Oracle #1 but Postgres Gaining Ground

I just read this in InfoWeek: Database Survey Gives Oracle The Lead In All 13 Categories The survey compared Oracle with DB2, MySQL, Informix Dynamic Server, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and Sybase Advanced Server Enterprise. The significant parts of that are that Postgres was included (we don't see enough of that) and that Postgres performed exceptionally well. Some important quotes:

In a few categories, the open source system, MySQL, trailed most of the five commercial systems with which it was compared. But high user satisfaction in several categories indicates thatSun Microsystems (NSDQ: JAVA) may have gotten its money's worth when it paid $1 billion for the database's parent company, MySQL AB, last month. MySQL was second only to Oracle in multiplatform support, an important factor in hosting Web applications. When it came to the all important "performance" category, it ranked higher than Microsoft SQL Server, Informix, and Sybase.

Is MySQL really supported on more platforms than Postgres?

In scalability, Oracle lead, followed by DB2, then PostgreSQL took over the commanding position of the open source systems, followed by SQL Server, Informix, Sybase, and MySQL.

Oracle lead the security category, with its ability to automatically store data in encrypted form and to maintain an Audit Vault of information drawn from the operating system, database, and any other auditing source. DB2 was number two followed in the third position by PostgreSQL, with its "robust security layer," said Andrews. Number four was SQL Server, followed by Sybase, MySQL and Informix.

Oracle was tops in atomicity, followed by DB2, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Sybase, MySQL and Informix.

An increasingly important category for databases that are intended to serve Web applications is XML data handling. Again, Oracle and SQL Server lead the category, followed by DB2. But the open source systems, MySQL and PostgreSQL made up the sixth and seventh ranks, respectively.

When it comes to management tools that come with the database, Oracle lead, followed by SQL Server, DB2, MySQL, Sybase, and Informix. Bringing up the rear was PostgreSQL. "PostgreSQL, which has a large community of open source developers to create tools for it, does not provide them with the database," the report noted.

All in all, I think those are good numbers for Postgres. The really important thing is getting Postgres out there and making it visible. Articles like this go a long way towards that goal. LewisC

postgresql oracle

Postgres and/or EnterpriseDB User Groups?

Hi all. I'm going to be using Postgres and EnterpriseDB a lot more in the near future. I was wondering if there is a Tampa area, or central Florida, Postgres user group or if there might be interest in starting one. If not, maybe a general database user group. I know the local Oracle user group is very popular (and it's a group I attend and enjoy) and I was hoping to have the same kind of thing for Postgres and EnterpriseDB. I think a general database user group might be a good idea too. It could cover all of the databases and give people who don't normally work with a particular database some exposure to it. For example, I have never worked with SQL Server but wouldn't mind an occasional presentation on SQL Server topics. Any interest in something like this? I don't know how many people in Central Florida read my blog and would be interested in meeting and discussing various databases. Let me know if you are already aware of something like this or would be interested in attending if something was available. Thanks, LewisC

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My Book Has Been Printed

Well, it's taken over a year but it has finally arrived. I started writing the book back in Aug 2006. I finished in late Jan 2007 and the technical editor finished his work in March. Now, In Jan 2008, EnterpriseDB: The Definitive Reference is available. I'm glad I didn't wait for the movie. ;-) It's kind of ironic. Just this morning, I posted that I am working on my second book. My wife called me at work and told me two boxes of books had arrived. 2008 is turning out to be a good year. I'll have some additional news in the near future. Anyway, the book looks good. I've already found a few typos and grammar errors just skimming around. I like the font and the pages look really crisp. All in all, I have to say I am very happy that the book is out. Check out some photos: I think I want to give a couple away. Maybe some kind of contest for the blog readers. Any ideas of something fair? I am willing to pay shipping for a couple but that would only be here in the US. Overseas shipping gets expensive. LewisC

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10 PostgreSQL versus Everything Else Comparisons

Feature comparisons, in addition to being somewhat lame and almost always biased, are very dependent on versions. If you throw in performance considerations, they are also dependent on hardware and configuration. Even so, I like to read comparisons, for historical information if nothing else. Here are some comparisons that I have found. I make no recommendations or even commentary about them. Read through them as if you are a database anthropologist. Dig for the nuggets that increase your existing base of knowledge but remember that a human, probably one with an agenda, put these comparisons together. I have also found that PostgreSQL is most often compared to MySQL and not to one of the large commercial databases such as Oracle or DB2. Update: August 27. A new comparison: PostgreSQL vs Firebird, August 2007 (and hopefully it will remain updated)

1. PostgreSQL or MySQL - Feb 15 2005, a fairly nice comparison actually.
2. PostgreSQL vs. MySQL vs. Commercial Databases: It's All About What You Need - DevX April 12, 2004
3. PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Which is better?, DatabaseJournal Dec 16, 2003
4. PostgreSQL vs. SQL Server: PostgreSQL is right for the Microsoft stack, SearchEntepriseLinux May 15, 2006
5. PostgreSQL vs. Oracle: Users speak out, SeachOracle April 6, 2006
6. PostgreSQL vs MySQL with Rails, June 18, 2005
7. Oracle 10g vs PostgreSQL 8 vs MySQL 5, This one I wrote, Aug 22, 2005
8. Firebird vs Postgres, Forum Post, April 23, 2002
9. PostgreSQL vs. MySQL (Web Techniques, Sep 2001), Dr Dobbs, Jan 1, 2002
10. MySQL vs. PostgreSQL, Aug 9, 2005

Enjoy, LewisC

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Not Much PostgreSQL News Lately

I've been looking. I've been waiting. It's just not out there. At least nothing I found to be particularly interesting. If you hear any good bits, drop me a comment or email me.

I did want to post a link to my article on my Expert's Guide to Oracle though. Some waste of valuable bandwidth posted a ridiculous entry about Oracle and PHP. Hope fully you find it worthy of a read.

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