Blog: Pete Loshin

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Database Upgrade Time

All kinds of new database software is coming out lately. You've probably heard about the release (finally) of Microsoft's SQL 2005. From what I've read, it's only a couple of years late, and still missing some key features, such as the ability to do database mirroring for automatic backup, at least according to this Computerworld article. Even so, will MSSQL 2005 be eating Oracle's lunch by next year? There is plenty of competition, free and not free.

If you want commercial database software without paying for it you can download one of Microsoft's two no-charge versions of SQL Server 2005. SQL Server 2005 Express Edition is limited to databases up to 4 gigabytes on single-CPU systems with no more than 1 GB of RAM. Or register to download SQL Server 2005 Trial Software for a 180-day timed trial. No Linux versions are available.

Meanwhile, you can also get free software from Oracle: Database 10g Express Edition (Oracle Database XE) does come in Linux or Windows flavors, but with the same limitations as Microsoft's SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.

Oracle and Microsoft both offer these entry level databases at no charge, and will allow redistribution as well, but they aren't "free" or "open" in the sense of open source software because you can't see or modify the source code.

So for a real open source database, MySQL AB rolled out MySQL 5.0 a couple of weeks ago.

And the other major open source database project, PostgreSQL also rolled out an update, PostgreSQL 8.1, last week.

The big question is this: Will the no-charge entry level databases from Microsoft and Oracle help them capture customers who would otherwise opt for open source software? Or will their no-cost offerings undercut their own commercial versions?

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