Hey there everyone!

I'm just about to start a database assignment for uni but don't know whether to use MS Access or MySQL. I am an adequate use of both but does anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of them???

Thanks

Also would you call MS Access and MySQL an application or a software

What do you mean by application or software, all applications are software.

Access isn't a database, it is a frontend for an external database server, and it deals with database type files, it isn't a true database though, mysql on the otherhand is a true database, so if you are planning on doing anything with any level of complexity I recommend mysql.

True....sort of. Depends on what you classify a Database to be? Is not a DB a collection of relational data?

Hence SQL, MySQL, SQL Anywhere, etc are just flavors of the SQL DB Type, while Access is just a flavor of the OleDB Type? Kind of like Excel is not a Database per say, but it can store data. ... And what about Oracle? Hmmm..


It is really just a view point. Haha. But then I know the IT Experts would argue based on DB theory. So liliafan would be right is what was said.

:-)

Use MySQL

MySQL. If you know both, then it is the better choice. Access will only hold up with a few users. Get too many, or the database gets too large, and you'll be dealing with crashes a lot. Lots of other reasons too, but that's the simplest.

An Access database is a database. Anything that's used to store information in a structural way is a database. Whether it's flat (stored in a file), hierarchical, network, object, or the most, popular relational, it's a database; they're all forms of storing data.

What's better? Well, Access is designed to function as a desktop application for a single user to store information. It's possible, however, to have multiple connections to it, but I wouldn't recommend it. The more connections you have to it, the more it slows it down (more severe than MySQL), and the higher the chances of data corruption (you could have multiple people modify a field in the table at the same time, and information may be overwritten; so you'd have to have some sort of locking mechanism to prevent this). I only recommend Access for personal use because it provides tools for reporting and easy data retrieval and insertion.

If you're going to create an application where multiple users have to retrieve data, I suggest you go with MySQL. Because it's a database server, it's ready to deal with multiple users. It handles locking and data corruption. It's fast too. It has security features, among other things. Also, it's free for non-corporate use, unlike Access.

what version of MySQL is it

if you need to create views.. then use access.. as if u have mysql of less than veriosn 5 it does not support them.

if you have a lot of CONCURRENT users, use mySQL

jack
www.ansariltd.com

Access is only really good for up to 30 concurrent connections (according to MS). I can verify this as all my software has an optional MS Access backend and we have used 30 concurrent connection systems many times with no problems whatsoever.

MySQL is better for more concurrent connections and provides much better possibilities for future growth.

They are both databases, by the way. Regardless of what the MS bashers think.

By this definition a telephone book is a database since it stores information in a structural way.

Okay to correct myself earlier yes Access is a database, however, it doesn't compare on any level to more sophisticated databases, this is based on my experiences, I have used dozens of database systems everything from GDBM, to BerkleyDB, from Mysql to Postgres, from MSsql Server to Sybase and Oracle. Access has a pathetic method of locking (in the versions that support locking) so whilst it may support concurrent connections it may not be protecting the data. Database repairs often cause even more problems.

Also I wouldn't define myself as a MS basher admittedly I prefer unix like systems I also believe MS has a place and they fill that place very well, I do, however, have a particular dislike of Access this is based on my bad experiences with it, not on my personal feelings towards microsoft, if you want a database to store your personal records or your cd collection Access fills that space well, if you plan on having more than one person accessing it at a time then Access seriously lacks in certain important errors.