Firebird: DBExpress or native components?

Question

I am starting with Firebird and have found components to access a database by Devart. They offer native components (IBDAC) or DBExpress drivers. (I am using Delphi XE2 Pro which doesn't include Firebird drivers)

I guess native components are a bit faster, but that's not too important for me.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of each approach and why should I choose one over the other?

score 5 · Answer 1 · answered Oct 04 '11 at 11:19

5

Check Anydac. It is universal data access library, but supports most of Firebird specific features including - multiple transactions, database events, services (backup/restore), etc. The performance is very good. Sorry, i cannot imagine dbExpress advantages over Anydac.

answered Oct 04 '11 at 11:19

GeorgeJ

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Using AnyDAC is later simply migrate to other DBMS – Branko Oct 04 '11 at 14:14

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited Oct 09 '12 at 07:38

4

IBdac

your application is tied to firebird
you are familiar with bde or ado
performance
maximal Firebird support

DBexpress

portability (it is easy to port you application to anther database).
upgrade pro edition to enterprise so you can use one supplied by embarcadero.

You can check Devart FAQ.

edited Oct 09 '12 at 07:38

bluish

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answered Oct 04 '11 at 09:25

ae1080

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Thanks for the link. It seems that I get the best of both sides using the UniDAC components instead of IBDAC. Native components but able to use several types of DBs. – Holgerwa Oct 04 '11 at 13:04

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 04 '11 at 11:22

3

FIBPlus and UIB are also good choice

answered Oct 04 '11 at 11:22

Hugues Van Landeghem

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I looked at both, but they do not support XE2 yet. FIBPlus's latest version is for Delphi 2010 and UIB's latest version is for Delphi XE. – Holgerwa Oct 04 '11 at 12:56
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UIB is free. +1 for a free option. – Warren P Oct 04 '11 at 20:33

score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 04 '11 at 08:12

1

Native components can support database specific functions. I've missed event support with DBExpress when using 3rd party driver from Upscene.

DBExpress should make it easier to create database agnostic application, but I've no experience about that.

answered Oct 04 '11 at 08:12

Harriv

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score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 04 '11 at 09:48

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ZEOSlib might be a nice alternative, actively developed and supporting many databases including Firebird.

answered Oct 04 '11 at 09:48

avra

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I downloaded the latest revision from their repository yesterday, but there are files (still) missing in order to install it for Delphi XE2. – Holgerwa Oct 04 '11 at 12:58

Firebird: DBExpress or native components?

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