What do you think of Postgres and Firebird Databases? [closed]

Answer 1

As others have pointed out, PostgreSQL is very good in terms of features, speed and reliability. However, after having developed an enterprise .Net application in it, I have to say that it does not mesh with Visual Studio as easily as SQL Server. Aside from that, SQL Server vs PostgreSQL is a little like the Windows GUI vs the Linux shell: one is easy to use, but the other is much faster and more powerful, ONCE you get used to it.

Apparently you can't use LINQ via the ODBC driver, and if you're developing a system using sometimes connected mobile devices, you lose the option of automatic synchronization that you would otherwise have with SQL Server and SQL Server Compact.

Answer 2

Why don't you try SQL Express a scaled down version of SQL from Microsoft which is free to use.

Answer 3

Most of the features are the same on both however I recommend Firebird 1. FB - supports multiple collation within a table 2. FB - more choices on mature drivers to work with 3. FB - connection managed by either Thread or Process depend on your use/setup 4. FB - embedded support

Not recommend Stay away MS SQLExpress

A little Draw back 1. FB - blob handling is not so great if condition below are true but if you move blob column(s) into separated table, then no issue with blob a. massive data mining/manipulating b. blob column(s) is/are defined with other data columns

Answer 4

I'm using firebird database since 1.0

I'm very happy with it

I'm using on windows and linux

Some time ago, I used to work with odbc. No problems and very easy

Easy instalation, very small maintenance, rocks

Dividing db in several files is an option, but I don't recomend you to do it

After server crashes (electric problem or full harddisk) the system continues working inmediatly without any maintenance

I have versión 2.1 on testing and 1.5 on production

I'm using flamerobin to manage both versions

Hellen's book is great to learn about firebird

I also tested and read about postgresql.

It looks a great db server

Since long time, they are using multigenerational records (as firebird before interbase before groton databases did since the begining)

On postgresql, now you need to vacued records (on firebird it is called sweep)

Someone told you it wasn't necesary on postgresql, but I don't thing so

postgresql has a better language. You can write your own funcions with this language (on firebird you have to write new functions on c, c++, etc...)

postgresql has more data types. In fact you have several of them. You also have full search.

On postgresql you also have regular expresions (I think in where, and therefore with sustitution options). This funcionality will be ready on firebird very soon

In any case, I'm very happy with firebird and it evolucion.

Postgresql and firebird are improving and diferences bettwen them are smaller

Many of the comments comparing firebird and postgresql are copied from... http://www.firebirdsql.org/dotnetfirebird/blog/2005/03/firebird-advantages-over-postgresql.html

this is an old comparation. I don't think postgresql driver on .net is not mature now

With firebird you cannot connect from one database to another (it will be possible in a short future)

Firebird is smaller and easer than postgresql, but it's also very good in performance, stability and low mantenaince

bye

Answer 5

I always worked with Firebird since 2005 writing application in Delphi, C# and ASP.NET. I never had a corrupt database in my projects. I never needed to work with another database. Why Firebird instead of PostgreSQL? Because Firebird is:

• Easy to Install and Configure;
• Very stable;
• Lightweight (Firebird 2.5 Download: 6,4MB / Postgresql 9.0 Download: 47MB);
• OpenSource;
• Easy deployment (PSQL);
• Crossplatform (Win32 / Win64 / Linux x86 / Linux AMD64 / MacOS X / Solaris / HP-UNIX);
• No need for DBAs;
• Embedded engine;

Well. If you are using Firebird you dont need another Database. :)

Answer 6

I've been using Firebird for several years. Its been rock solid and I'm very happy with it. Excellent comprehensive documentation is available via Borrie's "The Firebird Book" & its updates. Awesome administration capabilities are available using IBexpert.