WinForms and mini-database

Hi all,

I want to build a small stand-alone VB.NET WinForm application to be sold to the general public.  Let's say it will be something like Quicken bookkeeping, in that it will have user input forms, etc, and will save check entries to a mini-database.

My question:  What do I use for the mini-database MSDE

I'm comfortable in building client-server apps where my data is in SQL Server 2000 right here on my server.  Now, however, I'm scratching my head when it comes to a small stand-alone app.

Any ideas will be appreciated.

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WinForms and mini-database

Tyler Durden
If you're not planning multi-user or network access, Jet (using MDB files) is a simple solution. When you use MSDE, you get the full power of SQL Server, which may be overkill in your situation. OTOH, it is more secure, doesn't ever crash, blah blah blah.
jlento
well, MSDE is obviosly a much better choice, even your app is never going to be distributed. the news said that MS will no longer upgrade their Jet engine. developing an app is not much of a problem based on your background. but it's entirely different beast when it come to deployment( pakage it to installer). the other worth looking alternative is mysql. as for MSDE or mysql , they wont be mini-databse, MSDE could support up to 2 GB, .mdf and mysql could go up to 4GB. so it kind of good to, when there's need arise for your app to be scale out.

regards
erymuzuan mustapa
WilliamW
perhaps you don't need database at all, may be XML will do for a simple database. and what's more xml works well with .Net CF.

for pocket pc , take a look at the SQl server CE. there's even a sample app on MSDN, mini northwind.

as for mysql is concern, i don't know wether it will run on pocket pc or not, but there's a possibilty cos they have embedded mysql, which could be embedded within your application.

personally, i would go for MSDE/ SQL server CE because it leverages your know how and there's native provider for both of them.
anup6161
Thanks, Ken and Erik. I guess one advantage of XML is that it would be totally free of any licensing issues, whereas perhaps that isn't true about SQL CE

It's a small .NET world, Erik! :) Hope things are going well.
CSharpZealot
Thanks, Ken and Erymuzuan.

So, further considering this small WinForm application, to be priced inexpensively, that simply stores a list of checks written, or perhaps a small address book of friends...

What if I wanted to sell this small inexpensive program for use in handheld or pocket computers Are Jet, MSDE and MySQL still my best bet for storing the data

Anybody know what the licensing implications would be

(BTW, Ken, if you're the same Ken Getz who wrote Access Developer's Handbook, then my hat is off to you, because that book has been tremendously useful over the years.)
Staffan cronstrom LKP
If you're working on a PocketPC, Jet ain't gonna work. SQLCE is an alternative, although I have to agree with other posts -- XML may be a reasonable for a small amount of data. You don't get indexes in XML, so high-speed searches over large amounts of data could be faster with a real database. If you're doing flat files or simple stuff, XML is perfect.

And yes, I'm the same guy. Thanks.
Otis Mukinfus
Thanks, Brian, for the good idea.

Erymuzuan, I looked up the article as you suggested. Very helpful. Also, XML hadn't occurred to me. That gives me another option. Thanks.
JoCook
Hey Tim, good to see you here! :)

Just also wanted to say that XML sounds like the way to go in your case. You'll be able to do XPath Queries really easily and they'll be really fast in your case...good luck!
PankajGautam
As far as handhelds, you can use SQL CE, which will synchronize with MSSQL.
WinForms and mini-database

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