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Database types

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by vincenttech628

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I am trying to create a database that will house financial data as well as performance data and I'm trying to determine the best format to use as ultimately I would like to write a program that will interact with this database and manipulate the information housed in it and generate different analyses. Any ideas on what database platform is best to start with?

8 replies

by shellbot

how big will it need to be?
how many users will use?
what language will your program be in?
what technology are you comfy with?

I'm a MS person..if it was me I'd be choosing SQL Server..if your not going to have many users..SQL 2005 Express is free. Interacts well with MS programming languages. Reporting services plugs right in and without a whole lot of effort you've some nice reports to give the boss..

Then again, could always use Access..it does the trick if you don't know much about what your doing.

Give a few more details and we'll see if we can narrow down what you need.

by jaqui

The critical importance of the database design.
You hinted at it in your questions, since they all impact the design. :p

but, will this app ever be called on to handle huge numbers of users? [ such as selling it after completed ]

while access or the fre ms sql server can handle a fair amount, going with the more capable server to start improves scalability.
MySQL is an option, it is very reliable, handles massive concurrent connections, will also handle replication for failover protection schemes, making it competely scalable.
and it will run on windows systems :p

Then you can work with sql itself for the db interaction, making it more portable to other database engines if desired

by shellbot

wasn't thinking "ahead" to selling it..

but i did ask the all important "how many users" :)

ah ya, access or SQL express are only good for a couple concurrent users..so if he's talking what 6-8 initiall users..whats the chance in the next couple of years that will increase..better off to go with SQL or MySQL in the first place then.

Not quite sure what SQL express will take in terms of users..not a whole lot i suspect..

by tony hopkinson

If you want some fairly esoteric financial/statistical functions then teh lower end DBMS' might man you have to write them yourself as opposed to using built in functionality.

Other than that, as Shell says, cost, size, performance, curent inplace technology will have more of an impact than the brand name

by vincenttech628

First I would like to apologize for having taken a few days to respond back. I have been extremely busy and haven't been able to get on the computer to check my messages. Anyways without further delay allow me to answer some of the questions that you guys posed as best I can. With regards to the size of the database- the database with house a significant amount of data and could potentially end up being anywhere in upwards of 300-500 Megabytes. It will house primarily time and cost data, such as the type that would be generated through time tracking and accounting functions. With regards to the number of users who will be using this database the number can be anywhere from 1-50 users who could potentially be using the database concurrently. Now with regards to the program that I am trying to create to interact with the database, I was trying to develop a program taht could provide management with complete control over their business as it would be able to analyze the data and report back to management on issues such as cost overrun, over budgeted time, and assist them in finding lags and bottlenecks within their operation. The database will be populated through the use of a data collection controller, which would need to be installed on the server where the database is housed, and this data collection controller would be communicating with data collection machines taht are both hard wired into the network, and also those communicating via a wireless connection. Given all that I've told you, could you recommend which platform I should use for this database, and which language you feel would be best able to handle such a program. Your insights and opinions are greatly appreciated.

by shellbot

ok, we asked for it..i'll try and get some time this weekend to have a think about it..

by jaqui

50 concurrent connections and the input stream writes access off, without using a multiple server solution.

I would be leery of SQL2005 light as well, though it may be able to handle it.

SQL Server may be out of the budget.
MySQL and Postgresql both run on windows, both compare to SQL Server in performance and scalablility, both available free.

security wise, Postgresql beats MySQL by a bit.
[ financial data, I always put security high on the list of priorities... ok, I always put security high for any confidential data ;) ]

by shellbot

hence why i wasn't posting right away..
access, no good
SQL Express..dunno..don't think it would handle it..oh i'm sure MS says it would (haven't actualy checked) but i wouldn't put much money on it actually coping.

Ya, depends on budget..I'm a SQL person..all i really know other than FoxPro..who wants to go there!! :) (wonder if its still available??)

Used..eh..i'll rephrase that..tried MySQL for a while..eventaully said FTS and moved to SQL server :)

I know nothing at all about Postgres...

so i guess we see what is budget is like..
if its good..wey hey..SQL 2005 and .NET..( i get free cookies nad milk everytime i rope another user into MS..i kinda feel bad..but dang it i like cookies)

But seriously..if have budget and going for ease of use..I'd vote SQL server.

If no budget...I pass the reigns to you, oh Master of Darkness
:)

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