttp://msdn.microsoft.com/SQL/2000/MSDE/default.aspx
If the workload governor is a concern, you might want to check out PostgreSQL as a good truely free alternative instead of MySQL. If size is also a concern, I'd recommend Firebird, with a server install package size of only 2.7 Meg.
iansmith
We have a VB6 application using SQL Server 2005 Express via ADO.
I'd advise upsizing yor Access db to Express. Eight users is no problem.