Opensource DBs

Which ones are there, which ones are good and which ones are worth using

[ahmedtheking]

There's lots of DB Programs out there, but which ones should I be using? Which ones work the best and with what? Everyone loves the old MySQL, so then what's the point of PostGreSQL? What about SQLLite? And what DBs work best with what programming languages and on what OSs?

[webdoctor]

(...)what DBs work best?

Could you give us your definition of "best" first? :-)

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Now that we've got that out the way, here's my $0.02

Microsoft SQL is a good piece of software with a great set of features. It has a price tag to match. I look after a few servers running MSSQL - usually where the customer is a MS-only shop and they aren't interested in saving $$$/year on licences when they're turning over $,$$$,$$$/year and everything's working just fine.

MySQL isn't always loved by true open-source fans because of its licensing. Depending on whether you have a need to distribute it this might not apply to you.

Compared to MySQL, PostgreSQL is perhaps more "open" in this regard.

If SQLite has the features you need, use it - bear in mind it lacks certain common ones [sqlite.org] though.

I've got several sites of my own powered by MySQL and a new one powered by PostgreSQL. Both are doing just fine. Both are costing me a lot less in licence fees than Microsoft SQL would do.

Like with any other software, I try to pick whatever fits the particular project I'm doing.

[ahmedtheking]

Best = easiest to work with, fastest, cheapest, all that jazz!