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.NET Forum / .NET Framework / General / April 2005Free alternatives to SQL Server
Hi, There are a few free databases that can be used with .NET, like MySQL, PostgreSQL and Firebird (and others?). I would like to know which one you would prefer, and why. It would be a pre if the SQL syntax would resemble SQL Server's syntax because I'm already a bit familiar with that. The database should support stored procedures, triggers and transactions. I know MySQL supports stored procedures in 5.0 (beta). The database has to support Windows OS, but the ones I mentioned all do. Also I would like to know more about the quality of the available .NET data providers (free and commercial) for these databases. I guess these questions have been asked before, so in that case links to those discussions, FAQ's or websites are also welcome. Kind regards, George Hi George, There is also the MSDE which is a lightweight limited version of MS SQL Server 2000. http://www.microsoft.com/sql/msde/default.asp I haven't tried the others, but MSDE is very easy to use with Visual Studio's Server Explorer  SignatureHappy coding! Morten Wennevik [C# MVP] > There is also the MSDE which is a lightweight limited version of MS SQL > Server 2000. I know about MSDE, but I forgot to mention that the alternative database I'm looking for also has to support enough simultaneous users, and larger databases than 2GB. >> There is also the MSDE which is a lightweight limited version of MS SQL >> Server 2000. > > I know about MSDE, but I forgot to mention that the alternative database > I'm looking for also has to support enough simultaneous users, and > larger databases than 2GB. The coming SQL Server 2005 Express - which will fill the role now taken by MSDE 2000 - takes out the query governor and increases the max database size to 4GB. I'm really looking forward to it. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > George AFAIK MySQL is free for personal use, commercial use needs a paid license (albeit it cheaper than MS). SignatureRinze van Huizen C-Services Holland b.v. >AFAIK MySQL is free for personal use, commercial use needs a paid >license (albeit it cheaper than MS). Yes, it is - but MySQL is *NOT* a full-fledged database, really - it's lacking lots of essential features, such as stored procedures, triggers and more. Marc >>AFAIK MySQL is free for personal use, commercial use needs a paid >>license (albeit it cheaper than MS). [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Marc With MySQL 5 stored procs and triggers are available. How well they work I have no idea :) SignatureRinze van Huizen C-Services Holland b.v. >With MySQL 5 stored procs and triggers are available. How well they work >I have no idea :) Yeah, but MySQL 5 is at best in beta release - if not still alpha - not the type of system you want to put your production database onto.... Marc >>With MySQL 5 stored procs and triggers are available. How well they work >>I have no idea :) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Marc Ah ok. I just glanced over the website to see if the features were there or not. If it's still in that stage, then you are absolutely right. SignatureRinze van Huizen C-Services Holland b.v. > AFAIK MySQL is free for personal use, commercial use needs a paid > license (albeit it cheaper than MS). According to an interview by Infoworld of the MySQL CEO, companies are allowed to use MySQL for free if they like (although licenses are for sale at the MySQL shop). Only services have to be paid for. Or do I misunderstand the following conversation? ***************** InfoWorld: Do you think that corporations have gotten to the point now where instead of looking at open source as too much of a fly-by-night deal, they're now asking if they can get something free via open source? Mickos: Yes, they do, of course, and they come to us and say, "We love your product but we don't want to pay anything." InfoWorld: And what do you tell them? Mickos: We say, sure, but if you need any services, then you have to pay for them. ***************** Source: http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/04/26/HNmikcosinterview_1.html?source=rss&ur l=http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/04/26/HNmikcosinterview_1.html George Hi George, MSDE will be the best option if you require a free database and it meets all your requirements. MSDE supports stored procedures, triggers and transaction. It works great on windows and you don't need to worry about the quality of the data providers cus you will be using the same sql client dot Net data provider which you use for MS SQL server. MySQL 5.0 is sitll in beta and they have yet fully implemented stored procedures and triggers best, Subin GAPS Technologies. > Hi, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > George > Hi, > > There are a few free databases that can be used with .NET, like MySQL, > PostgreSQL and Firebird (and others?). I would like to know which one > you would prefer, and why. Ingres and MaxDB (formally called SAP DB) PS: don't even think of MySQL :) > It would be a pre if the SQL syntax would resemble SQL Server's syntax > because I'm already a bit familiar with that. The database should > support stored procedures, triggers and transactions. I know MySQL > supports stored procedures in 5.0 (beta). The database has to support > Windows OS, but the ones I mentioned all do. > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I guess these questions have been asked before, so in that case links to > those discussions, FAQ's or websites are also welcome. As I know none of these DBs have syntax similiar to Transact-SQL. PostgreSQL's seems to be PL/SQL-like, but Firebird's syntax is rather weird and its statement terminator is confusing (partially due to its almost-unusable CLI). All of PostgreSQL, Firebird, Ingres, and MaxDB support sp, triggers and transactions. PostgreSQL supports a lot of cool features such as inheritance and Python binding; Firebird has some very good GUIs (ex: IB Expert); dunno about Ingres and MaxDB... They both are Oracle-like terrible things. I had used Firebird's ADO.NET provider for several weeks, not bad. > PostgreSQL's seems to be PL/SQL-like, but Firebird's syntax is rather > weird and its statement terminator is confusing (partially due to its [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > I had used Firebird's ADO.NET provider for several weeks, not bad. So it looks like you would prefer PostgreSQL? > > PostgreSQL's seems to be PL/SQL-like, but Firebird's syntax is rather > > weird and its statement terminator is confusing (partially due to its [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > So it looks like you would prefer PostgreSQL? In fact I prefer Firebird, because it works fine even when the RAM is very small (256MB here, with lots of desktop apps running), and its installation is simple and transparent - just copy the files and (optionally) setup environment variables to change the location of lock files and security db. I also contributed the installation steps to run Firebird as non-privileged user. PS: I hate setup.exe and msi installer, but PostgreSQL for windows just uses it... Free MagazinesGet these publications absolutely FREE for up to 12 months. There are no hidden fees and no obligation. Simply choose a title, complete the application form and submit it. Read more ...
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