I am thinking about moving my backend to a different platform than access. Reason being is that access seems to be slow, I suppose too many queries. Also, I believe other options would allow for web hosting.

I am trying to get a grasp on this, and I have a few questions.

I thought I wanted Windows Server, but I just discovered that's an entirely different OS. What is Server, is it a backend?

I believe SQL Server is what I want. Is this an OS too, or just an application? Is this only a backend? Is it similar to designing a backend in Access? Can this be the backend for a website, Access frontend, or smart phone?

Does Wamp server fit into this equation at all? I have it installed already, but don't understand everything it does. There is an option there called MySQL, but doesn't seem to lead to anything like a backend.

Windows Server is an operating system.

SQL Server is NOT an operating system but is a database program (engine, reporting engine, tools).

Windows Server is required to install SQL Server on. SQL Server Express doesn't need Windows Server and can run on normal Windows. SQL Server 2008 can be installed on a regular Windows machine but it isn't going to have the power of an installation on a regular server.

SQL Server 2005 and previous can't be installed on regular Windows and to do so needs the Developer Edition.

Hope that helps.

Thank you for such a quick response!

What of Wamp server?

What of Wamp server?

Never heard of it myself. Maybe someone else will chime in on that one.

Are the queries calculated server side or client side? If it is client side, what why would sql server be faster?

SQL Server processes on the server. When using it with Access it can only process on the server anything that is not including things specific to Access like functions and more. Read this (http://www.sql-server-performance.com/tips/access_sql_p1.aspx) for better information about that.