Access Or SQL

[foodstamp]

I am looking to get started back on DB programming with hopes of writing small programs for distribution. What would be the best route to go?

Access 2007 or SQL ? they both have advantages and disadvantages in my opinion but sql desktop engine seems a little crippled. can a personal finance or address book use more then 2 gb of data?

[GaryMazzone]

First SQL is a languate to interact with a database system (Structured Query Lanuage), it is not a database.

If you mean SQL Server (a Microsoft version of the RDBMS engine) that is what I would use.

[foodstamp]

Yes I did mean SQL Server

[si_the_geek]

sql desktop engine seems a little crippled.

I presume you are referring to MSDE (which is very out of date, it was replaced in 2005) or the Compact edition.

The Compact edition is limited, but it is often enough - it depends what features will be useful to you.

The Express edition (also free) is a tiny bit limited...but while it has fewer features than the full-blown server editions, it has far more features (and far more generous limitations) than Access does.

I would recommend SQL Server Express, but another free server based system (such as MySQL or Oracle 'Express') would do the job too.

can a personal finance or address book use more then 2 gb of data?

Only if you go out of your way to do things extremely badly... that kind of thing should generally be noticeably less than 50 MB.

I just did a quick check on the size of my TV Guide DB, which stores all data (including episode descriptions etc) for TV programmes on 70+ channels... and after about 14 months it has only reached 63 MB.