Let me first introduce VistaDB: - "VistaDB is the #1 alternative to Microsoft Jet/Access, MSDE, and Xbase for building robust small to midsize .NET database applications" - "VistaDB is a good alternative to MSDE for developers building .NET applications" - "Hassle-free XCOPY deployment with zero administration and zero configuration requirements" - "No additional costs or licenses required for deployment of your applications" VistaDB comes from http://www.vistasoftware.com/ the makers of Apollo (Apollo is a line of high-performance, easy-to-use xBase data engines that support Clipper®, FoxPro® and SIx® data files). - for more information about VistaDB http://www.vistadb.net/vistadb_overview.asp

another nice feature about VistaDB is that its upcoming version (Veriosn 3.0) will be Mono compliant. I feel that having a VistaDB driver would add that much value to LLBL.

I am interested in hearing about comments concerning this issue be it about VistaDB or any other alternitive DB for the .NET.

OMAR

I know that FRANS must be extremly busy, but I was hoping for a comment from FARNS and the rest of the community about the issue of alternatice database engines to JET/MSDE. I think that if LLBL supports one of popular "Alternatice DB engines" then it would add that much value to the product and give us all more options. For myself, I have an upgrade comingup that would benefit greatly from a DB engine like VistaDB (or any other easily deployable engine that does NOT suffer from JET's short comings or MSDE's installation hassles..). It would be my new-year wish for LLBL to have a driver for such a database

I am still interested in hearing every body's feedback on the issue

OMAR

SQL Server Express (MSDE 2005) will allow XCOPY deployment.

If you want easy deployment, why not Firebird embedded? Use firebird and instead of a server, you simply copy the embedded dll into the bin folder. The Firebird.NET provider can work with that. No server, just an fdb file and easy deployment

Otis wrote:

If you want easy deployment, why not Firebird embedded? Use firebird and instead of a server, you simply copy the embedded dll into the bin folder.

Does that mean you don't have to install firebird on the target machine?

Correct I haven't tried it myself, but it should work.

If you want easy deployment, why not Firebird embedded? Use firebird and instead of a server, you simply copy the embedded dll into the bin folder. The Firebird.NET provider can work with that. No server, just an fdb file and easy deployment

1- Where to get this FireBird embeded 2- how much does its license cost 3- does its license allow royality-free distribution will all application that use this firebird embeded 4- what administration tools (if any) can be used wit it 5- how to transfer data to and from FireBird

I really hope this FireBird lives upto what Frans says. This is exactly what I am looking for right now...

omar wrote:

1- Where to get this FireBird embeded

http://firebird.sourceforge.net/index.php?op=files&id=engine

2- how much does its license cost 3- does its license allow royality-free distribution will all application that use this firebird embeded

Yes, it's free, open source

4- what administration tools (if any) can be used wit it

I use IbExpert 2.0, to admin firebird databases. There are several other tools, please check http://firebird.sourceforge.net . You need Firebird.NET 1.6.2 to use the firebird driver for LLBLGen Pro, the 1.6.3 compatible driver isn't released yet.

5- how to transfer data to and from FireBird

Locally you can use a server install. Firebird databases are files, just like access: .fdb files. So all you do is dump a new .fdb file on the server and you're set.