which kind of database to use?

Question

I'm using Delphi and I'd like to code something similar to the MAC (Mpeg Audio Collection) but for other kind of files as well. (from exes to zips and everything in between too: images, videos, pdfs...)

I don't remember a single thing about databases. I tried MySQL but it was a pain to install and couldn't link the database propperly...

So, what kind of database should I use? links to tutorials would be so great, I've got to start all over with databases...

Only Delphi please...

Hehe, thanks guys... Yes, I need something simple and completely embedded in the application. The database is just to store and retrieve the files info. That info will be indexed and analysed by the app itself.

Sorry I didn't give these details before but, as I said, I don't remember a thing about db and I just didn't know where to start explaining... ^_^

I'm leaving the question open for a another while.

Again, thanks a lot guys/gals

Answer 1

Delphi has BDE built-in, so it should talk to Paradox / dBase natively, and just about any other database with proper drivers (ODBC or else). You should have BDD (Borland Database Desktop) installed for creating tables and running queries and such in Paradox and dBase already.

Or if you want to get a bit fancy shmancy, look for a XML read/write library. It won't be as fast, but it'll be very "compatible" and expandable.

Answer 2

"Although you can connect Delphi to any database like MySql, Microsoft Sql server, Oracle, MsAccess etc with dbExpress and ODBC, it's still too difficult to use and have many limitation, is not like Interbase IbExpress component"

Nonsense, it's just as easy to use SQL Server, MySQL or whatever with Delphi using dbExpress or ADO components and there are no limitations. I have 7 years experience of doing this for mission critical applications and I'd chose any of them before Interbase any day. For a start my customers have heard of them so they're willing to trust them with their critical data.

The BDE and Paradox are the last thing you want to use. The BDE hasn't been developed in at least 7 years, it won't work on Vista and Paradox indexes are notoriously unreliable.

If you're looking to have a central database accessed by several clients then a database like SQL Server or MySQL is the way to go. However I think what you're looking for is a desktop database, possibly with the engine embedded into your app, in which case SQLite is probably the best option.

I've been looking at SQLite recently and these components seem to be the best if you need full TDataSet descendants:
http://www.aducom.com/

Answer 3

Well, MySQL is pretty easy to install, but regardless of how easy it is, I wouldn't recommend it. MySQL is a dedicated database server. That's great if you're dealing with a large scale database, but what you're really working with is a small personal database for a standalone application.

I suggest looking at SQLite. It's a very well known library for an embedded database, which is what you want. The native API is in C, but a google search on Delphi and SQLite suggests there are a lot of mature components for it already. Well, it is a popular small scale DB.

Answer 4

for Delphi : Interbase .
Although you can connect Delphi to any database like MySql, Microsoft Sql server, Oracle, MsAccess etc with dbExpress and ODBC, it's still too difficult to use and have many limitation, is not like Interbase IbExpress component.
If your database is small, you can use ClientDataset (*.cds)with Tsimpledataset component (dbExpress).

Answer 5

Take a look at this:

http://www.vistadb.net/

I know the developer of this software and I can tell you, you would be happy with it.