Take an Open Source Database Survey

LewisC's An Expert's Guide To Oracle Technology

Do you know which open source feature is the most important? Do you know which open source database rocks and which one sucks? Is MySQL better than Postgres? Is Ingres worth considering? How does Firebird compare? Have you used, or have you considered using, an open source database?

Take a survey. It's only 15 questions so it takes just a few minutes.

I'll post a link where you can get the results once they have been compiled and prepared.

BTW, this isn't my survey. I'm just passing on the link.

LewisC

My New DB GUI

I've been playing with various GUIs off and on over the last couple of months. I find that I drop to mysql.exe quite often no matter which tool I use. My favorites until recently have been the MySQL GUI Tools and NaviCat.

I was using the Lite edition of Navicat. I actually started using navicat with postgres a few years ago. I like it but the lite version is limited in some annoying ways. It's nice in that it runs (at least the mysql version) in Linux and windows. I don't use a mac so that doesn't really do anything for me.

Of course the MySQL gui tools run just about anywhere.

I just remembered that Quest Software has a mysql tool called TOAD for MySQL. I have been a user of TOAD for Oracle for well over a decade. I started using it before Quest owned it.

TOAD started at the Tool for Oracle Application Developers. So calling it Tool for Oracle Application Developers for MySQL sounds kind of stupid. ;-)

TOAD is still the most advanced gui tool for Oracle. I have started using Oracle's SQL Developer and it's a nice tool but TOAD still has it beat on a feature and performance basis right now.

Anyway, my point with all of this is that TOAD for MySQL is now my preferred tool. It is completely free although it runs only on windows. It has the most advanced feature set of any of the database tools I've been using recently.

In addition to MySQL and Oracle, it also supports MS SQL Server, DB2 and Sybase. If they came out with a Postgres version it would be a complete set.

The query builder and erd tool are highly functional. When I am new to an application, the first thing I look for is an ERD. Most MySQL applications do not have one available (at least in my experience). So, I start off by building one.

The schema browser also blows away the competition. Grid view and edit with out the pain of separate pop up windows. very nice. You can also see all of the databse objects.

My suggestion, when you install, choose the TOAD for Oracle view. If you prefer an explorer view, choose the SQL Navigator view.

Give it a try. You can read my initial review (kind of old now though).

LewisC

MySQL vs Postgres Wiki

There is a new wiki comparing MySQL to PostgreSQL. Because it's a wiki, hopefully it can be kept updated so that it's current AND accurate. The wiki is MySQL vs PostgreSQL. Personally, I'd like to see this grow into a universal comparison site that the community could keep updated. LewisC

Sun Buys MySQL for $1 Billion!

Holy simoleans, Batman. I wake up this morning, write a nice little Oracle tip and then next thing I see is Josh's post about Sun->MySQL. That was totally unexpected to me. I browsed over to PlanetMySQL to get the scoop and what do I see, Sun buys MySQL for $1 billion to take centerstage in the web economy. I don't often agree with Matt but on this topic, I think I have to. This just makes a lot of sense for everyone involved. Sun, MySQL and MySQL users. The first post I saw that shows concern about Sun's Postgres support is this one from the 451 Group, Sun acquiring MySQL for $1bn. That post led me to Jonathan Schwartz's blog. I love his post title, Helping Dolphins Fly. Jonathan always sounds pumped but this blog entry makes him sound ecstatic. I have not been impressed with many Sun decisions over the last couple of years but I have to admit, this is a big one. I think it's a good direction. If you want to read the press release and get some of the details, you can do so at MySQL AB. Lot's of changes this year, I think. LewisC

My Book Has Been Printed

Well, it's taken over a year but it has finally arrived. I started writing the book back in Aug 2006. I finished in late Jan 2007 and the technical editor finished his work in March. Now, In Jan 2008, EnterpriseDB: The Definitive Reference is available. I'm glad I didn't wait for the movie. ;-) It's kind of ironic. Just this morning, I posted that I am working on my second book. My wife called me at work and told me two boxes of books had arrived. 2008 is turning out to be a good year. I wonder if I should start planning my MySQL book? Anyway, the book looks good. I've already found a few typos and grammar errors just skimming around. I like the font and the pages look really crisp. All in all, I have to say I am very happy that the book is out. Check out some photos: I think I want to give a couple away. Maybe some kind of contest for the blog readers. Any ideas of something fair? I am willing to pay shipping for a couple but that would only be here in the US. Overseas shipping gets expensive. LewisC

MySQL Adds XML and XPath Support

I was browsing around the web and ran across this article at xml.com, XML Moves to mySQL. Being a heavy XML user, I had to read the article. It looks like MySQL is expanding the built-in support for XML.

This article isn't very detailed but it links to Using XML in MySQL 5.1 and 6.0 at mySQL.com which is very detailed.

I like the ability that is built in to support loading XML from files. That's a feature I wish Oracle would work on. Even in 11g, that functionality is still limited.

MySQL also adds ExtractValue() and UpdateXML() support. If you're manipulating XML much, you know that these two functions are needed.

From what I know of MySQL and what I read here, MySQL is just getting started with XML support. This article points out some baby steps on the road to XML maturity. You have to start somewhere and I am glad MySQL is adding this.

LewisC

Google Contributes to MySQL

According to this article in ComputerWorld, MySQL to get injection of Google code. Google has signed an agreement to contribute to MySQL (oddly enough called a contributer license agreement) and will contribute source code for a variety of technical items. In a way, this can be considered a very strong endorsement of MySQL by Google. Google even has an engineer dedicated to working with MySQL and the MySQL development team. I didn't realize that Google was such a heavy user of MySQL. Google will contribute some code related to replication and monitoring. Also noted in the article is that MySQL, in the future of course, will support role based security and even Transparent Data Encryption (TDE). TDE is a big selling point for financial companies and other companies heavily regulated by privacy concerns. TDE puts the burden of encryption on the database instead of on the developer. Oracle has had it since 10g. Some good info in the article. Check it out! LewisC