I’m looking for a free high-quality database server for a C# application to be deployed in small business environments where the number of workstations will be between 2 and 20. In many cases there will be no dedicated server which means that the database server will need to be installed on one of the workstations.
Which of the above free database servers would be most suitable for my needs?
I am leaning towards SQL Server Express because it probably has more support and free updates etc and is probably better suited to programming in C#.
For databases to be deployed to small businesses and with 2-20 users, I would go with SQL any time.
I’ve worked extensively with both, SQL server will get the job done in a fraction of the effort, it just works. Cleint tools are so much better compared to Oracle’s.
Oracle will force you to tweak all kinds of technical knobs and dials to work, things I never had to touch or even think about with SQL server. If you don’t set them, Oracle will not work well. If you set them wrong, Oracle defenitely not work well. Right now I’m forced to work with Oracle at my work and I’ve actually just installed SQL 2012 RC0 on my own workstation just so I can run some basic queries in a reasonble amount of time. A team of DBA’s are unable to get the wretched thing to perform. I’ll stop here, I’m getting all worked up again.
Also small businesses are likely to have windows domains, so you can use Integrated Security (out of the box).
Complete no-brainer, go with SQL Server Express. I envy you.
Gert-Jan