As a C# developer, I usually stick with MS Sql Server 2005 for my database needs. However, I'm tempted to dabble with MySql as my web host give me 50 free MySql databases (and only 2 MSSQL databases). I'm not yet sure how easy it is to work with MySQL from .Net 2005 (I'd rather avoid ODBC if possible). I'm concerned about performance issues when compared with MSSql 2005 and .Net's nippy native drivers.
Are there any good GUI Administration tools for MySql (preferably free but not necessarily)?
Are there any .Net developers here who have used MySql?
I've used MySQL with 2003 .NET a while back - utilizing the typical free 50mb of MySQL space which most webhost gives you. If I can recall correctly, it was one big pain in the ass - M$ tends to make things a bit difficult with non-M$ stuff. I went with a webhost that provided MS SQL Server and it was tons smoother (obviously with M$ stuff...).
I have yet to try it out with .net 2005 though, but I hear compatibilty is a lot better than 2003.
Go to www.mysql.com and then to the downloads section.
There is a gui administration tool (Setting up a test database on your home machine should be easy - I've had a couple issues on some machines though).
There is also a query browser tool. A graphical database layout tool is there as well, it is still beta however.
I do not think the visual studio graphical based database designer (the one for setting up connections and data objects) works with mysql databases yet. It is possible to connect in code by howerver - and there are examples of how to do so on the Mysql website forums.
I'm currently using mysql with VB6 and will be upgrading the program to .NET (C# or probably VB) after the initial version is live. I've found mysql to be as fast as oracle and Sql Server. On the features side the triggers and procedures in mysql are not as full featured as those in sql server or oracle but it is a new feature that should expand over time.
Finally for learning time, I spent a couple days getting used to the basics of mysql from sql server, which compares favorably with the couple weeks it took to get comfortable with sql server when I switched over from oracle (switched is not quite right, I use all three for different projects at the moment, mostly mysql now though)
Thanks guys - I appreciate the feedback.
I'm trialing EMS's MySQL Manager at the moment, but it's no SQL Server Managenemnt Studio. I've yet to try to connect or work with the database from C# yet though...