Database vendors eye open-source effect

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My problem with MySQL

I hope one is allowed to make some criticism of an open source product without being labelled a religious fanatic .

I think you take a more reasonable view than some open source enthusiasts who were earlier insisting that MySQL was a complete replacement for current DBMSs.

Then I looked closely at the earlier versions of MySQL and saw that they lacked such "features" as transaction control and referential integrity.

Now if MySQL had responded by saying that what they were providing was a cut down low cost alternative, essentially a data dictionary and data manipulation language sitting on top of ISAM then one could accept this.

Instead Mikos insisted that such "features" were "not necessary". This to me feels like a car manufacturer stating "Okay, sometimes the brakes don't work, but usually they do and brakes aren't necessary in most driving circumstances". Now even though the manufacturer might have improved the brakes since then it would take a long time for you to ever trust this manufacturer again.

Now it may be that MySQL works well for Google but in areas where data consistency and integrity are paramount you need proper means to define constraints in the database.

A query that returned "your request for last year's revenue returned the first 20 of four thousand possible results" wouldn't get you anywhere other than searching for a new job.

On a more general note the full potential of the relational model if far from fully realised and the mistaken equation of SQL with relational is in my view acting as a serious brake on progress. There isn't room to explain the whole background here but I think the industry is missing out on some important opportunities to raise productivity and quality. However this isn't about products, it is about a combination of theory and proper understanding from practitioners that results in better products. Ideas come first, products implement the ideas.

Posted by: jorwell   Posted on: 07/13/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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