Is it possible to build this type of database with C#?

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Hi
Please find the following link to a screen shot:

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I know C# can build pretty much anything. However, can C# be used to build a database that:

- Stores images in the way you see on the link (inside a database)
- Retrieve a set of sequence images provided a certain criteria is provided

So I trade the financial markets and would like to build a database that can store information (flash card sequences of trade setups) and retrieve this information in order if I provide it with a certain set of criteria.

So for example, I may have stored 1000's of flashcard sequences for different currency pairs and different trade setups in the database, and I may want to retrieve all the flashcard sequences that are for X trade setup only and a sub criteria of Y. Then the database will filter all this out and only output this.

Can this be done using C#?

Looking forward to your responses.

Thanks.

What I have tried:

I have tried to use MS Access to do something similar which works but it's very basic. Im not sure if I can continue to use MS access to do the above or if C# should be able to do it?

Posted 5-Nov-16 2:52am

Member 12834037

Updated 5-Nov-16 3:17am

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Mehdi Gholam 5-Nov-16 9:01am

C# is a programming language not a database, you can write databases in c# but that is a different matter.

Member 12834037 5-Nov-16 9:21am

Thanks. Yes, I realize C# is a programming language and can be used to develop databases. I should have clarified my question more.

Would it be easier or better to create the database that I want in MS Access or using C#? Obviously it would mean learning C# in more depth. But I am not sure if MS Access can be used to create a rather complicated database like the one I explain above?

Thanks.

Philippe Mori 5-Nov-16 9:57am

Don't expect to be able to do something if you don't learn it first... Learn C#. Learn database. Then solve your problem.

Member 12834037 5-Nov-16 10:24am

Thanks. So you suggest that I learn a database such as MS Access and C# for manipulation. Not Database and VBA?

Philippe Mori 5-Nov-16 11:47am

Well, if your code is simple, VBA might be adequate. I don't know much about VBA. Usually, a langage like VBA would be used to automate some steps that could already be done in some Office applications to make it easier/faster to use.

And effectively, with C#, you can do almost anything.

So you might evaluate if VBA would works first... It would probably be somewhat easier to learn.

Member 12834037 5-Nov-16 12:18pm

Thank you. I will learn C# in that case.

I believe Visual Studio already has capabilities to create a database and allow one to use C# to manipulate as required. Am I correct? This may mean I don't have to use MS Access as well as C#. I can just use Visual studio to do the entire project. Would you agree?

Thanks.

RickZeeland 5-Nov-16 17:17pm

Take a look at this article to learn how to build your own database in C#:
http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/1029838/Build-Your-Own-Database
But it is probably easier, and more flexible, to use a standard database like Access, SQL Server, or PostgreSQL (my favourite).

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OriginalGriff · Answer 1 · 2016-11-05T03:07:00

Solution 1

Access can do what you want. Images can be stored in any database system, and retrieved from C#, but generally speaking I don't recommend it. A better approach is to store the images in a folder, and store the path to the image in the DB - that reduces the size of the DB file dramatically, and means you only have to fetch the actual image data when you need it, which makes things a lot quicker.

Posted 5-Nov-16 3:07am

OriginalGriff

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Member 12834037 5-Nov-16 9:18am

Hey

Thanks a lot for your prompt response.

Do you think MS Access can be used to create the database system that I am looking to create as it appears to be easier to use than other languages or software?

I really like the idea of creating a database and using the image path to avoid taking up too much space.

Looking forward to your response :)

OriginalGriff 5-Nov-16 9:34am

Access is not a "software language" - it's purely a database, and as such you can manipulate it via languages like C#, VB, and C++ (among others)
Is it right for what you want? Well, that really depends on what you want to do with it. If you only ever need one user, then maybe - it's relatively small footprint, and it does work. But if you ever need multiuser (a website for example) then no - you want something like SQL Server or MySql which are designed for multiple simultaneous users.
We have no idea what you are planning on doing with this - so there is no way we can say "this is right" or "this is wrong".

Member 12834037 5-Nov-16 9:46am

I understand Access is just a Database Management System and programming languages can be used to manipulate.

I believe VBA is one of the languages that can be used to automate and manipulate, correct?

Is it possible to use the likes of VBA to not just create buttons but also to create a "slide show effect" of a sequence of images that I retrieve?

Is it possible to create User Forms in Access that allow the user to select exactly what they are looking to retrieve and then the database pulls this information through?

Please excuse my ignorance. I trade the markets and am weak in anything to do with programming / database.

I have an idea how I want my database to be and the next step is finding the right tools to be able to design and implement it.

I accept that I am going to have to learn to program and possibly get good at using a database management system like Access.

Please let me know your thoughts on the above and:

- Is it worth starting with MS Access to create the database and user forms, then using VBA to automate and manipulate?

- Or are there other programming languages you suggest I should learn that will help in designing a database and the GUI for user friendly interaction?

Oh, to make it clear - I do not anticipate rolling this software out to a particular market for sale. It's more personal use and with a few other friends. At least for now. Not sure if that helps in determining which avenue to take..

Look forward to your response.

Thanks.

Philippe Mori 5-Nov-16 10:03am

Well, the choice between storing image in a folder or inside the database has to be done for each application. Usually, you won't load images unless you need them so using a database might not be a performance issue for the application or thumbnail could be created to have a small preview image.

Other consideration are the source of your images or if you are on a server, database size versus disk size as database is often more expansive than regular storage on web servers (shared hosts).