What is the RapidDB system?

RapidDB overview

The RapidDB system was created to simplify application development within Tiger Computer Services Ltd. The system had simple goals;

• generic access to multiple databases from the same source code
• universal data types for use on any of the multiple databases
• support for SQL Server 2000, Access (.mdb), SQL Server CE
• automated source code generation
• support C# and VB.NET on desktop and compact framework
• provide XML serialisation ready for web service use
• automated code generation for web service access

Business case

For some time there was a desire for the creation of a generic data access solution which could switch between various database systems using a single set of data access class libraries. The initial database systems targetted were SQL Server 2000, SQL Server CE 2.0 and Microsoft Access (.mdb).

These auto generated data access class libraries would be capable of being exposed or consumed via web services, and support data synchronisation between different data stores.

The system was always aimed at synchronising data between SQL Server and handheld devices running Windows CE via web services. All components, both on the server and the PDA, would utilise a single data access code base.

Suprisingly, the first real use came from developing web-based applications. These applications would utilise MSDE (SQL Server 2000) when deployed, but used Microsoft Access for demonstrating prototypes at www.tigernews.co.uk. With no difference in business logic this switch was easy to achieve.

Once the very real application Niagara SMS was created, database support was extended to MySql 4.1 and IBM DB2. Support for a new database system within Niagara SMS took around two man days for each database server. In addition the auto generated class libraries are also now 'Oracle 9i ready' in regard to the handling of identity columns.