“Performance comparable to commercial databases — and
prices 100 percent lower.“
“There are at least two dozen open source relational database
management systems (RDBMSs) available for Linux, plus a number of
components for building your own. They range from full-featured,
full-power systems that rival the market leaders in features and
performance, to small, specialized databases designed for specific
jobs, such as Web serving. Some are one-person labors of love. Some
are the results of years of intensive work by development teams
scattered around the world. Some are the products of commercial
enterprises that have seen the open source light.”
“All this is wonderful, but are they really being used — or are
they even useful?”
“The answer to both questions is “yes,” though a lot more
resoundingly so to the first question than the second. While Linux
itself and open source projects like the Apache Web server have
made major inroads into the enterprise, open source databases are
hardly a blip on anyone’s radar screen. Even enterprises that have
no qualms about using Linux or deploying Apache Web servers often
hesitate when it comes to an open source RDBMS.”
“The problem is apparently a combination of uncertainty about
the capabilities of open source products and fear of inadequate
support. Perhaps the best way to sum the situation up is to say
that there isn’t the sort of comfort with open source databases
that there is with other open source products.”