Thanks for the quick response. I did read the quick start guide first
before attempting to use either mode. It is fair to say that these
doc sounds clear to you who had already cross the barrier but may not
be that clear to someone else entirely new to Firebird.

I was in the process of evaluating embedded database engines, namely,
MySQL, SQLite and FIrebird. Within 20 minutes, I was already running
C++ examples that connect to either embedded databases (MySQL and
SQLite). As far as I am concern, the Firbird doc are very much
unclear when it come to setting up and use. The doc paints a very
straight forward picture. I even recall I read something regarding
using the classic database using file that reside in harddisk in the
same local machine, there is no need for networking connection as you
stated.

On the other hand, I had been working with database for the last 20
years from involving all majore commercial databases. If I have
trouble getting started with Simple Stuff, the rest of the new users
will probably have a much more difficult time.

I will give it another couple of hours try tomorrow so I can make the
sound decision to which embedded database engine to use.

jml