VB and Databases

[Markpyro]

I've used MySQL in the past and I really enjoy the data sorting functions that can be used within PHP- especially for large user Databases, where you can gather a group of data from a table with a simple query down to the exact row you want.

I've recently become interested in VB.NET, after using Visual Studio to play with the dynamic window-creating tools. (I love how easy it is to visually see how the window will appear :P)

I found a use for the language which will give me experience, but to create the program I have in mind, I'll need to sort possibly large amounts of data. Since MySQL is the easiest way so far I've found to organize information, I was wondering whether these kind of databases can be implemented into VB with the same ease as it would with PHP.

Thanks,
MP

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[TimP]

MySQL can be used in the same way it can be used with PHP, if you're talking about using SQL sorting and stuff. One caveat though - VB.NET uses a database access method called ADO.NET. SQL Server is a first class citizen in ADO.NET for obvious reasons. By first class citizen, I mean that is has special SQL Server-specific enhancements that make it as efficient as possible and allows the programmer to use all the features of SQL Server like stored procedures. ADO.NET has a generic data access method, OLE, which will work with many more databases, but provides generic database functionality.

However, there are free, third party, .NET native components which make MySQL a first class citizen on ADO.NET too (and for Oracle, DB2, and most other popular databases), using MySQL specific enhancements.

For what it's worth, there is a free version of SQL Server 2005 called SQL Server 2005 Express which provides most of the functionality of SQL Server 2005 with limitations that prevent you from running it on large, multiprocessor server boxes with gobs of RAM.