Open source, the Access slayer

David M Williams
Wednesday, 06 February 2008 18:24

Opinion and Analysis

Firebird is fundamentally a database engine, but the project also includes ODBC and JDBC database drivers giving universal connectivity. In fact, this means there’s even a compromise position: use Access if you must for the front-end forms because, after all, they’re quick to make – but put the back-end tables in Firebird and link them via ODBC.

Instantly, problems relating to corruptions and file size limitations and concurrent user limits are slashed drastically. And file share permissions are totally eradicated; you connect to a proper database server running on a machine. There’s no need for users to have any file-level access at all.

MySQL
Allegedly the world’s most popular open source database, MySQL is fast and reliable and rightly deserves the prestigious position of “M” in the LAMP moniker (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) describing a powerful era of apps.

MySQL powers countless numbers of high-capacity web sites as well as many desktop applications. It is the database engine behind Suzuki’s retail outlet kiosks and is backed by extensive support and research and development. This research includes papers explaining how MySQL has reduced the cost of ownership for large corporations and explaining how to eke maximum uptime out of the system. Assistance is given to aid the transition from Access.

PostgreSQL
MySQL may purport to the most popular open source database, but PostgreSQL claim the title of the world’s most advanced open source database. PostgreSQL is extremely mature and is now in version 8.3. While MySQL has a reputation for being fast, PostgreSQL has developed a reputation for being powerful and heavily focused on data integrity and enforcing SQL standards.

It is used in production globally and training and books are both easy to find. As well as education in general, comprehensive manuals are online and updates and items of interest are communicated regularly via the PostgreSQL Weekly News. No PostgreSQL user is ever left alone nor need feel abandoned.

Tools and utilities and documents to help convert from Access are readily found making the process a breeze and a no-brainer. In fact, it need been no more complex than running this Access module which exports all your data as either a MySQL or PostgreSQL database.

So, make the switch. Consider the alternatives. On the one hand we have Microsoft Access, a proprietary database product which, while relatively low-priced, is not bundled with the lower tiers of Microsoft Office and which should be eradicated from companies worldwide. On the other hand, we have a rich suite of open source database systems which are completely free to use and deploy and which implement fast, secure, reliable, scalable data storage and reporting. In each case they have a proven history and a wealth of community support.

The choice is easy. Embrace open source. Your users will thank you for far less down time and your IT department will thank you for far less Access-generated trouble tickets.

Let Access die.