Good Single User Open Source Persistant Database that's easy to install and works with Open Office Base?

Question

I'm creating a program for end-users, that's already written using MySQL and some OpenOffice.org Star Basic Macros. I was wondering if there was an open source single user database that would be easy enough for the average Joe to install, (or that I could write a macro to install it for him...)

Answer 1

The OpenOffice.org Base Wikipedia article briefly describes the database module in openoffice.

OpenOffice.org users, however, can choose to connect to external full-featured SQL database such as MySQL, PostgreSQL and even Oracle through ODBC or JDBC drivers. OpenOffice.org Base can hence act as a GUI frontend for SQL views, table design and query.

A simple, single-user database library that needs no install is SQLite, that had been considered by the openoffice team. It is used in many mainline applications, e.g. Mozilla Firefox.

Answer 2

It would really help if you would specify the target OS. Though, the "easy enough for the average Joe to install" bit suggests Windows. :-)

If my guess is right, have you looked at Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5? There are couple of features that might actually meet your needs:

• Free to use and distribute
• No administration required
• Single file, code free database format
• Support for ClickOnce, XCopy, MSI, CAB, and non-admin embedded installation options
• less than 2 MB of files to deploy and with no dependencies on back-end services

If the name Microsoft by itself is enough to give you nightmares, there's also the SQLite server. I personaly have not used it and can't vouch how good it is. However, it is backed by big names like Adobe, Mozilla and Symbian, so I would assume it should be good enough for you needs too.

Answer 3

SQLite will likely fit the bill. Very simple, very simple to install, very popular and stable.

Answer 4

Maybe use the one built into OpenOffice 2?

Update

Okay, more details. The database product is called, simply, Base. It's both a front-end and provides a local database: it provides HSQL for local databases, and it supports a whole raft of other databases like MySQL:

For power users in the enterprise, BASE delivers native support drivers for a variety of multi-user database engines: MySQL, Adabas D, MS Access and PostgreSQL. In addition, support for JDBC and ODBC standard drivers allows you to connect to virtually any existing database.