[Hidden-tech] need Access database created

[Chris Duncan, GISmatters]

I don't want to start an overly technical discussion, nor to rumple 
feathers, but I think it's worth briefly noting the following in the 
interest of not needlessly spreading misinformation:

While Robert's concerns about scalability are reasonable, his 
characterization of Access as a non-relational database system is 
simply not correct. There are many good reasons to consider SQL 
Server, Oracle, or MySQL (among others), but a lack of support for the 
relational model is not one of them.

The JET database engine that is often used for Access-based projects 
is indeed a relational database (I almost wrote "fully relational", 
but that is redundant -- there's no "partial" or "fully" to it!).

Access can also be connected to other (relational) database systems 
such as SQL Server or ... as an ODBC data source.

I am not a cheerleader for Access -- I develop web applications with 
both SQL Server and MySQL back-ends -- but Access is certainly a RDBMS 
and has its uses (I have several clients using it more than happily). 
Without knowing more about Gretta's needs, I'd keep an open mind.

Chris


On 8/19/2011 5:53 PM, Robert Monaco wrote:
>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> Suggestion don't use MS access.  Use an actual  RDBMS that can scale
> with you biz and not require access skills..  If your concerned about
> cost IBM and Oracle have free editions that you can add support to if
> you want.  Or you can use mySQL.  Data in a relational format will be
> so much more flexible and scalable in the long run. My two cents.
>
>
> On 8/19/11, Gretta Tucker<walkingtalkingtours at gmail.com>  wrote:
>>     ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>     ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>
>>
>>
>

-- 

Chris Duncan, Ph.D.
President, GISmatters
duncan at GISmatters.com

http://www.gismatters.com/
http://www.allterraindigital.com/
http://www.plugandplaymaps.com/

Tel: +1 413.549.2052
Fax: +1 413.658.0346

1 Tuckerman Ln
Amherst, MA 01002