Many people ask us our opinions about which database should be used for their particular situation. This article is designed to give our general opinions about some of the database software that is available in the market today. In general we feel their about five main database software systems used today (Microsoft Access, Filemaker, My SQL, SQL Server and Oracle). While there are many more database systems available these are five of the most popular. We have worked with 4 of the 5 extensively. We do not have much experience with My SQL. We see My SQL being used a good deal with web sites built with PHP and have heard good things but for this article we will not discuss My SQL.
Microsoft Access and Filemaker are the two main desktop database systems in use today. In general they are both good and fairly similar in ease of use in building a database system. Table design and screen design concepts are similar. The two databases vary when it comes to the sql used vs the relationship graph and how code is written. In our opinion Microsoft Access databases generally use more code and give you a little higher level of control. Also SQL is a main feature of Microsoft Access and is starting to gain momentum in the Filemaker world. Filemaker does have a huge advantage if you need to make your application work with Macintosh computers because Filemaker is cross platform. Our general opinion is to use Microsoft Access over Filemaker unless you need the application to be used by Windows and Mac computers.
Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle are two of the leading enterprise database systems. In most cases the software you are using drives you to use one or both of these products. Lots of companies run both of these databases. Example: Your ERP, Financial, CRM, HR or other major software system usually works with one or both of these databases. Once you have one of these databases up and running you have made the investment and then can use it for some custom applications as needed. We personally prefer SQL Server becuase of it’s ease of use. However Oracle has some great tools and SQL features.
There are lots of development tools on the market. When building desktop database systems you usually use Microsoft Access forms, reports, queries, VBA code or Filemaker forms, reports, scripts or something like .NET code (Visual Basic or C#). Using the built-in tools in Microsoft Access or Filemaker in our opinion leads to quicker development than using .net code. However .net gives you the most flexibility and control. Here at RPT Software we like to push the limits of Microsoft Access and are able to achieve our goals, however there have been times where we wished for a few of the nice features of .net. Client server and web-based development is usually done in Microsoft tools (such as asp.net or vb/C#), or Oracle tools, or PHP with My SQL.
One of the toughest decisions is usually “Should my application be web-based”. Desktop databases have concurrency limits and in general work best when on a local area network. However you can get around some limitations by using remote control technologies such as Citrix/terminal services. Many factors must be considered when deciding on “web-based, Y/N?”, how many users?, geographical locations of users, budget, complexity of application/data in application etc…. This article will not cover everything you need to know to make this choice, however in general in our opinion if you go web-based you should use SQL Server, My SQL or Oracle as your database. If you decide to stay with a desktop system Microsoft Access is our top choice. Client server applications are not as common today since most software is moving to be web-based. Keep in mind that building software from scratch is much much easier and quicker using a tool like Microsoft Access or Filemaker (in our opinion).
A private software consulting firm specializing in Microsoft Access consulting and database development. We can help with consulting, programming, support, troubleshooting, training, conversion or general advice. We also sell low cost sample Access databases, templates and products.
