Another option instead for MS Access Table

Question

I have a desktop form application that currently uses and Microsoft Access MDB file to store the data. If the users computer does not have access installed on their computer they have to download the MS Access Runtime to run the application or they get errors.

Is their a better option than using MDB files to store the data? Should I use XML?

Thanks

Answer 1

I recommend SQLite

Google around there are many bindings for many languages.

Answer 2

SQLite is widely considered to be a suitable alternative to MDB files.

Alternatively, you can use SQL Server Express.

Answer 3

Yes you could use XML but this also puts data in the clear (anyone can open the xml file and look at the data). If you include a quiet install of mdac in your application installation, you can solve your problem of msaccess runtime error. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/192009