MySql or Access?

whats better?

[lty83]

I'm probably asking a stupid question. But what database runs better for an ecommerce website. I am currently using access, but i'm not sure how many users it can handle and have heard mysql is much better. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[txbakers]

mySql.

Access is not a database "server", rather it is a wonderful little desktop tool.

[the red pill]

Access is a great tool if you just want a database on your local box. It's quick and easy to setup, has a great GUI, and the reporting tools are very handy.

For something like an ecommerce site however, I would DEFINITELY go with MySQL. It is a proper database server and is used on thousands of websites. The fact that it's free doesn't hurt either!

[Internet Engineer]

I have heard - but haven't confirmed! - that Access is OK until more than about 10 or so people want to connect to your database simultaneously. It's also been heard - but not confirmed! - that Access is good for about 250,000 records, but after that bogs down.

Another caveat: When I heard these figures, it was in reference to Access 97 or thereabouts. Since then, they may have made significant advances in connectivity and capacity, so take my observations above with a grain o' proverbial salt.

Also, have used both ASP (Active Server Pages) and Access, and PHP and MySQL as development paradigms, and MUCH prefer PHP and MySQL. Seeing as how some 60% or so Web sites are hosted on Unix/Linux servers, and PHP and MySQL are somewhat "native" to that OS, that might be a factor in your decision, based on your current or prospective Web hosting needs. (Caveat #3: MySQL is now, as I understand it, available on Windows servers, and ASP is available on Linux/Unix, so factor that as well.) In short, decide with whom - and what server OS you'll be using - then decide which scripting/database solution works for you.

Dan Ford

[txbakers]

I have heard - but haven't confirmed! - that Access is OK until more than about 10 or so people want to connect to your database simultaneously.

I will confirm it. Access breaks down after about 10 users connect. It leaves open connections and will clog your port 80 so that nothing gets through.

The only way to fix it is to stop/start the IIS service.

PhP/mySql are not native to UNIX, but run well on that OS. ASP, however, is native to Windows server.

mySql works just fine on Windows. My platform is ASP/mySQl on a W2K server.