Lightweight SQL database which doesn't require

Question

Could you recommend a lightweight SQL database which doesn't require installation on a client computer to work and could be accessed easily from .NET application? Only basic SQL capabilities are needed.

Now I am using Access database in simple projects and distribute .MDB and .EXE files together. Looking for any alternatives.

Answer 1

SQLite is great.

Also check out Firebird embedded. It might be a better option if multiple users need to access the database in the future.

Answer 2

You could look at VistaDB if you are writing in .NET. It is 100% managed code, contains true referential integrity, tsql stored procs, clr procs, and much more in a single assembly you can xcopy deploy.

VistaDB runs in shared hosting asp.net sites under medium trust, and in active directory domains as guest (no local permissions) as well.

There are no registry or other configuration settings required on the machine you deploy the engine on, and the runtime is royalty free.

32/64 bit support is included in the single assembly. Mixed mode engines with unmanaged code generally require you to ship more than 1 version of the unmanaged code to support 32 and 64 bit, or to recompile for specific CPU targets.

See the Advantages of VistaDB SO thread for more information.

http://www.vistadb.net

Answer 3

SQLite will be what you're after

Answer 4

Howabout SQL Server 3.5/2008 Compact Edition? A neat embedded version of SQL Server.

http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2008/en/us/compact.aspx

Works pretty nice with .NET, and of course all your regular SQL Server tools and scripts work fine.

Answer 5

Check SQLite, it's a software library that implements a self-contained, serverless, zero-configuration, transactional SQL database engine.

It has many wrappers for .NET

Answer 6

You can store your data as JSON files. If you need it to be stand-alone, there are dll solutions such as IODB and LiteDB