Which data format to use in C#

LiquidE_SA

Good day. I'm writing my first program for a company. The program will interact with Microsoft Word & Excell. It will do basic stuff such as Mail merges and inserting text at bookmarks. A basic accounting system will be needed. Nothing fancy. A register with customer information and contact details aswell as employee information will also be needed. Now: Which method should I use to store the data? Obviously I can use Access to do the database handling, but would it be recommended? If not, why not? and which other methods can I use to do my data handling? If you recommend I use Access, will it be secure and are there any methods I can use to try keep someone from finding out the database structure and messing with the data inside the file itself? I know it's alot of questions, but your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks alot ASBESTOS-Greetings LiquidE

Colin Angus Mackay

LiquidE_SA wrote:

Which method should I use to store the data?

Depends on the data. By the sound of it you need a database.

LiquidE_SA wrote:

Obviously I can use Access to do the database handling, but would it be recommended?

Probably not.

LiquidE_SA wrote:

If not, why not?

Because it is not an enterprise database system and it doesn't scale. The purpose of a company is to make a profit. To continue making profits the company will grow. In order to grow it needs systems that will grow with it.

LiquidE_SA wrote:

and which other methods can I use to do my data handling?

SQL Server.

LiquidE_SA wrote:

Access, will it be secure and are there any methods I can use to try keep someone from finding out the database structure and messing with the data inside the file itself?

It isn't as secure as SQL Server that much is certain. I have a question for you: How big is the company? Regardless of size I'd recommend SQL Server unless they have a exceptionally compelling reason to use Access. So, why would you want to use Access?

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LiquidE_SA

Sorry. I think I didn't explain properly. The product I'm developing is a product that will be sold to alot of different people. It will aid them in doing some basic stuff. Therefore I need a method/way of handling the database, wihtout installing extra servers/software. The thing as I understand it with SQL Server I'll need to install it on every machine that will run the application. That will cost alot of money, won't it? Isn't there methods of doing datafile handling and data integrity chechs from within C#? I need something that I can bundle with the application. Thanks alot ASBESTOS-greetings LiquidE

Colin Angus Mackay

LiquidE_SA wrote:

The product I'm developing is a product that will be sold to alot of different people. It will aid them in doing some basic stuff. Therefore I need a method/way of handling the database, wihtout installing extra servers/software.

How much data?

LiquidE_SA wrote:

The thing as I understand it with SQL Server I'll need to install it on every machine

Well, no. As the name suggests it is a "server" product. So, it is installed once on a server (in large organisations they may have many SQL Servers to spread the load)

LiquidE_SA wrote:

That will cost alot of money, won't it?

SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is free - but it has some restrictions (but not as limited as Access)

LiquidE_SA wrote:

I need something that I can bundle with the application.

SQLLite or VistaDB may be choices - but you still need to answer the question "How much data?" Some companies make products that are specifically designed to sit on top of SQL Server. Perhaps you can do that. If you are marketing to small businesses they may already have Microsoft Small Business Server which has SQL Server built in. When that company grows they can migrate to a full SQL Server easily. So far, I don't think you've provided enough information to say which database is a good choice. How does the application interact between users? Is it even multiuser?

LiquidE_SA wrote:

Isn't there methods of doing datafile handling and data integrity chechs from within C#?

You can do that in C# if you want - but do you really want to be reinventing the wheel?

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LiquidE_SA

No thanks. No reinventing the wheel here. No, the application is not even multiuser. It's a small application that will help others start their own company. It won't need to store alot of data. Maybe 20/30MB of data, if it's that much! Are SQLLite and VistaDB also running on a server or can it be accessed by file such as Access?

ASBESTOS-Greetings LiquidE

Colin Angus Mackay

LiquidE_SA wrote:

Are SQLLite and VistaDB also running on a server or can it be accessed by file such as Access?

I think your choice is now between SQLite[^] and VistaDB[^]. Both are file based databases. Both are effectively zero configuration for the end user. You just drop one (or two) additional DLL files in to your installation and you are good to go. SQLite: * You'll also need a .NET Wrapper for SQLite (but that's explained on the website and is very easy to set up). * Because SQLite is supported in so many environments the documentation can take a little getting used to. * It is free VistaDB * Pure .NET solution * Costs money for a development license. * Also has a server based solution if you eventually decide you need to scale up.

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LiquidE_SA

Thank you VERY much. You've been of great help. Enjoy the rest of your day.

ASBESTOS-Greetings LiquidE

Colin Angus Mackay

Your welcome.

*** Developer Day 4 in Reading, England on 2nd December 2006 - Registration Now Open *** Upcoming Scottish Developers events: * Developer Day Scotland: are you interested in speaking or attending? My: Website | Blog | Photos

Scott Dorman

There is also SQL Server 2005 Everywhere Edition[^](also called SQL Mobile) which is also a file based database that allows you to scale up to (and integrate with) SQL Server 2005 when necessary.

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lost in transition

You can add a version of MSDE with the installion of your app. MSDE is a free but limited download from MS. Research it alittle sounds like a good solution for you. But MSDE and SQL 2000 will not be supported by Vista or Longhorn.