DB_File?

what is it?

[newnewbie1]

What is the Perl DB_File? Is it a database? Is it a binary file? What is the Berkely DB? How does that relate? Can you use it as a database? Does it have performance issues? What are the advantages/disadvantages of using DB_File and a relational database like MySQL?

[bcolflesh]

Perl db_file info:
www.mit.edu:8001/perl/DB_File.html

Berkeley DB info:
www.sleepycat.com/

The choice of MySQL over some other system would depend on your needs and budget - ask yourself what you have to have in order for your project to succeed.

Regards,
Brent

[newnewbie1]

Thanks for the info. This is very interesting.

Here is my delimna... I have chosen to integrate a cgi-perl shopping cart system that uses eDatCat software with this DB_FILE database. Their product literature says it will be fine as long as we don't go over 30,000 - 40,000 products in the database. And don't worry, that will never happen! This is for a small florist who will have less than 100 items in their product catalog. Anyway... The hosting company is whining saying that this system using the DB_FILE will cause bad server performance. I seriously don't think that will happen. I know MySQL would be better, but I don't think it's necessarily needed in this situation.

[newnewbie1]

But I'm not sure what to tell them to persuade them that this will not be the case... Does anybody really use DB_FIle for development?

I come from the windows world. Is DB_FILE like using Access, and MySQL is like using SQL Server or something? Is that a good analogy?

[bcolflesh]

Don't bother arguing with the host - just go with another host who does not complain - they are a dime a dozen.

I would prefer MySQL for a project that size, but if you don't have the money built in for conversion, why put yourself through the hassle?

Regards,
Brent