Database for an embedded system

Question

I'm looking for a very high performance and cheap (hopefully free) database engine to be used on an x86 embedded platform in Windows CE. Can anyone give some suggestions? The important things I'm looking for are:

1. High Performance (for a real-time system)
2. Low cost
3. Usable with Compact .NET framework

Thanks

Answer 1

Given your needs the easiest is likely SQL Server Compact Edition

1. Performance is pretty good.
2. Free
3. Provides good .NET interoperability

SQLite is another option that also meets all of the above. There are numerous tests around that compare the performance of these two under different conditions.