New Open Source Database Offerings from Ingres and Sun

This has been a big week on the open source database front. Yesterday, Ingres launched version 9.2 of its database, which you can download here. And today, Sun Microsystems announced the new version 5.1 of MySQL, with a near-final candidate release downloadable here, and a final version expected on December 6th.

The Ingres database is a variation of PostGreSQL, and is aimed at enterprises. Ingres also has a number of notable open source partners, including Alfresco Software and Jaspersoft. The new version is a major update, and is focused on improved scalability and availability, in addition to improved application development options.

Ingres Developers can reach for Java Database Connectivity (JDBC), open database connectivity (ODBC), and .NET Data Provider connectivity. In addition to using Eclipse with its data tools plug-in, version 9.2 supports several development platforms, including PHP, Python, Ruby, Java, C++ and .NET.

The new version of MySQL also aims at large deployments, with new features focused on performance boosts and easier management of large databases. It has an event scheduler for automating common SQL-based tasks and supports many new forms of table and index partitioning. The new version will be available in three flavors, described by Sun here:

•   The MySQL Community Server –- "The freely-available, open source version of Sun's MySQL database. Licensed under the GPL, this full-function software is targeted to a technical, do-it-yourself audience, who does not require commercial support or premium add-on services."
•    The MySQL Enterprise Server –- "Available as part of a MySQL Enterprise subscription, this is the most reliable, secure, and up-to-date version of the MySQL database, targeted to corporate IT users. Subscribers receive monthly rapid software updates and quarterly service packs with the latest fixes -- along with access to proactive monitoring tools and 24x7 production technical support."
•     The MySQL Embedded Server –- "This commercially-licensed version of the MySQL software allows ISVs and OEMs to embed or bundle a high-speed, small-footprint database with their own products, without the free-distribution requirements of the GPL license."

MySQL Enterprise has a new query analysis tool designed to help users track and fix problem code and performance issues. Matt Asay points out that it may be particuarly strong at helping database administrators quickly resolve problems. He also notes that the Query Analyzer is only available to subscribers, an example of how Sun is monetizing its open source efforts with MySQL.

You can find many insights into the new version of MySQL in our recent interview with Rich Green, executive vice president of software at Sun. He also discusses some of the goals for version 6.0 of the database there.