What kind of database should I use for this?

[Jason Cipriani]

I don't know that much about different database engines or drivers. I have
an application that needs to store a lot of data, and it would work out
really well if I could use a database and access everything with SQL
queries. So I'm looking for the following features:

- Database stored as a self-contained file on a local disk.

- No major design-time or user configuration required. For example: I don't
want to have to set up data sources in the ODBC Control Panel, or create
weird DSN files, or install and configure some kind of database server. I
basically just want to say "use this file" at runtime, and then run SQL
queries to my heart's desire, and just have it all work.

- Nothing to install on user's machines. I don't want to have to install
drivers or any other components. I'll redistribute DLLs/BPLs if I have to,
but what I'd really like is something statically linked and completely
contained in my application.

- Blinding speed is not a requirement, nor is any type of security or
authentication. In fact, I'd prefer to not have to do any authentication
stuff at all -- or if I must, I don't want to have to set up user accounts
on anything at design time.

- 100% complete SQL support is also not a requirement. I'm only doing basic
queries, no need for support for complex joins or other new features. Also
SQL portability is not a requirement, I don't mind using database drivers
with their own strange SQL flavors.

So in a nut shell I'm just trying to store application data in a data file
without having to come up with my own file format or do too much work, and
I'd really like to be able to access data via SQL queries (since the data in
this application lends itself well to SQL). I'd prefer not to do something
like, store everything in an XML file (even though there are components to
deal with XML conveniently) or whatever, unless I can get at the data with
SQL.

My questions, then, are: What database component set should I use to do this
(BDE, dbExpress, dbGo, there's so many choices in the standard tool box),
and, if I have a choice, what drivers should I use. Is there a third-party
database component that might be more well-suited to this?

Thanks,
Jason

P.S. This newsgroup does not seem to be very active. If I don't get any
responses here, is there another, more active, newsgroup or forum that
anybody recommends?

[DreamChaser]

Post by Jason Cipriani
I don't know that much about different database engines or drivers. I have
an application that needs to store a lot of data, and it would work out
really well if I could use a database and access everything with SQL
- Database stored as a self-contained file on a local disk.
- No major design-time or user configuration required.
- Nothing to install on user's machines.
- Blinding speed is not a requirement, nor is any type of security or
authentication. In fact, I'd prefer to not have to do any authentication
stuff at all -- or if I must, I don't want to have to set up user accounts
on anything at design time.
- 100% complete SQL support is also not a requirement.
I'd prefer not to do something
like, store everything in an XML file (even though there are components to
deal with XML conveniently) or whatever, unless I can get at the data with
SQL.
My questions, then, are: What database component set should I use to do this
(BDE, dbExpress, dbGo, there's so many choices in the standard tool box),
and, if I have a choice, what drivers should I use. Is there a third-party
database component that might be more well-suited to this?

With your requirement for not adding/installing anything to the client
computer BDE is out. All things considered I think your best option
would be a straight up Access DB. The ADOxx components are used to
"connect" to one. For no user authentication, you'll need to use an
ADOConnection (or ADODatabase) component, and set the Logon property to
false. Check out the Help files for more info.

DC