I have been trying for a long time to get SQL Server Express on my computer to practice my C#/SQL with and I still haven't gotten it to work.
Are there other programs I can use to setup an SQL database to practice with? If so, which are the best ones for Vista?
EDIT: To be clear I am not new to SQL programming, I just haven't done any in a while and want to stay fresh. So I would like something that has most of the features of forms of SQL I would use professionally.
What aren't you getting to work for Sql Express. It works on Vista. I use it on a daily basis. It no longer comes standard with a "northwind" database, but you an download the AdventureWorks DB. Can you be more specific about "I still haven't gotten it to work"?
I've also heard good things about firebird
Although I still believe that C# and SQL Express is the best way to go.
Vista DB is quite a nice lightweight managed flatfile database (not related to Windows Vista).
MySQL or Postgresql are both full fledged DB's and good for education/experimentation. You can also check out Oracles free version.
For something very simple look at sqlite It supports most SQL syntax and stores it's database in a single file so has very little setup. You'll need an ado.net data provider for it which you can find here Although it isn't a good choice for multi user systems with lots of data it should be fine for an introduction to database programming.
SQLite is good if you need something fast, small and powerful... its a fast download also.
SQL Server Express generally should be the natural choice for practice with .NET and C#.
If you have no prior experience in working with SQL Server and its Express version one most confusing thing is that SQL Server Express is not installed as default instance, but as SQLEXPRESS instance. So you have to use "Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS" in your connection string.
In case you can not overcome issues with SQL Express you can try Postgres, but you will need to download and use .NET Data Provider for Postgres.
Both Oracle and IBM offer offer versions of their flagship databases for free in a similar manner to SQL Server Express. Both are excellent products if you wish to play with a 'real' database system.
Postgres is also well worth considering as it is also a 'real' relational database, having originally started as the much respected Ingres RDBMS in the 1980s. However Postgress until recently was Unix-based and I've never found it particularly reliable installing on Windows.
Personally I would not recommend MySQL for your scenario - although the latest edition can finally be described as a RDBMS having evolved from what really was a collection of flat files with a limited SQL query interface it's peculiarities probably mitigate against it's use as a learning tool unless you are actually focused on MySQL. To placate all those thinking of giving me a down vote for this - yes I do use MySQL, and yes it is (now) and excellent product in its place - just not here.
There are a number of other less popular RDMSs you could consider. Firebird has always been something of a favourite of mine as I used to code a lot of Delphi, and SQLite is a joy to work with in many circumstances. It's also a pity you cannot use SQL Server Express as the SQL Server product range is simply the most solid product Microsoft produces and usually my database of choice on anything but the smallest, largest or most unsual installations
I preferr Firebird its a madure BD and its O.S. very stable btw.
and try ibexpert for manager this bd.