Question

Need a very light embeded database for Delphi

Asked by: fischermx


I'm working on small project that will require to fetch and save a fair amount of data.
The app is written in Delphi.
I need a database to store this and if possible, this database should allow me to run SQL statements.
The application should "install" in a single copy operation preferable, so, I need a database that doesn't require me a separate long installation process.

So, my only requirement I that is a light weight as possible, if anything external that I have to install, so, discard SQL Express, Interbase, Firebird, etc.

Preferable it should be in just a dll or two, or even better if it has Delphi sources so I can compile in my application.

What would you recommend?

P.S. What do you think of SQL Server compact edition for this task? how "compact" it is ?




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Asked On
2009-10-20 at 15:46:55ID24828856
Topics

Databases Miscellaneous

,

Delphi Database

Participating Experts
5
Points
500
Comments
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Answers

 

by: senadPosted on 2009-10-20 at 16:19:28ID: 25619596

The best embeded database IMHO is the Absolute Database.
http://www.componentace.com/bde_replacement_database_delphi_absolute_database.htm

 

by: senadPosted on 2009-10-20 at 16:20:40ID: 25619604

Absolute database has also the capability to embed your database into your exe ...

 

by: FactorBPosted on 2009-10-20 at 23:06:04ID: 25621102

Yes Absolute DB is quite reliable.
But the only disadvantage is that is not free.

You can also look at
sqlite (http://www.sqlite.org/) - need to deploy single dll, also has very fast in memory tables
embedded firebird (http://www.firebirdsql.org/) - also a dll and later you can switch to full firebird database

Regards,
B.

 

by: epasquierPosted on 2009-10-21 at 00:19:47ID: 25621345

Even if I'm not a fan, we have to talk about MSAccess. It is light, and does not require any installation nor specific dll, as ADO is available in all Windows versions since a while. It does not require much work in delphi to have a simple MS DB running

 

by: FactorBPosted on 2009-10-21 at 01:03:12ID: 25621559

MSAccess + ADO had one interesting feature. You can change the file extension from "Database.mdb" to "Database.abc" or "Database.xyz" and as long the connection string points to the right file it will work, regardless of extension. This way you can prevent some tampering.

 

by: gskoczylasPosted on 2009-10-21 at 02:51:35ID: 25622228

Look at "Why Firebird is cool?"
The Firebird is my choice.



 

by: twinsoftPosted on 2009-10-21 at 05:50:02ID: 25623367

Why do you reject Firebird ? Firebird can be run in embedded mode and the only thing that you need is a dll in the same directory with your App. Just rename fbembed.dll to what your comps require (gds32.dll or fbclient.dll) and run your App.

 

by: senadPosted on 2009-10-21 at 06:11:25ID: 25623519

abs database is free for personal use.

 

by: fischermxPosted on 2009-10-21 at 08:28:59ID: 25624951

I didn't know firebird had an embeded option. I'll take a look.

Also, Ms Access, I don't know why I forgot about.

I was thinking about using DBISAM or Apollo, but wasn't sure what to chose.

SQLLite, well, yes, but how do I access to it from Delphi? Ado? ODBC?



 

by: epasquierPosted on 2009-10-21 at 08:33:22ID: 25625006

>> Also, Ms Access, I don't know why I forgot about.

I can think of a couple not concious reasons :o)
Still, it IS easy to implement, and will work in every windows OS as-is

 

by: FactorBPosted on 2009-10-21 at 08:45:54ID: 25625148

 

by: twinsoftPosted on 2009-10-21 at 08:49:44ID: 25625188

Depends on your project, to use Access or other Flat file DB solutions. I' ve used DBISam and i was very pleased with its performance and stability. It has a very good feature that enables you to reconstruct the DB from Delphi code, but i left it for Firebird because i needed logic in my DB (triggers, stored procedures etc). I like logic in DB because i can change ,some things, without changing my app, but as i said it depends on your project. ASFIK i would use Firebird even if i wanted to write a simple phone book. Customer needs change every minute and you need to be prepared ahead...

 

by: senadPosted on 2009-10-21 at 22:05:11ID: 25630939

>and will work in every windows OS as-is

Not true

 

by: senadPosted on 2009-10-21 at 22:12:17ID: 25630964

Absolute database tops them all...You can really work with enormous amount of data flawlessly.
I prefer it over Microsoft SQL server...

 

by: fischermxPosted on 2009-10-26 at 13:01:48ID: 31643685

Thank you very much for your advise.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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