What is wrong with using MS Access for a fifty station online purchasing system or though rare, when might it be OK. What is wrong with using SQL Server for a "Mom and Pop" shop of three computers?
MS access is great when there is little traffic. Its minimal maintenance costs makes it perfect for that situation. It just does not handle many simultaneous queries.
On the other hand, SQL server is designed for high volume traffic, and it is supposed to be scalable, i.e. handle large volumes with appropriate increase in resources. There is nothing wrong with using SQL server for a minimal setup, as long as the substantial start-up cost and administration cost is not a burden to the administrator.
Using MS Access for a fifty station online purchasing system is generally not recommended due to several reasons:
1. Scalability: MS Access is not designed to handle large-scale systems with many simultaneous users. As the number of stations increases, the performance of MS Access can quickly degrade, leading to slowdowns and potential data corruption issues.
2. Security: MS Access lacks robust security features required for an online purchasing system. It may not provide the necessary encryption, authentication, and authorization mechanisms to protect sensitive customer data adequately.
3. Data Limitations: MS Access has a maximum database size limit of 2GB, which can be quickly reached or exceeded in a system with a large number of transactions and customers. This can lead to data loss or system failure.
On the other hand, using SQL Server for a "Mom and Pop" shop with just three computers might be excessive or unnecessary due to the following reasons:
1. Cost: SQL Server is a commercial database management system that requires licensing and can be costly for small businesses with a limited budget. Investing in SQL Server for a small-scale operation may not be economically viable.
2. Complexity: SQL Server offers a wide range of features and functionalities designed for enterprise-level applications. Implementing and maintaining such a powerful system for a small business with limited technical expertise may be overly complex, leading to unnecessary complications and difficulties.
3. Performance: SQL Server is optimized for handling large amounts of data and high-scale systems, which may not be required for a small shop. The additional overhead of running SQL Server may not provide noticeable performance benefits compared to using simpler and lightweight database solutions.
In summary, it is important to choose a database system that aligns with the scale, security, and performance requirements of the specific application. For a fifty station online purchasing system, a more robust and scalable database system like MySQL or PostgreSQL would be preferable. For a "Mom and Pop" shop with three computers, opting for a lightweight and cost-effective solution like SQLite or even MS Access might be a more suitable choice.