Title: SQL Account Database: Why 'Firebird' is More Stable Than Access

The "Friday Afternoon" Nightmare

Every IT Manager knows the feeling. It’s 4:30 PM on a Friday. A user calls: "I can't save this invoice. It says 'Database Corrupted' and now nobody can log in."

If you are running legacy accounting software based on Microsoft Access (Jet Engine) or purely file-based systems, this is a ticking time bomb. One network glitch, one power surge, and your .mdb or .myo file is toast.

At SQL Account, we often get asked: "Why is SQL Account considered more stable?" The answer lies in the backend engine. SQL Account runs on Firebird SQL. Here is why that matters for your data integrity.

The Core Architecture: Client-Server vs. File-Based

To understand stability, you have to look at where the processing happens.

1. The "File-Based" Risk (Access / Legacy Systems) In older systems, the database sits on the server, but the processing happens on the workstation.

• The Workflow: User A opens an invoice. Their PC "pulls" the data file across the network cable to their local RAM, makes the edit, and "pushes" it back to the server.

• The Danger: If the network cable is unplugged (or WiFi drops) while that data is traveling, the file gets "torn." Half the data is here, half is there.

  Result: Corruption.

2. The "Client-Server" Stability (SQL Account / Firebird) Firebird is a true Relational Database Management System (RDBMS). The processing happens on the server.

• The Workflow: User A clicks "Save." Their PC sends a tiny text request (a SQL statement) to the Server. The Server receives it, writes it to the hard drive locally, and sends back a "Success" message.

• The Safety: The heavy lifting never travels over the wire. If the network drops, the request just fails to reach the server. The database itself is never touched or opened by the client.

  Result: Zero Corruption.

The "Power Cut" Test: ACID Compliance

Firebird SQL is fully ACID compliant (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability). In plain English, this means it follows an "All or Nothing" rule.

Scenario: You are posting a batch of 500 invoices. You are on Invoice #250, and the building loses power.

• In an Access/File-Based System: The system was in the middle of writing. You likely end up with broken links, unbalanced ledgers (Debit doesn't match Credit), and a corrupted index. You have to restore from yesterday’s backup.

• In SQL Account (Firebird): When the server reboots, the database looks at its transaction log. It sees that Transaction #250 was not marked "Committed." It automatically Rolls Back everything to the state before you started. No broken data. No corruption. You just start the batch again.

Scalability: The 2GB Wall

Technical evaluators should also consider the "bloat" factor.

• Access databases tend to become unstable as they approach 1GB - 2GB in size. Performance degrades exponentially (the "Loading Wheel of Death").

• Firebird SQL is designed for enterprise loads. We have Apscom clients with databases exceeding 50GB of historical data, running complex queries with zero performance lag.

The Verdict: Architecture Matters

When you choose accounting software, don't just look at the interface. Look at the engine. If you want a system that requires constant "Compact and Repair" maintenance, stick with the old tools. If you want a system that protects your data integrity even when your hardware fails, you need a true SQL backend.

SQL Account is built on Firebird for a reason: It is bulletproof.

Is your current database showing signs of instability?

Contact us for a technical consultation on migrating to a SQL-based environment.