Best Database for 1-3 User SQL or Access

[MattThomSA]

Hi There,

I really hope you can help me, i've looked through hundreds of posts on google and am yet to find the answer to my question.

I'm developing an application for a 3 user environment and am trying to decide whether to use an Access database (either using dao or ado) or if its better to use a SQL server database.

The reason im hesitant to use Access db is because the data would be really important and i'm worried about the risks of data corruption, but its also a lot quicker for a 3 user environment and i feel its easier to use.

There wont be that much data being handled simultaneously so i dont think SQL is entirely necessary but im not the expert on this so basically what im asking for is a comparison of the benefits vs the downfalls of using SQL and Using an Access database for a multi user environment.

In all honesty i'd prefer to just use an Access DB but if you tell me its better to use SQL for my application then i will.

Thanks

 

[henryminute]

My 2 cents.

Don't, whatever you do make any decisions based on anything I might say here!

Apart from the fact that the most recent version of Access that I have is '95, if it were me I would use SqlServer every time.

However, if you are absolutely certain, and I do mean absolutely, that there is no chance of the system needing to be scaled up at some time in the future and you are more comfortable with Access, then go for Access.

Just please, please, please ensure that a really rigorous backup routine is followed. That means testing Restore, as well as verifying the Backup.

As I said at the start just my 2 cents.

 

[jmcilhinney]

First up, this is a VB.NET forum so, assuming that your app is written in VB.NET, you'll be using ADO.NET regardless of the database. Because ADO.NET works in exactly the same way regardless of the database, your choice of database is pretty much irrelevant from the point of view of accessing the data from the app. It will be no more or less difficult whatever database you choose.

If you're at all concerned about data security and integrity then the choice between Access and SQL Server is a no-brainer. Only one of them is a proper RDBMS so there's only one choice to make.

 

[gate7cy]

What about when you are concerned on performance, reliability of the database application. Which one whould you see providing the best results? Will Access perform as good in vb as MySQL or MS SQL or even Oracle? nice thread by the way!!

 

[Hack]

If there is every a choice between Access and anything else, I'd choice the anything else.

In this case, SQL Server would be the way to go. I don't care if is a one person app.