IS4401IS4401Project Technology Issues

IntroductionIntroduction

This seminar covers Databases

When to use a Database What Database to use

Development Tools Visual Studio 2005

DatabasesDatabases

When to use a databaseWhat database to use

When to use a databaseWhen to use a database

Reasons for using a database Large amount of data Complex data Customer requires it Data must be shared with other applications Data integrity is an issue Data are easily organised into tabular form Saves you the bother of designing your own data

storage mechanism

When to use a databaseWhen to use a database

Reasons not to use a database Application not dependent on data storage Very small amount of data Unstructured or unusually structured data Proof of concept with limited data storage requirements

But see slide on hosted databases if it’s a website

Alternatives to databases Text files Structured (CSV) text files Serialised object files

Can be implemented in Java, C# and VB.NET You can define complex and unusual data structures (eg video)

I need a database:I need a database:Now what?Now what?

Database Management Systems (DBMSs)

Provide environment to create, operate and manage databases

Choices typically open to 4th years are: Oracle 10g SQL Server 2000 SQL Server 2005 Express (NEW this year) MS Access

Also consider: MySQL 5.0

Each DBMS has its own advantages and disadvantages You need to consider these before making your choice

Database ManagementDatabase ManagementSystems (DBMSs)Systems (DBMSs)

How to choose a DBMS Depends on

Project Type Customer’s Environment

Proof of Concept projects Main decision here is if you need a DBMS at all

Depends entirely on project If you decide to use a DBMS, then Oracle 10g, SQL Server

2000 or SQL Server 2005 are the preferred choices Available on BIS network Industry standard Plenty of documentation Provide better integrity and robustness than MS Access

Database ManagementDatabase ManagementSystems (DBMSs)Systems (DBMSs)

How to choose a DBMS Full System Implementations

Application installed at customer site Does the customer already have a DBMS?

YES: Then use the customer’s DBMS if possible, especially if it’s Oracle or SQL

Server. Use MS Access if the customer insists and if you are satisfied that MS Access

will fulfil the data integrity and performance requirements of your project. NO:

Customer is unlikely to want to spend money on a DBMS. In this case, MySQL or SQL Server 2005 Express may be your best options

because they’re free. MS Access may also be an option if the customer is willing to buy it and they

want a clear upgrade path to SQL Server. Do NOT assume customer has MS Access if they have MS Office!

Check!

Database ManagementDatabase ManagementSystems (DBMSs)Systems (DBMSs)

How to choose a DBMS Full System Implementations

Web sites Where is the website to be hosted?

It should not be on Corvus when the system goes live! Hosting services provide database as well as web hosting Find out what your intended hosting service provides

Likely to be Oracle, SQL Server or MySQL Use the same DBMS for your development system

Note! Need to identify hosting requirements early in project Need to plan for migration from development system to hosted

system

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:The Pros and ConsThe Pros and Cons

Oracle 10g and SQL Server 2000 Pros:

Industry standard DBMSs with lots of advanced features Either will deliver excellent performance and data integrity Choice really depends on

Personal preference Programming knowledge Customer environment Hosting environment

Cons: Expensive Time-consuming to install Customer unlikely to buy one of these DBMSs for your

project if they don’t have one already

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:The Pros and ConsThe Pros and Cons

MS Access Pros:

It’s almost everywhere – bundled with some versions of MS Office

Reasonably easy to use Familiar API Well integrated with MS Office Clear upgrade path to SQL Server

Cons: Not suitable for large projects Not suitable for web applications Limits on database size and number of users Prone to error if performance limits approached

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:Access or SQL Server?Access or SQL Server?

Microsoft issues with Access 2Gb maximum size File sharing architecture will not handle very large

queries Unsuitable for web applications Large databases may become corrupt Can’t recover/rollback from network problems Theoretically max 255 users, in practice 20 Imposes heavy load on client computer Does not scale well on multi-CPU platforms Databases frequently badly designed

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:Access or SQL Server?Access or SQL Server?

Access SQL Server

Description Database development environment that supports tables, queries, forms, reports, and programming logic.

Scalable, reliable, and more secure client/server database engine.

Maximum database size 2 gigabytes (GB) 1 terabyte

Maximum concurrent users

Up to 20 concurrent editors.

Up to 100 concurrent reports being run.

Unlimited

Security File access-based security.

Enterprise-level security.

Performance Limited by file share model.

Limited only by hardware and application design.

Reliability Adequate for individuals and small team usage.

Recovery from network failures cannot be rolled back.

High reliability. SQL Server is a mission-critical database.

Backup and administration tools available.

Table taken from:

When to Migrate from Microsoft Access to Microsoft SQL Server

SQL Server Technical Article

Writers: Luke Chung and Dan Haught

Published: February 2005

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:Pros and ConsPros and Cons

MySQL 5.0 Pros

Enterprise-level DBMS Very fast Free Well documented Easy to install

Cons Not currently installed on BIS network Installation of appropriate drivers and patches can be

confusing and must be carefully considered Need to be careful with security setup

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:MySQL 5.0MySQL 5.0

Why consider MySQL? Free Fast Scaleable Enterprise-grade Runs on all platforms Much more robust than MS Access Very comprehensively documented

So what’s the catch? Does things a little differently from Oracle and SQL Server But these differences are also well documented

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:MySQL 5.0MySQL 5.0

What is MySQL? Originally designed to work with medium

size databases (10-100 million rows, or about 100MB per table) on small computer systems.

Today MySQL Server handles terabyte-size databases

The code can also be compiled in a reduced version suitable for hand-held and embedded devices.

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:MySQL 5.0MySQL 5.0

Differences with other DBMSs Lots of small differences SQL implementation is slightly different Philosophy is to standardise MySQL as

much as possible without sacrificing performance

MySQL has extensions to SQL that enhance performance

Differences not likely to matter in a 4th year project context

DBMS Choices:DBMS Choices:SQL Server 2005 ExpressSQL Server 2005 Express

Bundled with Visual Studio 2005 Can also be downloaded separately Advantages

Alternative to Access Almost the same as SQL Server 2005 Scaleable Clear upgrade path

Disadvantages Size limited – this is not likely to be an issue

with smaller businesses

Free database downloadsFree database downloads

The following DBMSes can be downloaded FREE: Oracle 10g Express Edition

http://www.oracle.com/technology/software/products/database/xe/index.html

MySQL 5.0 Community Editionhttp://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.0.html

SQL Server 2005 Expresshttp://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/sql/download/

Free database downloadsFree database downloads

A final caveat on licenses As a rule, these databases are free for non-

commercial use Commercial use may require purchase of a

license Check the license terms carefully!

Development ToolsDevelopment Tools

Visual Studio 2005NetBeans 5.5

Visual Studio 2005Visual Studio 2005

Languages SupportedVB.NETC#J#

Technologies.NET 2.0, ASP.NET 2.0, ADO.NET 2.0.NET for mobile devices

Features of Visual Studio Features of Visual Studio 20052005

Integrated Development ServerDeployment ToolsPartial ClassesDesigner Code

For Windows FormsFor Web Pages

And lots more

Visual Studio 2005 LayoutVisual Studio 2005 Layout

Practical Intro to Visual Practical Intro to Visual Studio 2005Studio 2005

Getting startedConfiguring for use with C#Saving to the H: drive

Create and Build a Web PageDeploy Web page to an external

hosting service