At what point is it worth using a database?

Question

I have a question relating to databases and at what point is worth diving into one. I am primarily an embedded engineer, but I am writing an application using Qt to interfa

Answer 1

I see quite a few requirements that well met by databases:

1). Ad hoc queries. Find me all the {X} that meet criteria Y

2). Data with structure that can benefit from normalisation - factoring out common values into separate "tables". You can save space and reduce the possibility of inconsistency this way. Once you've done this then those ad-hoc queries start to be really useful.

3). Large data volumes. Professional database are very good at making good use of resoruces, clever query optmisations and paging strategies. Trying to write this stuff yourself is a real challenge.

You're clearly not needing that last one, but the other two, maybe do apply to you.