VistaDB Database

[Johnny Jörgensen]

Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at the
same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it complicates
the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file you copy, but
with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in the installation
if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely complicated but still a
little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it and
has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Freddy Potargent]

Hi Johnny,

Check out System.Data.SQLite, it's also a lightweight database but fast
and very stable. You simply deploy the dll with your application so
there's no setup. All data is put in a single file. I use it for
instance to log a lot of production (debug) data including images,
calculation results, traces, ... Afterwards it's simply copying the
(easily 1-1.5G) file from the machine to the devstation to analyse.

http://sqlite.phxsoftware.com/

The ADO.NET above uses the SQLite library which you can find at the
following location.

http://www.sqlite.org/

There you can also find extra information regarding the SQL that is
implemented (pretty complete :-)).

Don't know how it behaves on Vista.

HTH,

-- Freddy

Johnny Jörgensen wrote:

Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at the
same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it complicates
the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file you copy, but
with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in the installation
if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely complicated but still a
little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it and
has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Johnny Jörgensen]

That looks interesting too, but what I liked about VistaDB is that it is
embeddeable (is that an actual word? :-) )

I wonder about the performance, though... Hence my post. But I will take a
look at SQLite too.

Cheers,
Johnny J.

"Freddy Potargent" <fr**************@amcnv.bewrote in message
news:Ay**********************@phobos.telenet-ops.be...

Hi Johnny,

Check out System.Data.SQLite, it's also a lightweight database but fast
and very stable. You simply deploy the dll with your application so
there's no setup. All data is put in a single file. I use it for instance
to log a lot of production (debug) data including images, calculation
results, traces, ... Afterwards it's simply copying the (easily 1-1.5G)
file from the machine to the devstation to analyse.

http://sqlite.phxsoftware.com/

The ADO.NET above uses the SQLite library which you can find at the
following location.

http://www.sqlite.org/

There you can also find extra information regarding the SQL that is
implemented (pretty complete :-)).

Don't know how it behaves on Vista.

HTH,

-- Freddy

Johnny Jörgensen wrote:

>Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the
exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at
the same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it
complicates the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file
you copy, but with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in
the installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Mr. Arnold]

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

There is MS SQL Server 2005 Express Edition which is free to download and
distribute.

>
Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at the
same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it complicates
the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file you copy, but
with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in the
installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

With ADO.NET and the MS DB provider like SQL Client, you can deploy a SQL
Express MDF file, just like you can with an MDB file. All you have to do is
provide the connection string. I have found SQL Server 2005 Express pretty
easy to use in an ASP.NET solution and easy to connect with .NET Server
Explorer where you just drag the database to App_Data in the Solution
Explorer. I would assume it would be the same for a .NET NT Service, Console
Application and Windows desktop solution as well.

SQL Server Express doesn't seem like you have to deploy the Admin part of
the solution to a Client machine, but I have not gotten to that part, yet.
Yes, you would have to Attach the file using SQL Exress 2005 Manager to
administer the database with its Manager solution, just like you would with
SQL Server Manger if it's the Standard Edition of SQL Server 2005 or
previous versions were being used.

>
So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

This VistaDB seems interesting. It's something to keep in mind. Maybe, there
will be some kind of (free) Express Edition.

[Freddy Potargent]

Johnny Jörgensen wrote:

That looks interesting too, but what I liked about VistaDB is that it is
embeddeable (is that an actual word? :-) )

I'm no native English or American speaker so I couldn't tell but I get
the meaning. :-)

Looked at VistaDB and it seems an interesting package. They also need to
distribute an assembly with your app (about 700k compared to 385k for
SQLite) *but* you can embed that assembly using the Microsoft ILMerge tool.

Tried to embed SQLite with ILMerge but that doesn't work (probably
because there's unmanaged code in there). Bummer. :-/

I wonder about the performance, though... Hence my post. But I will take a
look at SQLite too.

Embedding or not shouldn't make a difference performance-wise so it's
just the db-engines compared to each other. I would also be interested
in comparing the two, I'll let you know when/if I get around to it.

[Mark Rae]

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

I now use this exclusively for WinForms apps where previously I would have
used a Jet database:
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/edition...t/default.mspx

A 64-bit version is in the pipeline...
--
http://www.markrae.net

[José Joye]

You could also look at the SQL Server Compact Edition 3.1.
It runs on both Windows CE and normal Windows. It has a small footprint and
is free.
The dB you create is in fact a file. In that sense, it is ideal for small
application. For more info, look at:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/bb204609.aspx
- José

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sea écrit dans le message de news:
us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at the
same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it complicates
the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file you copy, but
with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in the
installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Johnny Jörgensen]

Thanks everybody who have taken the time to give their input on this matter.
I wasn't really looking for other solutions, though. Most of the other
solutions (except one), I already knew about.

What I really wanted was some information on the VistaDB solution so that I
could make an educated comparison to the other possibilities and make a
decision about what the best solution for my project is.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any information about VistaDB. I don't know if
it's safe to assume that nobody has tested it... Maybe I should be the first
then?

Thanks again for taking the time...
Johnny J.


"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at the
same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it complicates
the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file you copy, but
with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in the
installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Mark Rae]

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:%2****************@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Maybe I should be the first then?

I'll be the first to acknowledge that I'm a big fan of 3rd-party add-ons for
the .NET Framework - the one that I use most often is:
http://www.siberix.com/

However, I can't see any value in paying for a 3rd-party product:
https://secure.vistadb.net/shop/etis...&vref=purchase

when Microsoft already produce a (more or less) equivalent one free of
charge...

I guess it depends how important it is to you to be able to embed your
database file in your app - it's of no importance to me...

Horses for courses... :-)
--
http://www.markrae.net

[Brian Simmons]

Hi Johnny,

I've been using VistaDB (version 3) since it was in alpha (about 7 months
prior to it's GA release).

I like it quite a bit. Easy to deploy, identical datatypes to SQL2005,
stored procedures, etc... Plus it's not terribly expensive.

It's good stuff, and I would highly recommend it. Their support is
excellent and their forums are very helpful.

I think if you have any specific pre-sale questions, you should ask in their
forums.

hth,
Brian

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at the
same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it complicates
the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file you copy, but
with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in the
installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Johnny Jörgensen]

Have you got any idea of how the performance is compared to e.g. Access and
SQL Server?

Cheers,
Johnny J.


"Brian Simmons" <ce******@newsgroup.nospamwrote in message
news:%2****************@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

Hi Johnny,

I've been using VistaDB (version 3) since it was in alpha (about 7 months
prior to it's GA release).

I like it quite a bit. Easy to deploy, identical datatypes to SQL2005,
stored procedures, etc... Plus it's not terribly expensive.

It's good stuff, and I would highly recommend it. Their support is
excellent and their forums are very helpful.

I think if you have any specific pre-sale questions, you should ask in
their forums.

hth,
Brian

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the
exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at
the same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it
complicates the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file
you copy, but with SQL server you have to install the engine and check in
the installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Brian Simmons]

I think the performance is great. I haven't run into any issues.
I don't have any exact numbers, however, I think I remember there being some
comparisons on the vistadb.net website (perhaps in their faq section).

I believe they offer a 30-day trial. You should just check it out, fool
around with it for an hour or two and see if it's what you're looking for.

Best of luck,
Brian

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:en**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Have you got any idea of how the performance is compared to e.g. Access
and SQL Server?

Cheers,
Johnny J.


"Brian Simmons" <ce******@newsgroup.nospamwrote in message
news:%2****************@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

>Hi Johnny,

I've been using VistaDB (version 3) since it was in alpha (about 7 months
prior to it's GA release).

I like it quite a bit. Easy to deploy, identical datatypes to SQL2005,
stored procedures, etc... Plus it's not terribly expensive.

It's good stuff, and I would highly recommend it. Their support is
excellent and their forums are very helpful.

I think if you have any specific pre-sale questions, you should ask in
their forums.

hth,
Brian

"Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.sewrote in message
news:us**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>Hi all

I just saw an ad in the latest ComponentSource newsletter for a database
engine called VistaDB 3.0.

http://www.vistadb.net/default.asp

It looks very interesting as a database engine for smaller applications
where you would normally use access. Plus it can be embedded into the
exe.

I've just started doing a small database application, and my concern has
been this: Should I use access or SQL server?

Access is simpler and actually quite sufficient for my needs (very small
database - only a few tables), but it seems old fahioned to me. But at
the same time, I've been reluctant to choose SQL Server because it
complicates the administration and deployment. Access is simply a file
you copy, but with SQL server you have to install the engine and check
in the installation if it exists, attach the database... Not extremely
complicated but still a little overkill for my application.

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Cheers,
Johnny J.

[Samuel R. Neff]

The SQLite DLL has is already a managed dll with embedded unmanabed
code. You can create one DLL with both by including the original
SQLite code in your app instead of using the DLL. I'm not sure why
this would be necessary though.

As far as performance, SQLite is 4x faster than MSSQL in our tests.

Sam
------------------------------------------------------------
We're hiring! B-Line Medical is seeking .NET
Developers for exciting positions in medical product
development in MD/DC. Work with a variety of technologies
in a relaxed team environment. See ads on Dice.com.
On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:50:47 GMT, Freddy Potargent
<fr**************@amcnv.bewrote:

>Johnny Jörgensen wrote:

>That looks interesting too, but what I liked about VistaDB is that it is
embeddeable (is that an actual word? :-) )

I'm no native English or American speaker so I couldn't tell but I get
the meaning. :-)

Looked at VistaDB and it seems an interesting package. They also need to
distribute an assembly with your app (about 700k compared to 385k for
SQLite) *but* you can embed that assembly using the Microsoft ILMerge tool.

Tried to embed SQLite with ILMerge but that doesn't work (probably
because there's unmanaged code in there). Bummer. :-/

>I wonder about the performance, though... Hence my post. But I will take a
look at SQLite too.

Embedding or not shouldn't make a difference performance-wise so it's
just the db-engines compared to each other. I would also be interested
in comparing the two, I'll let you know when/if I get around to it.

[Samuel R. Neff]

Here's a thread from teh SQLite.NET mailing list that has some
comparison information with other databases, including VistaDB.

"
VistaDb 2.1.7 w/ ADO.NET 2.0 Provider
VistaDb is a commercial embedded product having similar limitations as
Firebird. The provider runs on the Compact Framework but only to
connect to a VistaDB server. It does have row-level locking, and lots
of customized classes for bulk loading data and other Vista-specific
operations. Vista's ADO.NET 2.0 provider is lacking, however. It has
no DbProviderFactories support, no ConnectionStringBuilder, no
GetSchema() on the connection object, and no VS2005 data designer
extensibility features.
"

http://sqlite.phxsoftware.com/forums/thread/622.aspx

Some VistaDB employees also have posts on that thread.

HTH,

Sam
------------------------------------------------------------
We're hiring! B-Line Medical is seeking .NET
Developers for exciting positions in medical product
development in MD/DC. Work with a variety of technologies
in a relaxed team environment. See ads on Dice.com.

On Fri, 8 Jun 2007 14:45:03 +0200, "Johnny Jörgensen" <jo**@altcom.se>
wrote:

>Thanks everybody who have taken the time to give their input on this matter.
I wasn't really looking for other solutions, though. Most of the other
solutions (except one), I already knew about.

What I really wanted was some information on the VistaDB solution so that I
could make an educated comparison to the other possibilities and make a
decision about what the best solution for my project is.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any information about VistaDB. I don't know if
it's safe to assume that nobody has tested it... Maybe I should be the first
then?

Thanks again for taking the time...
Johnny J.

[David McCallum]

Johnny,

So I though of testing VistaDB, but I just wonder if anybody knows of it
and has experiences using it they would like to share???

Like Brian, I have been using VistaDB since version 2.0 and can thoroughly
recommend it.

As Brian has said, support is excellent. Most issues are dealt within a
couple of days and distributed with each build. One lacking problem, is
documentation, but Jason (the boss) has improved on this fantastically since
taking over.

David McCallum.