Re: ORACLE vs INFORMIX vs MS SQL SERVER

In article <727cjf$ga8$1@news.ipf.net>, Axel Sander <axsander@okay.net> writes >On Mon, 9 Nov 1998 07:15:52 +0200, "Billy Wheeler" <billy@west.co.za> >wrote: > >>Could be useful, especially if you upgraded to IDS/UDO and got the >>ability to do contextual searches of your images... > >I'm still using an SE engine, so I can't say anything on IDS/UDO but a >database with the ability of analyzing images sounds strange to me. > >If you're using the images as external files you can >- backup und restore them independent from the database Why not backup all your data in one go? >- span the files over multiple disks and servers Can be done with Online. >- burn the images on CD-ROM and use a jukebox Can be done using Online/Optical (add-on) >- let external programs access the files directly without extracting >them from the database True. But do external programs provide transactional integrity? >- let the external programs do their work and put the results back in >the database so I can create my reports on the extracted data But then the database is not in sync with the data and you cannot lock the data to stop two people trying to update it at the same time. > >So I can't see any advantage on storing that large images in the >database. > Ability to search using any ODBC compliant tool. Data integrity. Filesystems do not guarantee data integrity, even log based filesystems only guarantee metadata integrity i.e. directory structure, file sizes OK and a file made up to of a set of blocks correctly linked together. Even if the wrong blocks are linked together! Databases guarantee data integrity and provide rollforward ability hence you need never lose data.. >Axel > -- David Williams Maintainer of the Informix FAQ Primary site (Beta Version) http://www.smooth1.demon.co.uk Official site http://www.iiug.org/techinfo/faq/faq_top.html I see you standin', Standin' on your own, It's such a lonely place for you, For you to be If you need a shoulder, Or if you need a friend, I'll be here standing, Until the bitter end... So don't chastise me Or think I, I mean you harm... All I ever wanted Was for you To know that I care