Hi Mike

Nice article. I don’t think, however, that database file vs. database server is necessarily an either/or situation. IMO there are uses for both and when to use one over another will be situation specific.

I expect in a large number of small to medium size applications the database file would be the best solution. But when one looks at very large apps (e.g. a banking transaction system) then at this time the database server would (probably) be most appropriate.

You're conclusion...

>"So, will Web Services eventually make database servers obsolete? If next generation file based databases are allowed to develop and thrive in the market place under the dominating eyes of the database market leaders who make a pretty penny with their databases servers, I think the answer is clearly "yes."

...must be applied equally to both platforms. If one suggests that future developments could significantly impact upon the power and usability of database file systems then one must also allow for this same possibility to impact upon database servers. In other words, future developments can benefit both in currently unknown ways and therefore we cannot draw a conclusion about these developments to favour one over the other.

For the record - I develop primarily using database file systems and hope, as your article does, that this platform continues to develop and improve.