Hi @all,
we are going to migrate our Client/Server Application from C++ to Java (which then will be running in an browser), which will storing data on- and offline.

Currently we are using Sybase anyhwere 9 as a DB. We are planing to use Hibernate and since Hibernate does not support Sybase Anywhere 9 (and since we would like to minimize costs) we will change the db as well.

Which DB-System can u recomend? We have already decided to use DB2 on the server side but what (open source) db-system would be best on the client side? MySql?

Expections (edit):
- Easy Installation. Since our application will be running on approx. 3000 Notebooks, which receive software updates via online connection, it ist important that the new db can be copied onto a system and does not require any installation or adminstration (except for a onetime install of ODBC drivers or simalar).
- Runs on Windows OS. The Application will only be running on Windows XP or Windows 2000.
- The Size of the DB will not exceed 10 GB.
- The DB will be accessed at most by approx. 10 people at the same time.
- Varchars and numerics, yes. BLOBs would be nice but are not mandatory.
- Support Trigger and Stored Procedures

I hope you have some tips for me. ;-) Thanks!

Kind regards
Lars-Chr. Stokes

Is your application going to be able to run on multiple platforms?

What expectations do you have on size of data (gigabytes?), types of data (varchars and numerics, or BLOBs and XML?)

The more detailed information you provide, the better quality feedback you will receive. :)

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Stephen Souness

Oops, kinda forgot. ;-)

- Easy Installation. Since our application will be running on approx. 3000 Notebooks, which receive software updates via online connection, it ist important that the new db can be copied onto a system and does not require any installation or adminstration (except for a onetime install of ODBC drivers or simalar).
- Runs on Windows OS. The Application will only be running on Windows XP or Windows 2000.
- The Size of the DB will not exceed 10 GB.
- The DB will be accessed at most by approx. 10 people at the same time.
- Varchars and numerics, yes. BLOBs would be nice but are not mandatory.
- Support Trigger and Stored Procedures

Ciao
Lars

Nobody has any suggestions? :-(

What about MySql? H2? Others?

As far as I understand you require only a lite DB. So think H2Db will be sufficient for you. We have been using the H2 embedded DB in our application and we are quite happy with it. It has all the requirements you has specified and its open.

You can add me to the H2 db list. I agree with littypreethkr. It's one of the easiest to work with embedded databases and has enough flexibility. It also meets your criteria.

You could also look into some of these for comparisons, sqlite, firebird(the embedded db), hsqldb, mysql(also has an embedded version).

I prefer H2 myself.

Are you sure your client side databases are going to be in the order of 10Gb in size?

My vote is for PostgreSQL, as it has more mature support for stored procedures etc. than MySQL and SQLite, and I don't know much about the other systems that have been mentioned.

(Assuming that you don't want to have to pay license fees for commercial options)

If the size of the databases was going to stay below 2GB then SQL Server Express would be a decent candidate, given that you are already in a Windows environment.

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Stephen Souness

Thanks everybody for your help. :-)

From what I've heard PostGre ist a bit difficult when it comes to installation and administration. So right now H2 seems to be the most promising candidate.

Does H2 come with something like Sybases Powerdesigner? Our Datamodell is quite large, so...;-)

I have never used sybase nor any of it's tools, but if it's anything like sql enterprise manager or oracle's sql developer then no.

It does have a useful gui tool which you can view the database and create tables in etc. look at this link.
http://www.h2database.com/html/quickstart.html

If you are looking for a visual modeling tool you might have better luck using some other tool like dbdesigner-fork or toad, export the sql and just edit it to fit h2's syntax. You might even be able to do this with sybases tool.