Is it possible to use Firebird Embedded for small number of users

Question

I am using Firebird on Windows (Delphi 2010 developed Application).

Is it possible to use Firebird Embedded for small number of users?

http://www.firebirdsql.org/manual/fbmetasecur-embedded.html

If we have our application with embedded firebird on a single machine (on a LAN), could multiple users (12-25) use it. Each machine running the app, pointing to the firebird database embedded with the app on the single machine? Sharing the same database?

Or is the embedded version 1 user only?

Answer 1

Starting with Firebird 2.5 multiple Firebird embedded users can connect to the same database file simultaneously.

Answer 2

Although the Firebird 2.5 allows multiple applications on a single machine to access a single database file with embedded, this should not be done for multiple users accessing a single database file over a LAN with embedded.

It could easily lead to corruption of the database due to sharing and locking problems. If you want to access a Firebird database over the network: use Firebird server. It is easier, most likely more performant and it won't corrupt your database file.

You don't even need a server system to run it, depending on your exact needs and load, a normal desktop machine should be enough.

Answer 3

Why not use standard (not embedded) version? It is very lightweight.