On Monday 2004-04-12 15:27, Michael Havens wrote:
> From what people O know have told me the website I want to start will
> require a database. Well, I've played with Microsoft Excell and it seemed
> to just be a spreadsheet. Is a true database more than just a spreadsheet?
> Please, what linux program is a database if it is not merely a spreadsheet?
> Also if someone could tell me how they differ that would be grand.

Excell is a spreadsheet.  MS Access (really Jet-4) is a database management 
system appropriate for personal use of small projects.  It is pretty much 
inappropriate for use on interactive websites.

MS does have a gratis version of SQL Server 2K available.  It is arbitarilly 
hobbled.  I forget the details but expect that it would *refuse* to work as 
part of a webserver.  

Oracle and DB2 both have versions that run on Linux and Windows.  (Note that 
they may only run well on select Linux distributions.)  They are pricey.  (So 
pricey no mortal can afford the licence.  You would have to rent services 
from a hosting company.)

The traditional approach on a *nix web box is LAMP.
Linux
Apache (still usually 1.3 instead of 2.0.  Dunno why.)
MySQL (rarely Postgresql)
PHP (formerly PERL)


Your choices for gratis and libre RDBMS on Linux are 
MySQL
MaxDB/SAP-DB
Postgresql

For a Database developer or DBA Postgresql is just *COOL*.  Lots of grad 
students have done research on it so it often has state-of-the-art feature 
even before the big commercial guys.  It's syntax is very ANSI/ISO standard.  
It scales well and is a true object-relational database system.  (I just love 
Postgresql; it makes me drool.)  

Don't use it (unless you're a database junkie).  It is complex and has low 
market share compared to MySQL.


MaxDB is also a true RDBMS.  However, it was developed by SAP, the ERP 
middleware people.  Their philosophy is exactly opposite to Postgresql: Keep 
It Simple.  Do not put logic in the database (then you are tied to just one 
database). Put it in the middleware (then your customer has to use SAP 
forever).  MaxDB is being merged with the MySQL API and interface.  Don't use 
MaxDB ... yet.


At the risk of once again starting a flame war, MySQL is the weakest of the 
lot.  It still doesn't support views (saved queries)!  It also has a 
reputation for having a very ideosyncretic dialect of SQL.  MySQL really 
isn't a full-featured RDBMS and not even close to being an Object-Relational 
DBMS.  MySQL is more of a SQL enabled record management system, but to be 
honest that is really often just what you need.  Plus, in the right 
circumstances MySQL's bias toward record management means it can be very 
fast.

USE MYSQL. 
-- It is standard on Linux based web servers.
-- Compared to Postgress it is easy to install and use.
-- It's interface is more mature than MaxDB's.  
-- It has HUGE market share.
---- Lots of people can help you.
---- There are a zillon cool applications that work with MySQL that either do 
not work or are buggy with Postgresql.
---- There are lots of people who want MySQL experience (but the rare ones who 
want Postgresql experience are often more desperate.)


Note that most webhosting companies give you limited database development 
rights.  If you are used to working as an enterprise database developer, let 
alone as an autonomous DBA/developer the constraints can be frustrating.
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