Is Jet database engine included in Windows xp, vista and Windows7?

Question

I need a data store for single-user, read-only access. I need multiple tables, but not related. I also need to do two-column indexing. Seems like Jet is a good choice. Front end will be either VB or C#. The data is not user-entered data, but meta data about users and external files. What are the deployment issues for Jet -is it built into all Windows OS versions from xp onward? I plan on including the Access Database in the resource file.

Answer 1

MS Jet 4.0/DAO 3.6 are part of the operating system and are in Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. They are updated by Windows Update and the security patches are applied as appropriate.

Alternatively to including the MDB file in the resource file you could build it if it isn't present. See the TempTables.MDB page at my website which illustrates how to use a temporary MDB in your app.

You can also use the Compare'Em utility to keep the database files tables, fields, indexes and relationships updated as you upgrade your app.

Answer 2

See why-should-i-use-sqlite-over-a-jet-database, and try both.