MS Access easier with PostgreSQL or MySQL?

On 30/01/12 11:27, gvim wrote:

I want to use MS Access 2007 as a front end to a more robust/FOSS
database. Which is more compatible - MySQL or PostgreSQL? Unbiased
answers please :-).

gvim

Well I have done searches on the Net 3 times since I first came across
PostgresSQL in 2001, and each time it came out faster and more reliable
than MySQL. I have done some DBA work and programming in both MySQL and
PostgreSQL, and I find PostgresSQL much easier to use.

My background in databases started on a mainframe in a COBOL
environment, and I have had experience with Oracle and PRGRESS on a
large UNIX system about 12 years ago..

I am the software architect and chief programmer (currently the only
one) for a JEE system to set up a virtual clinic for training purpose in
Optometry, and I have chosen PostgreSQL as the backend over MySQL (which
is in use on another system where I work).

So I would definitely recommend PostgreSQL!

Cheers,
Gavin

On Sunday, January 29, 2012 2:27:07 pm gvim wrote:

I want to use MS Access 2007 as a front end to a more robust/FOSS database.
Which is more compatible - MySQL or PostgreSQL? Unbiased answers please
:-).

Honestly the compatibility probably has more to do with the Access/ODBC end of
things then the backend db. I use Access with the Postgres ODBC driver and it
works. I have not used MySQL with Access so can not speak to that. The primary
issue that I have faced, also reported by others, is that once you get past
simple queries you will probably need to use the Pass-Through Query option in
Access. I would imagine this is the same for MySQL as it is for Postgres. The
reason for this is that the syntax Access uses in building complex queries is
not all that standard and will often fail on a non-Access backend(assuming one
considers the ACCESS JET db engine a backend) The Pass-Through offers you the
ability to construct server specific queries that get passed to the server
directly.

gvim

--
Adrian Klaver
adrian.klaver@gmail.com