What is a good choice of database for a small .NET application? [closed]

Answer 1

SQL Server Compact if you want to use the official microsoft solution. This has the advantage of being able to use replication with SQL server if you need that sort of thing.

SQLite if you want to somthing very simple small and free. This is what android uses for it's internal databases so it is very well supported and there are very good .NET bindings available.

One distinct advantage of SQLite is that it is cross-platform. So if you wanted to port your application to Mono.NET then you wouldn't have any modifications to make to the database implementation.

I do not like MS Access for this solution but a lot of people have included it in their answer. It is limited due to the proprietary format and platform dependence. It does have it's advantages though. You can manipulate data easily if you have a copy of MS Access, you can build queries graphically and create macros. You can easily integrate it with the rest of MS Office.

Out of all these SQLite would be my recommendation due to it being so compact, well documented and supported by a growing army of fellow developers regardless of platform.

EDIT

I realized that there is another option that everybody here forgot to mention

So long as you don't need relational tables you could use CSV file read as a dataset via ADO.NET. (More of a lulz suggestion than anything else but would be suitable in some cases and doesn't require additional libraries for a MS deployment.

Answer 2

I'd recommend SQLite. We are using it for almost all of the apps we develop where I work.

It's small and compact. It does require a DLL to be in the app directory, but you don't have to have other software installed like Access or SQL Server. Also, as stated by danielkza below, "SQLite is public domain, so you don't have to worry at all about licensing." That can really make a big difference.

You can use System.Data.SQLite or csharp-sqlite to access it in a C# app using the same methods as that of SQL or OleDB.

You will also need an application to edit/manage the database. The best one in my opinion is SQLite Studio. Here are a couple more:
SQLite Admin
SQLite 2009 Pro (bottom of the page)
Update - 7/25/11 - More SQLite apps (question here on SO)

Here's more on SQLite:
SQLite on Wikipedia
Companies that use SQLite

Custom Functions: As an addition, if you are looking in the SQLite Core Functions and don't see one you like, you can create your own custom functions. Here are a couple of examples:
From SO
Anoter example

Answer 3

If you are building a project with .NET 4.0.2 or greater and want embedded database support, consider SQL Server Express LocalDB.

It's a relatively new addition to the Express family that features a smaller installation footprint and reduced management overhead (when compared to other editions of Express), yet it maintains the programmability aspects of SQL Server. That is, unlike Compact Edition, LocalDB does not require the installation of a separate ADO.NET provider to communicate with SQL.

See the following for more details:

SQL Express v LocalDB v SQL Compact Edition (MSDN Blogs)
SQL LocalDB vs SQL Server CE (Stack Overflow)

Answer 4

You could use Sql Server Express Edition as its free and is equally powerful until and unless you want functionality like mirroring etc. Have a look at this.

Answer 5

SQL Server Express or MS Access

Answer 6

Firebird embedded can be a good choice

The embedded version is an amazing variation of the server. It is a fully featured Firebird server packed in just a few files. It is very easy to deploy, since there is no need to install the server.

There is some very good dot net drivers