What is the best choice of database for multiple user access on an FTP site?
I want to develop a simple company database to keep track of contacts, communications, bugs, etc., that is accessible by all of our employees. I will write a "front-end" in VB.NET 2010 to link to this database, and I will install it on everyone's system (there are only a few of us), but I need to have the database accessible to everyone, and it is likely that there will be times where more than one of us will be connected to it at the same time. We have an FTP site so, ideally, I would like to upload the database there, unless there is a good reason not to.
So my questions are:
1. What database should I use? I currently work with MS Access, so I would be very happy if that could work. I also prefer using Access since then I don't have to worry about installing a server on the client's system. However, the little research I have done suggests that Access on an FTP won't work well. Is that true, or is there a way I can use Access in this case? Or, if not, what database would you recommend?
2. With whatever database is recommended, how do I make a connection to it on an FTP server?
Thank you very much,
Vijay
So my questions are:
1. What database should I use? I currently work with MS Access, so I would be very happy if that could work. I also prefer using Access since then I don't have to worry about installing a server on the client's system. However, the little research I have done suggests that Access on an FTP won't work well. Is that true, or is there a way I can use Access in this case? Or, if not, what database would you recommend?
2. With whatever database is recommended, how do I make a connection to it on an FTP server?
Thank you very much,
Vijay
ASKER
Thank you. So is using MS Access not feasible?
Depend on your Database Size and traffic.
if your data is not large then Ms acess is also feasible.
if your data is not large then Ms acess is also feasible.
No, Access wont' work thru FTP and in general, no other database will either. MS SQL and MySQL can both be accessed remotely thru the network on their own ports if they are setup properly. They are also designed for multiuser access.
ASKER
What about using SQLite?
SQLite is a fine program but it is not a "client/server" multiuser program. It has limited multiuser capability. http://www.sqlite.org/faq.html
FTP and mapped drives are not optimal for multiuser database access. "client/server" programs like MS SQL and MySQL have the methods built-in to handle multiple user requests without problems. FTP and mapped drives depend on file locking to share flat file databases when one of the users tries to write to the database.
FTP and mapped drives are not optimal for multiuser database access. "client/server" programs like MS SQL and MySQL have the methods built-in to handle multiple user requests without problems. FTP and mapped drives depend on file locking to share flat file databases when one of the users tries to write to the database.
ASKER
I see. So it looks like FTP won't be appropriate. Where would be the best place to host this database, so that it is easily accessible from multiple locations? Also, I got the impression that while SQLite is not ideal for high concurrency, that it was all right for relatively small numbers of users accessing the database at a time. There are only 4 of us that could possibly be accessing this DB at once. Is that still too much for SQLite? I've never implemented a "client/sever" system, so I'd like to avoid having to do so, if I can. But if you think I have no choice, what in your opinion is my best option, to work with a simple VB.NET program?
Consider this web site. When you view this question, code on the web server pulls your original question and all of the comments out of a database and then puts them together to build a web page that is available all over the world.
A file-based database like Access or SQLite would work fine as a back-end database for a website with 4 users.
A file-based database like Access or SQLite would work fine as a back-end database for a website with 4 users.
ASKER
Great! So can you suggest any resources that can walk me through connecting a .NET program on a local machine to such a database that is hosted on an FTP site, or some other location? Thanks.
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ASKER
Unfortunately, everyone is in a different location. I'm sorry for being so clueless, but how would I find a web-site with a front-end for Access or SQLite? I currently have a MoibileMe account. Could I set up a place to host my database there? Thanks, again.
I dont' know about MobileMe. Are you and the others Mac users?
You would have to write a web page as a front end for Access or SQLite. Which would also probably require a login page also to keep others out.
You would have to write a web page as a front end for Access or SQLite. Which would also probably require a login page also to keep others out.
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ASKER
Thanks for your advice! I appreciate it!
check below various tutorial website.
http://www.dotnetspider.com/tutorials/