Open Source Database Articles

Open Source Databases

1. The Open Source Database Benchmark
   Featuring ports to DataBlitz and Oracle, as well as a preliminary Perl implementation, this is the best iteration of OSDB yet! This version of OSDB can
   * Skip tests that are inappropriate for the database engine, with the --restrict switch
   * Run under MPI, for true cluster and multiprocessor benchmarks New results have been posted in the expected/ directory, suggesting useful ways of invoking OSDB. Barring results to the contrary in the next couple of weeks, this will soon be the new "stable" version of OSDB.
   
2. Open Source Databases: A brief look
   This month I take a brief look at Open Source Database Management Systems. I do not aim to find the 'best' one, or perform an in-depth feature-by-feature analysis, but rather a introduce you to the variety of solutions out there. I am presuming readers of my columns by now already have an understanding of what Open Source is, and why one would use it. If not, see the resources at the end of the article. So which are the Open Source databases? Most readers have probably heard of MySQL. Its byline is The World's most popular Open Source database after all. Unlike most of the others listed here, Berkeley DB is not a full DBMS, complete with graphical reporting tools and the like. It does not even contain a query-processing layer. Instead, it is a lightweight embedded relational storage engine, meant for applications that do not require a separate DBMS installation. Users of MySQL have the option to use the Berkeley DB storage engine
   
3. Open-source databases gaining favor
   The open-source database MySQL grew rapidly in popularity over the last year, according to results from a survey released Monday by research company Evans Data. Usage of MySQL for developing applications rose 30 percent over the past year, while usage of Microsoft's SQL Server and Access databases increased 6 percent, according to the survey of 550 developers conducted last month. Overall Microsoft's products continue to dominate the database development market. But open-source software's price and its ability to integrate with other software mesh well with the priorities of application developers, said Evans Data analyst Joe McKendrick. Programmers often select a single database for both application development and deployment.
   
4. Open-Source Database Technologies Flourish at LinuxWorld
   Microsoft can snipe all it wants at the TCO and security of open source, but a flood of database-, BI- and data-center-related news coming out of LinuxWorld means one thing: Linux has drilled so far down into overall IT frameworks that it's simply another option on the short list.
   Commercialization of open source is one trend evident at LinuxWorld Conference & Expo and it's being reflected big-time in database-centric offerings. We're seeing the notion that open-source products have a very, very viable business model and have established themselves as credible players," said Steve O'Grady, an analyst at RedMonk. While they don't play in exactly the same markets and don't compete feature-to-feature with proprietary [solutions], there's a sizable market that's not interested in all the bells and whistles included with proprietary vendors.
   
   
5. Open-Source Databases Hike Enterprise Appeal
   The creators of the open-source databases MySQL and PostgreSQL are trying to push them further into the enterprise with new features aimed at better support for transactions, database recovery and replication. MySQL AB's MySQL 4.0, expected to be released as a stable version by year's end, provides the InnoDB transaction storage engine that includes row-level locking. Coming in Version 4.1 early next year will be the ability to handle stored procedures and triggers. MySQL 5.0, due late next year, will add more advanced management tools and replication as well as speed improvements, said Marten Mickos, CEO of MySQL, in Uppsala, Sweden. Separately, developers of PostgreSQL, which has transactional capabilities, are working to add support for distributed databases. That support as well as new replication capabilities are likely to be available in the next year or two, according to Thomas Lockhart, a member of the Postgre SQL steering committee and a director at Postgre- SQL Inc., one of many companies providing the PostgreSQL database.
   
6. Open Source databases rounded up and rodeod
   you could be forgiven for not knowing about the storm of activity in the database market this season. You would have to have read several dozen articles, press releases, and have followed the right bloggers to track all the strategic acquisitions, new releases, and defensive posturing And even so you might still be wondering what it all means. But help is here in the form of a guide to open source database companies and what they've been up to. You may first wonder what's so interesting about open source databases. Isn't all the open source fun and action happening with Linux and Apache? Hardly! After many years of hard work and little attention, these open source databases are starting to have a noticeable impact on the largest database companies. Company activity in the database sector is really heating up.
   
7. SQL Server 2005 leaves open source databases
   Sean McCown isn�t afraid of controversy. He assured me of that when I interviewed him last week in preparation for this column. So when the InfoWorld contributing editor referred to DBAs (database administrators) who favor open source databases as �tree huggers� who don�t want to pay for commercial software, I can only assume he knew what he was in for. SQL Server�s prime competitor, Oracle, has held an edge among the largest enterprises, which demand bulletproof disaster recovery and zero downtime. With this release, Microsoft has caught up. Along with major changes to the code itself, McCown points out, the new SQL Server brings one other advantage to the party: .Net.
   .Net gives SQL Server a huge piece of new functionality,� McCown says. �Oracle has Java, which extends its functionality by providing direct access to system and network resources.� .Net performs the same function for SQL Server, effectively closing that loop on Oracle. �The open source guys can�t even begin to touch that,� he adds.
   
8. Open source databases are ripe for acquisition
   The courtship of open source database vendor MySQL by Oracle, as well as MySQL's rejection of those advances, is only the beginning of another interesting year for databases. Analysts predict that the $300 million open source database market is going to continue to grow rapidly. Forrester Research Inc.'s analyst Noel Yuhanna projects that mission-critical deployments of open source databases will increase by 20% this year. It is that growth that Yuhanna believes will drive the OSS database market from $300 million now to the $1 billion mark by 2008. Most importantly, analysts say, this segment is being taken seriously by proprietary database vendors attracted to making open source technology part of their own product offerings. Oracle Corp. is only one of the Big Three database vendors that is contemplating big buys in open source database space, industry analysts say. Microsoft and IBM have sizeable war chests with which to buy market share, and vendors like EnterpriseDB, MySQL and Ingres Corp. could provide it. Whether they follow Oracle's lead or invest in other ventures remains to be
   seen.
   
9. The database the open source community
   A week or so ago I was chatting with a friend about a meeting I had scheduled for the following morning. I said I'd be speaking with a guy whose company markets a commercial database product built around open source software. A cynic, my friend was half serious. And yet, when I met with Andy Astor the next morning, he didn't seem like a parasite. I believe that open source software changes everything about enterprise applications," Astor says. "It is as fundamental a shift in enterprise applications as the Internet was or as XML was. It is at that level of importance. Exactly how it pans out, nobody knows, and exactly what the business models are, nobody knows. EnterpriseDB approach represents something of a middle ground. At the heart of the EnterpriseDB product is PostgreSQL, a mature open source database. Astor's company provides support, but it also adds something extra: an engine that lets PostgreSQL understand Oracle's (Profile, Products, Articles) PL/SQL dialect of the SQL language.
   
10. Open-source databases find their place in the enterprise
    The sales pitch for EnterpriseDB (EDB) is pretty simple: it's an enterprise-class relational database management system (RDBMS) based on twenty years of open-source development, compatible with Oracle - and costing a fraction of the price of a commercial system. EDB is based on the BSD-licensed database PostgreSQL, widely considered the most advanced open-source DBMS around, with the addition of commercial features such as Oracle compatibility and enterprise-level support. If the business model sounds familiar, that's because it's the same idea with which Linux distributors and companies such as MySQL have already found success. It was just a matter of time before PostgreSQL got the same treatment, say industry observers. Regardless of EDB's eventual success or failure, the staggering prices of commercial DBMS and the existence of high-quality open source databases mean the opportunity is there, analysts say.
    
11. Java. net: An Open Source Database Benchmark
    PolePosition is an open source Java framework for benchmarking databases. The impetus behind PolePosition came from the observation that developers evaluating candidate databases for future applications often resorted to constructing ad hoc benchmarks rather than using "canned" benchmark tests (or relying on vendor-provided data). This is entirely understandable; to properly evaluate a database for a specific project, you would want to exercise that database in ways that correspond to the application's use of it. Put another way, if the target application will use the database in read-only fashion, you'll have little interest in a benchmark that runs the database through write operations. PolePosition was designed with just such people in mind. Using the metaphor of a series of automobile race courses ("Circuits"), PolePosition provides a structure that simplifies the three primary tasks that a database benchmark developer might face: building the tests, adding database drivers, and reporting results.
    
12. Analysis: Open source databases
    Many enterprise software users and vendors have made significant commitments to open source technologies. Projects such as the Linux operating system, Apache Web server, and the Perl programming language, have proven themselves as viable alternatives to equivalent commercial offerings. But what about the tools used to hold core information assets? Are open source databases ready for the enterprise?
    Until recently, databases have been a relative unknown amongst open source software. However, the increasing adoption of open source database technology by well-known multinational organisations has led to more enterprise recognition and hence consideration. There are many open source databases with different features of which MySQL and PostgreSQL are the best known.
    
13. Open source database firm gets webMethods infusion
    The ex-webMethods crew at PostgreSQL database start-up EnterpriseDB has added to their numbers with a fresh board appointment. Web
    Methods board member Jack Lewis has been elected to the EnterpriseDB board to bring 35-years' experience in legal and business development to the young company. Lewis joins webMethods founder and former chief executive Phillip Merrick on the EnterpriseDB board, along with former webMethods vice president Andy Astor who is EnterpriseDB founder and CEO. In a statement, Merrick called Lewis a "great strategist and insightful industry observer." Lewis' experience spans business development, from start-up to IPO and beyond, while Lewis also runs a law practice where he advises technology and e-commerce clients about technology protection, licensing, raising capital and M&A.
    
14. MySQL Leads In Open Source Databases
    MySQL continues to have the largest mind share in the industry, and with the release of version 5 last year, it has narrowed its functional gap with Ingres and PostgreSQL, projects that offer the most comprehensive database features. With MySQL becoming more aggressive in churning out new releases, unless Ingres focuses on innovation, MySQL could potentially overtake Ingres to claim the top spot in the feature and functionality race. MySQL has broad support for transactional applications and embedded databases, especially for in-memory databases, but it lags in data warehousing, lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) integration, and programmability features.
    
15. Open source databases - a sword that cuts both ways
    The first thing to decide is the areas in which open source is to be deployed. Does this only apply to Linux and network servers or does it extend to application servers, databases and development environments? In each case, you also need to decide which open source products you are going to endorse from a strategic perspective. If we take the open source database market as an example, we have MySQL, PostgreSQL (both generically and from Pervasive), Ingres, Firebird, Max DB, Cloudscape, the putative Sun DB (possibly), HSQLDB and a bunch of others. Now, some of these are niche products but, even so, there are too many of them. Not all of the companies involved will be able to make enough money out of these products to stay in business. That means that at some point in the future the market will consolidate and a number of these products will disappear. This may not matter too much if the products are not that important to you, but it certainly does if they are strategic.

Open Source Java Database

1. An Open Source Java Database
   One$DB is an Open Source version of Daffodil DB, our commercial Java Database. One$DB is a standards based (JDBC 3.0 and SQL 99 compliant), platform independent, footprint size database that can be embedded into any application and requires zero or minimal administration. Daffodil DB is the first Java database that has shown the capability to take on enterprise databases with its high performance in real time environments, Compiere compatibility being the best example so far. One$DB is exactly the same as Daffodil DB barring a few features and has been made available in both Embedded and Network editions.
   
2. Open Source Database
   One$DB is an Open Source version of Daffodil DB, our commercial Java Database. One$DB is a standards based (JDBC 3.0 and SQL 99 compliant), platform independent, footprint size database that can be embedded into any application and requires zero or minimal administration. One$DB is has been made available in both Embedded and Network editions . Few key features of One$DB are:
   1. Stored Procedures
   2. MVCC
   3. Triggers
   4. Views
   
3. Sun Releases Open-Source Java Database
   Sun Microsystems Inc. announced a move into the database world with the release of Java DB, a distribution of the Apache Derby open-source database technology. During a keynote at the Apache Software Foundation's ApacheCon in San Diego, Tim Bray, director of Web Technologies at Sun and XML specification co-editor, said Sun was incorporating the open-source Java DB into the Sun Java Enterprise System and providing additional support for the database with the NetBeans IDE (integrated development environment) 5.0 plug-in.
   
4. IBM to Release Java Database to Open-Source Group
   IBM has bequeathed to the open-source movement something it desperately needs: a full-featured, enterprise-ready Java database. The embeddable database, acquired when IBM purchased Informix in 2001, represents a sizable slice—$85 million—of the $1 billion IBM paid for Informix. The full-featured Java database is the first full, commercial product donated to open source, and definitely the first fully functional Java database—something sorely needed in that community, said Paul Rivot, director of Database Servers and Business Intelligence at IBM.
   
5. Open Source Native XML Database
   eXist is an Open Source native XML database featuring efficient, index-based XQuery processing, automatic indexing, extensions for full-text search, XUpdate support and tight integration with existing XML development tools. The database implements the current XQuery 1.0 working draft as of November, 2003 (for the core syntax, some details already following later versions), with the exception of the XML schema related features.
   
   
6. An Open Source Database Benchmark
   PolePosition is an open source Java framework for benchmarking databases. The impetus behind PolePosition came from the observation that developers evaluating candidate databases for future applications often resorted to constructing ad hoc benchmarks rather than using "canned" benchmark tests (or relying on vendor-provided data). This is entirely understandable; to properly evaluate a database for a specific project, you would want to exercise that database in ways that correspond to the application's use of it. Put another way, if the target application will use the database in read-only fashion, you'll have little interest in a benchmark that runs the database through write operations.
   
7. Sun plugs in open-source Java database
   Sun Microsystems said, it is now distributing an open-source Java database within its Java server software products. In addition, Sun said it has created a plug-in which will allow the database to work closely with Sun's NetBeans open-source development tool. Sun began committing engineers to the Apache Derby project, which IBM started with the donation of an embedded Java database. The Sun-supported version of that database is called open Java DB. Sun uses it in the latest version of its Java Enterprise System suite.
   
8. IBM to make Java database open source
   The move to make its database products open source deepens IBM's commitment to the open-source development model. With its multibillion-dollar investment in Linux, Big Blue is credited with having made open-source technology more palatable to corporate customers. The decision to release Cloudscape into open source mimics moves by other proprietary software companies, which have created open-source projects around existing products in an effort to generate more interest in the product and make it easier for programmers to access it.
   
9. Perst Embedded Database
   Thank you for your interest in McObject's Perst embedded database, an open source, object oriented database for Java and .NET. Perst is distinguished by its ease in working with Java and C# objects, exceptional transparent persistence, and suitability for aspect-oriented programming with tools such as AspectJ and JAssist. Perst is small footprint imposes minimal demand on system resources.
   
10. Sun adds support for open-source Java database
    Java DB, the Sun-supported version of the Apache Derby Project Java database, will now be used as the application-embedded and Java developer database for Java Enterprise System Release 4. Java DB has been incorporated into Sun's Java System Portal Server 7.0 for data storage and is used as the development database in all Sun Java System Application Servers.
    
11. Building an Open Source J2EE Weblogger
    As a Java developer, you should be aware of the tremendous wealth of open source development software that is available for your use -- even if you have no desire to release any of your own software as open source. In this article, I will introduce you to some of the most useful open source Java development tools by showing you how I used these tools to develop a complete database-driven Web application called Roller.
    
12. Perst, Open Source Embedded Database for Java, Released
    McObject LLC has released Perst v2.64, an open source, object-oriented embedded database for Java that offers transparent persistence and ease in working with objects.Perst's fundamental achievement lies in making persistent Java objects as efficient and easy to use as possible. In most cases, Perst automatically loads the persistent objects without explicit programmer command. When used with aspect-oriented tools such as AspectJ and JAssist, Perst provides completely transparent persistence.
    
13. JDBC - Java Database Connectivity
    Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) is a programming framework for Java developers writing programs that access information stored in databases, spreadsheets, and flat files. JDBC is commonly used to connect a user program to a "behind the scenes" database, regardless of what database management software is used to control the database. In this way, JDBC is cross-platform. This article assumes that readers already have a data source established and are moderately familiar with the Structured Query Language (SQL), the command language for adding records, retrieving records, and other basic database manipulations.
    
14. Sun Microsystems Incorporates Open Java DB Into Java Enterprise System
    The latest release of the Sun Java Enterprise System (release 4) now uses the open Java DB as its application-embedded and Java developer database. The open Java DB is incorporated in the Sun Java System Portal Server 7.0 for use in data storage; it is used as well as the development database within all versions of the Sun Java System Application Server, including the open source Project GlassFish.
    
15. McObject Releases Open Source Embedded Database for Java and C#
    McObject has announced its official release of Perst, an open source, object-oriented embedded database for Java and C#. In addition to high performance and a modest footprint, one of Perst's greatest achievements is its tight integration with Java and C#, resulting in exceptional 'transparent persistence' and ease in working with objects in these fast-growing programming languages.
    
16. Database Engines
    To use a database system from Java use the JDBC classes, which allow your program to use either a local data base or one located over the Internet. To package a database engine with your program, you might consider one of the many Java open-source options. Because communication with the database is with a standard protocol (JDBC), Java programs can use databases written in any language, so there is no need to restrict your choices to those written in Java.
    
17. Open Source Native XML Database
    This section provides a quick but broad introduction to the APIs and interfaces provided by eXist. We begin with an overview of how to configure eXist for XQuery to begin creating and executing XQuery scripts for web applications. For this, we look at how eXist uses either the XQueryServlet servlet or XQueryGenerator (Cocoon) to generate output from XQuery scripts.