<quote who="[EMAIL PROTECTED]">
> Not wanting to start another Jihad here, but I want to
> install either PostgreSQL or MySQL on my server.
Erk. This question always gets people's goat. :) You *can't* avoid a bit of
bustling.
> Question is, which is worth putting the effort into -
> indeed, is one better than the other ?
MySQL was designed to fit a specific purpose, and has grown as needs have
changed. PostgreSQL was designed as an acedemic project, and has grown as
database research has changed.
These days, both are moving into similar ground. I personally believe that
PostgreSQL is the better software - I haven't found a circumstance for which
is didn't suit.
Performance is no longer the issue it once was - even Tim Perdue, a long
time MySQL devotee, has written an article showing that PostgreSQL
outperforms MySQL... Sourceforge will be moving to PostgreSQL soon, and will
be better for it.
My old argument is this: PostgreSQL is a database, MySQL is an SQL queryable
datastore. If you want to use database features (as most sites require these
days), use PostgreSQL. If you want a familiar interface to simple datasets,
use MySQL. Portable? PostgreSQL. RAD? MySQL. Yada, yada, yada.
That said, both projects are kicking some serious arse at the moment, and
the competition is really giving the developers a tickle. Like the embedded
systems hoopla, Free Software databases are finally getting the attention
they deserve.
Again, very humbling stuff.
- Jeff
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