I'm starting up a website which will rely heavily on the database - it's kind of like a social-networking type site. Before I begin creating the database, I'm not sure where to create it in. MySQL? SQL Server? Access (is that even an option?)? Something else? I'm currently looking for a free or low-cost option (i.e. not $20k Oracle ). This may be a stupid question, but if I choose SQL Server or Access, how do I go about getting the database online for me to query to from the site? If I choose MySQL, is there is a visual way to create the database that I'm not aware of (and im not aware of much, apparently, with MySQL). By visual way I mean not typing out CREATE tables in notepad and importing them :-p Thanks for any help you can provide me!
I suggest you to go for Mysql, you can get support for it on the web. Oracle db is not supported by all the hosts.
Use whatever database system you are most comfortable with. If your only experience is using visual tools such as that available with Access, then you don't need to worry. Access may not be the best option because the Jet drivers aren't supported well with Server 2008; mostly because MS would prefer you used SQL 2005 or SQL 2008. The Express versions of both of these DB servers are free to install and use, and there are plenty of visual management tools available. If you create the DB files using these versions they will be able to be uploaded to a host using a paid-for version. If you do opt from MS SQL server then you will need to use a Windows Host. MySQL also has visual tools available. Online this is most likely to be through PHPMyAdmin, but if you install MySQL locally then there are free MySQL Management tools you can download that will provide a visual interface. MySQL is likely to be available from most hosting companies irrespective of what hosting platform they use - Linux-based or Windows-based - so your choice of hosts will be larger. Note: develop your application locally BEFORE loading it to your chosen host. Most hosts do not take kindly to you using their hosting platform as a development/testing platform unless you have your own VPS or Dedicated Server.
You should go for MySQL, its easy and cheap. There is plenty of visual tools available for MySQL. Here is a list of famous MySQL GUIs both web based and desktop applications.
Just based on what your anticipated usage is, I would direct you to MySQL or PostreSQL. Both are free, well supported, and offer excellent scalability. As to your visual requirements, you can use something like Navicat which offers MySQL and Postgre versions. It's not exactly like access, but offers a clean way to create, manage, organize, etc.. a database. Realistically, you will most likely need to learn quite a bit more about DB management and optimization, as your usage may quickly outgrow any pre-configured setup. Access would be completely unsuitable for this, unless you only plan on having a handful of users.
Thank you for all the responses! Looks like i'll go with MySQL, looking into the applications for it now