[AccessD] MDBs vs SQL Server

John:

I am a combination of (3) and (4).  We are using SQL Server here at work as
the BE to a "large" (i.e. hundreds-of-thousands of records) environmental
database.  (We are using Access for the user interface.)  Our application
requires access from remote clients, which is why we decided to convert the
BE to SQL Server.  (It may be that we simply didn't know what we were doing,
but it seemed that Access MDBs were simply too slow, especially for our
remote clients, so, based partly on the advice of a consultant; we decided
to go with SQL Server.)  So far, everything has been working fairly well
on the BE after nearly two years of continuous use.  However, I must admit
that our application and database is not subject to "high volume" or the
stress of multiple (simultaneous) concurrent users.  It has not been
stressed with heavy traffic, so I would hesitate to hold our shop out as
a sterling example of a "successful" SQL Server installation - at least not
yet.

I'm also "playing around" with SQL Server at home via an installation of
MSDE on my desktop computer.  I'm learning more [at home] about SQL Server
than I am here at work, mostly due to fear ...  (We are very paranoid about
"messing something up" with our live production database, so we tend to be
very careful about making changes.  Nobody wants to lose their job - which
tends to be a key factor in all our decision making!)

Alan C. Lawhon
    

-----Original Message-----
From: John W. Colby [mailto:jcolby at colbyconsulting.com]
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 7:23 PM
To: AccessD
Subject: [AccessD] MDBs vs SQL Server


I'd like to conduct a non-scientific poll to discover what you folks use.
Please pick one of the numbers and respond to the list.

1) I use SQL Server for all my data.  I wouldn't touch an MDB BE with a 10
foot pole.
2) I use SQL Server mostly, but will touch an MDB BE with a 10 foot pole, as
long as I don't have to be responsible for the mess.
3) I have used SQL Server in at least one actual client system but my bread
and butter is made with MDB BEs.
4) I am fascinated with the possibilities of SQL server, have looked at it,
perhaps installed it at my office, but just don't have the call for it from
my clients.
5) What's this here SQL Server thangie?  All my database BEs are done with
MDBs.
6) I prefer to do my data stores in Excel spreadsheets, but if I must an MDB
is at least within my grasp.  SQL Server is for them big boys n they won't
talk to me.  I would still be using Borland's Reflex if I could get a copy -
now THERE's a REAL MAN'S database!!!

Just pick a number and put it in the first line of your response.

As for me, I am a 4.  I have SQL Server installed in my office, moved my
billing db to it in order to have a real live in use system using it, and
have regretted it ever since.  In fact I yanked the data back out into an
MDB last week after having to rebuild my system twice and then ending up
with torn pages in my SQL Server database.

John W. Colby
www.ColbyConsulting.com


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