Re: Please recommend me a DB!

sundial_at_primenet.com (Sundial Services) wrote:

>In article <4mjt73$qa3_at_news3.digex.net> walden_at_universe.digex.net (Bayard) writes:
 

>>Is there a document available that compares and contrasts the different
>>packages available? I have to recommend a database for my work within a
>>week. The project at hand requires a linking, relational database to run
>>under os/2 or windows nt, preferably accessable by a large number of users
>>on a LAN. I'm not sure of the volume of the data involved. Easy of use
>>is a big plus. An accompanying programming language that works well is
>>also a plus. Are the programs like paradox, foxpro, and dbase for windows
>>pretty much all the same? when does a more powerful system like oracle or
>>sybase become necessary?
 

>>Please email me any thoughts, it is greatly appreciated.
 

>My thought is that you first need to collect your thoughts, and get some
>specific information. In other words, completely specify the system before
>you commit to how you are going to build what you have specified.

I work for a company that implement sales and marketing tools based on relationnal databases.
My experience is :

For small systems, up to 50 users, small database with no previsible evolution in term of users number and processing requirements a relationnal database like Informix Online, Centura SQLBase (previously Gupta) are the best choices (inexpensive, easy to install and suport).

For larger systems, up to 150 users, large database and a few evolution in term of processing power SQLServer is a good choice. Scalability of the NT platform provide a way to increase the general performance of the system.

And finally for largest systems Oracle is the only way. Yes it's expensive, yes it's a difficult to manage and install system but it's a powerfull and scalable system.

For the development tools we use Guipta SQLWindows (now Centura). It's a 4GL language. It's a full featured language with all Objects and Windows extension that you can dream. And if it's not enough you can use external library (DLL, VBX ...), you can create and interface your own llibrary. I wouldn't say "it's the besr language" but it's a good one. The access to relationnal databases is embeded (even trough ODBC). There is a special version for SQLServer if you want, but you can access Oracle, DB2, Informix, Sybase, Gupta, and so on. Be carefull this is not a simple language. Call Gupta and check if you can't have a SQLWindows Solo free trial edition. This is a demo compîler limited in data management (2 Mb) but full featured.

If you want a good integration and a single provider choose Microsoft. Visual Basic is a very good developpment tools and is *perfectly* integrated with the back and Front office tools. Received on Sat May 18 1996 - 00:00:00 CEST