IMHO, having run all three, I summarize them like this...
MySQL, Postgres
Fast, open source, free. Good for projects, small-medium sized
businesses,
and playing around.
DB2
Good, solid database. Their UI needs work (it's 100% java-based) and it's
significantly more complex (and pricier) than the OpenSource ones.
However,
it IS slower. It can handle MUCH larger datasets. It can be run in a
clustered
environment. It has the robustness for large business, but can be handled
by a
medium sized one.
Oracle
Often referred to as the "Cadillac of Databases," this thing's a beast.
Expect to not
only pay through the nose for it, but also for help/contractors/DBAs to
set it up,
tune it, maintain it, and handle the problems. It -can- be setup by
smaller firms, but
definately do your homework here. Go with someone who's been doing it a
while
and is in the enterprise space you want to be in. It's also got a HUGE
set of
applications and modules that can run on top of the raw database (no one
else really
has this from a single vendor) but that's a whole new can of worms, costs,
problems,
etc.
My personal favorite is DB2. The key to DB2, though, is not the common
sense things
like "do the training classes" and "get a book." The key is in their UI
stuff. Ditch it.
Learn the command lines, the scripting tools, and the database connectivity
stuff. Sure,
you can do simple things with their UI, but it's going to restrict you in a
lot of ways.
DB2 is big enough for "real enterprise work" but small enough not to get out
of hand.
However, DB2 is almost the cost of Oracle (purchasing) but your recurring
costs are
considerably cheaper. Oracle does have the advantage of being "first" and
so the
knowledge base/finding people who know a bit about Oracle is easier, and
they DO have
all of the applications modules which DB2 currently does not have. (Rumors
are that they're
looking at expanding into that realm a little more, but I don't know
anything for sure.)
If you need a consolodated system for the whole company, well, Oracle wins
that hands down.
If you just need a super fast lightweight database, OpenSource.
For everything else, DB2.
And if you need a kick-arse track-anything-anywhere-anyhow system, look at
Camstar Systems,
which will handle backends of both DB2 and Oracle. It's better than the
Oracle MES/tracking modules.
-Szii
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Gardiner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Sommai Fongnamthip" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 3:16 AM
Subject: Re: [PHP-DB] db's war
> Hi,
>
> I'm also very interested in other peoples thoughts and reactions to this.
> We've been hit twofold, we run on SCO which Caldera has now taken over and
> also use Informix which IBM have acquired, whom I'm sure will try to make
us
> move to DB2 at some point.
>
> The other trouble we have is a lot of our programs are written in Informix
> 4GL and so will be a pain to convert. I would have liked to of had a DB
> independent 4GL but this was already in place before I got here. The only
> real other choice like you say is Oracle but I've always heard bad things
> regarding pricing where they are concerned. They had a special offer on
for
> anyone who jumped over two them quickly but I like to 'look before you
leap'
> :)
>
> We plan to start looking at possible alternative's before we're forced to
> change and so would be glad to hear from anyone else who is in the same
boat
> so to speak.
>
> Best Regards,
> - Paul -
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Sommai Fongnamthip" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 2:36 AM
> Subject: [PHP-DB] db's war
>
>
> > hi
> > I'd like to survey php commnunity about how do you think about merge
> > between informix and ibm? Did there remain only 2 major dbms (oracle
and
> > db2)? do you think MySQL will be the leader with next version 4?
> >
> > SF
> >
> >
> > --
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> >
>
>
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