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Microsoft SQL Server Compact VS HSQLDB

Compare Microsoft SQL Server Compact VS HSQLDB and see what are their differences

Microsoft SQL Server Compact logo Microsoft SQL Server Compact

Bring Microsoft SQL Server 2017 to the platform of your choice. Use SQL Server 2017 on Windows, Linux, and Docker containers.

HSQLDB logo HSQLDB

hsqldb: Full-featured 100% Java ORDBMS
  • Microsoft SQL Server Compact Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-26
  • HSQLDB Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-26

Microsoft SQL Server Compact features and specs

  • Lightweight and Portable
    Microsoft SQL Server Compact is a lightweight database solution that can be easily deployed with applications, making it ideal for desktop, mobile, and small-scale web applications.
  • In-Process Database Engine
    The database engine runs within the application process, which eliminates the need for a separate server, reducing system complexity and resource usage.
  • Zero-configuration Needed
    SQL Server Compact requires no installation or configuration, which simplifies deployment for developers and end users alike.
  • Free to Use
    It is free, which makes it a cost-effective solution for small projects or for inclusion in commercial and non-commercial applications.
  • Integration with Visual Studio
    Offers seamless integration with Microsoft Visual Studio, providing an easy-to-use development experience for .NET developers.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft SQL Server Compact

  • Limited Features
    It lacks some advanced features found in other editions of SQL Server, such as stored procedures, triggers, and advanced security features, which may be necessary for more complex applications.
  • Not Suitable for Large Applications
    Designed for smaller, single-user applications, SQL Server Compact is not suitable for large, multi-user, or distributed database scenarios.
  • End of Life Considerations
    With advancements in other Microsoft data solutions and no major updates being released for SQL Server Compact, developers may need to consider future migration strategies.
  • Limited Storage Capacity
    The maximum database size is constrained, limiting its ability to handle extensive data storage needs.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Being an older technology, it might face compatibility issues with newer technologies and platforms.

HSQLDB features and specs

  • Lightweight
    HSQLDB is a lightweight database solution, making it easy to embed in Java applications without the overhead of larger database systems.
  • In-Memory Operation
    It supports in-memory tables which provides extremely fast processing for applications where data persistence is not required.
  • Rich SQL Support
    HSQLDB offers a broad range of SQL syntax and functions, providing a robust querying capability, including stored procedures, triggers, and views.
  • Highly Compatible
    Designed around the SQL-92 standard, ensuring compatibility with other SQL databases and making it easier for developers to transition.
  • Open Source
    Distributed under a BSD license, it is free to use and modify, which is ideal for organizations looking for a cost-effective database solution.
  • Multi-Platform
    Being Java-based, HSQLDB is inherently cross-platform and can be run on any system that supports Java.

Possible disadvantages of HSQLDB

  • Limited Scalability
    Not designed for very large databases or high-volume transactional systems, thus not suitable for applications requiring significant scalability.
  • Basic Management Tools
    HSQLDB's toolset for database management and administration is less comprehensive than those of major relational database systems.
  • Concurrency Limitations
    It has limited support for concurrent access compared to more robust database management systems, impacting performance in multi-user environments.
  • Lesser Known
    HSQLDB is not as widely adopted or as heavily marketed as some alternative database solutions, which might result in a smaller community for support and resources.
  • Limited Ecosystem
    There is a smaller ecosystem of third-party tools and extensions available for HSQLDB compared to more popular database systems like MySQL or PostgreSQL.

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft SQL Server Compact and HSQLDB)
Databases
55 55%
45% 45
NoSQL Databases
58 58%
42% 42
Development
53 53%
47% 47
Data Integration
66 66%
34% 34

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, HSQLDB seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft SQL Server Compact mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft SQL Server Compact yet. Tracking of Microsoft SQL Server Compact recommendations started around Mar 2021.

HSQLDB mentions (5)

  • Huly – Open-Source All-in-One Project Management Platform
    If you need a database that you can embed in Java, have a look at: H2: https://www.h2database.com/html/main.html HSQLDB: https://hsqldb.org/ Apache Derby: https://db.apache.org/derby/ Though those would certainly be a bit niche approaches, so you'll find that there are fewer examples of using either online. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • From BotFather to 'Hello World'
    Implementing a database is out of scope for this guide, however, several guides are available online for simple embedded open source software solutions like SQLite, HyperSQL, Derby, and many more. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • what book does the university of the people use to teach computer systems?
    Database I and II use a LOT of books (with the premeditated intent to drown you) here is the list from DB2 for example:Sharma, N., Perniu, L., Chong, R.F., Iyer, A., Nandan, C., Mitea, A.C., Nonvinkere, M., & Danubianu, M. (2010). Database Fundamentals (1st ed.). Markham, ON: IBM Corporation.Silberschatz, A., Korth, H.F., & Sudarshan, S. (2001). Database System Concepts (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.Din,... Source: over 2 years ago
  • I have to use libre base to merge 2 tables into a report and I don't know how
    Base uses hsqldb, http://hsqldb.org/, in their documentation you can find examples of SQL statements. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Trying to scrape a subscription study book
    A capturing proxy such as OWASP ZAP will save every byte into a HyperSQL database, although it can be a PITA to deal with the certs. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft SQL Server Compact and HSQLDB, you can also consider the following products

CompactView - Viewer for Microsoft® SQL Server® CE database files (sdf)

Realm.io - Realm is a mobile platform and a replacement for SQLite & Core Data. Build offline-first, reactive mobile experiences using simple data sync.

UnQLite - UnQLite is a in-process software library which implements a self-contained, serverless...

ObjectBox - ObjectBox empower edge computing with an edge device database and synchronization solution for Mobile & IoT. Store and sync data from edge to cloud.

NuoDB - A scale-out SQL database for global operations

VoltDB - In-memory relational DBMS capable of supporting millions of database operations per second