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personally I preffer Delphi + ADO + MSSQL combination. ADO is part of Windows OS so all you have to distribute is your app and database script which will create DB on server.<br />
<br />
ziolko.
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Umm...what server? &nbsp;This is for a home PC client?
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<i>Umm...what server?<br />
</i>database server :) <br />
<br />
like it or not but most of database systems require installing database engine so you can't just copy single file. exceptions are: access and dBase/Paradox, rest of them do need installing db engine<br />
<br />
ziolko.<br />
<i></i> 
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That is what I guessed... &nbsp;I will stay with Access if that is the case. &nbsp;However, there are a number of other products, like SQLite, that might be OK. &nbsp;I am looking for options against the requirements stated above, sorry.
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if it's for a light version of a database engine i also go for MSSQL Desktop Engine<br />
It's a one time install on the client<br />
Do you have multiple users for a single client -&gt; more than 1 pc connecting to the database ?<br />
If so you'll have to let them buy a server database like MSSQL 2005 or Oracle<br />
I use SDAC or ODAC components from <a href="http://www.devart.com/" rel="ugc">http://www.devart.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />

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MSSQL full version, MSSQL express edition or Oracle... you still have to install db engine. <br />
I know there's few other systems like sybase which don't require installing db enigne but still you have to deploy a lot more then just database data file.<br />
<br />
if it's small system for home PC for 1-3 users stay with access it has a lot of bad rap but for small solutions works ok, if you plan to &quot;go bigger&quot; you will not avoid installing db engine, i recommended MSSQL because I have only good experience with it, no need to install extra drivers, no need to use 3rd party components and for past 5 years no sinlge problem with database<br />
<br />
ziolko.<br />

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there is also Interbase, which used to come with Delphi ...<br />
<br />

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yeah but interbase/firebird also needs instalation<br />
<br />
ziolko.<br />

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Are newer versions of Access more SQL compliant?
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afaik Access2002 uses ANSI SQL-92 while earlier versions used ANSI SQL-89 but for more details you have to ask access gurus<br />
<br />
ziolko.<br />

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your clients are professional or hobby ?<br />
for professional you should consider moving them to a decent RDBMS, with a good backup system<br />
Access is not a real RDBMS. you will never get to full potential with Access<br />
Here we have years of work converting Access applications made by business users to Oracle<br />
They even complain now and then they lack freedom, but they don't complain when they have access to all data from nearly everywhere in the world. &nbsp;With Access this is not possible.<br />
You used to be Oracle Administrator ?<br />
Why not port them to Oracle (10g had a learning series to install for free ...)<br />
<br />

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This is a small, client side (only) database. &nbsp;Please restrict all comments to non-server applications.
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Probably the best solution will be MS Access (you can find it on almost every PC) or you can use text files
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<i>you can find it on almost every PC<br />
</i>even if access is not installed you can download drivers from link I gave above, access drivers (earlier than access2002) are also included in MDAC components<br />
<br />
ziolko.<br />
<i></i>
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 &nbsp;I am checking into the database that came with my copy of Delphi 2007 Blackfish SQL. &nbsp;It is a full SQL database without Access's many quirks (I have seen on the MS web site this quote, &quot;Access should not be used for any business purpose&quot;). &nbsp;Access can be used for a single user, but in my opinion should never be used for multi user. &nbsp;While there is an install it is a copy of 3 files (I think) and executing one of them.<br />
<br />
&nbsp; If security is a concern... &nbsp;I also have major issues with MS SQL in that it is impossible to secure it. &nbsp;The base file is completely clear text (you can do a hex dump and read the data). &nbsp;The Blackfish SQL file is encrypted (using Blowfish I think) supposedly never been broken. &nbsp;SQL Server cannot shut off windows authentication meaning if a user has access to any computer that can attempt to access your database and the user can log in as administrator then they can download SQL Server Management Studio Express and login using windows authentication (bypassing normal login). &nbsp;Even if you have Windows (weak) or some third party software encrypt the file it cannot be secured. &nbsp;There are many good arguments that there is no such thing as security in computers and they are largely correct, but they could try a little... at least make it difficult for an average user to get in. &nbsp;For my own purposes we need to have a mobile copy of the database on a laptop. &nbsp;If the laptop is stolen, there goes your corporate data.<br />
<br />
&nbsp; Of course there are many choices for databases and your choice is yours to make. &nbsp;I would strongly recommend that you get a real database though, no access no dbase, no paradox. &nbsp;
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<i>&quot;I have been using Access (2000) as a back end for my apps for some years now. It is not really SQL compliant and just is getting awkward to continue to use.<br />
<br />
What would be the easiest database to use with Delphi that is fully SQL compliant and can be distributed with a Delphi app?&quot;</i><br />
It is worth clarifying in case you don't already know, that that each database comes with its own &quot;implementation&quot; of SQL, and this means that each database will always have some SQL features that it won't implement, and some databases suchas Oracle have fancy tricks that aren't part of the SQL standard.<br />
While ACCESS may have certain SQL functions that it doesn't support, in my opinion it isn't that far off the mark - and part of your question goes to easy installation or single-file deployments. If you compare your options you'll see Interbase or Firebird which is single-file, PARADOX which is very easy but not single-file, and of course MSACCESS. Out of these, for a single-user to use, MSACCESS fairs very well, it is probably second to Interbase in SQL compliance, it is probably easiest to deploy, and its implementation of SQL isn't that bad.<br />
&nbsp;<br />

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There is not such a thing as a database server component with sql capabilities? Then the end user would not see its a server.
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<i>It is not really SQL compliant and just is getting awkward to continue to use.</i><br />
<br />
What is actually getting to be the problem ? the size of the data or something else ?<br />

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The problem comes from schema changes over time and having to be able to upgrade from one version to the next. &nbsp;SQL just makes it so much easier...
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well i gues you are the one who will have to decide bases on the pros and contras <br />
I did this once, and out of 25 clients working with DBase IV and seeing the list, <br />
they decided it would be well worth it to change to MSSQL 2000<br />
they were even willing to pay and pay a network administrator to do the job.<br />
Even installing updates.<br />
It's allways up to the salesman for how the clients are tailored and brainwashed to know what is best :)<br />
<br />

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Given the challenge of the question posed, the answers and discussion were just what I was after. &nbsp;Thankyou all.
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I also need an &quot;included&quot; sql database. My customers will only get data perhaps one time and i cant demand that they install a server for that. Now im using TVirtualTable from devart (former corelabs) witch is part of Mydac (MySQL connection kit). Works fine but i have to manage double code because the more advanced user have MySQL but not all...
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<div class="content wysiwyg-content">
I have been using Access (2000) as a back end for my apps for some years now. &nbsp;It is not really SQL compliant and just is getting awkward to continue to use.<br />
<br />
What would be the easiest database to use with Delphi that is fully SQL compliant and can be distributed with a Delphi app? &nbsp;Oh, and one last thing...I like to only distribute a *.EXE and *.mdb. &nbsp;Makes support so much easier and means I cannot get into trouble on an end users PC. &nbsp;While it might not be an *.mdb, it has to conform to the same design philosophy.<br />
<br />
Thanks,<br />
Chris
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I have been using Access (2000) as a back end for my apps for some years now.  It is not really SQL compliant and just is getting awkward to continue to use.

What would be the easiest database to use with Delphi that is fully SQL compliant and can be distributed with a Delphi app?  Oh, and one last thing...I like to only distribute a *.EXE and *.mdb.  Makes support so much easier and means I cannot get into trouble on an end users PC.  While it might not be an *.mdb, it has to conform to the same design philosophy.

Thanks,
Chris

Delphi and Databases - which one to use?

Development in most programming languages is frequently done with an editor or integrated development environment (IDE). An IDE is a software application that provide comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger. XCode, Visual Studio, Adobe Dreamweaver and Eclipse are some of the more popular development tools, but an editor or IDE can be anything from simple text editors to sophisticated programs. Related topics: All programming and development language, database and web based content management systems topics

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