RDBMS Comparison 1.2

Comparing Database Engines ========================== This document is intended to stimulate input regarding the strengths, weaknesses, and gotchas for advanced relational database engines. Feedback will be used to develop a profile of each product and product comparisons. Sybase SQL Server 10 -------------------- The Sybase System 10 SQL Server is a multithreaded database engine. It has powerful parallel IO capabilities. The Backup Server supports "live" backups and parallel dump IO. SQL Server administration is relatively simple. Powerful stored procedures and superior connectivity are hallmarks of Sybase SQL Server. Extremely large databases can be built using Navigation Server. Transactions can fail or block if a database log fills. Queries including more than 4 tables may use suboptimal join strategies. Internal bottlenecks limit thoughput in some large environments. Informix Online 7 ----------------- The Informix Online Dynamic Server is a multithreaded database engine. It provides powerful parallel IO and query capabilities. A hot standby feature enables decision support against the read-only copy of the data and provides failover functionality. Transactions fail if the Online transaction log fills. Space management has a significant impact on performance. Stored procedures do not enjoy a reputation for good performance. Connectivity is poor relative to Oracle, Sybase, and Microsoft. Oracle Server 7 --------------- The Oracle Server 7 enjoys the largest market share of Unix relational database engines (as opposed to file access tools). It employs a multitude of processes to enhance throughput. Logging is particularly robust, allowing transactions to be larger than the transaction log. Many sites use Oracle to replace mainframe databases. Server management is too complex. The multiprocess architecture of Oracle Server 7 can lead to server lockups. The optimizer requires hints to avoid poor performance. IBM DB2/MVS ----------- The DB2 database engine is robust and includes a rich set of mainframe tools. There is a large installed base of earlier versions of DB2. The DB2 engine requires a significant amount of administration. Lacks many common features. Users shun upgrades. There is no call-level API. Microsoft SQL Server 6 ---------------------- The Microsoft SQL Server was developed from Sybase 4.2 technology. It now uses native NT threads and includes OLE support. It comes with GUI management tools. Microsoft SQL Server remains largely untested in large-scale applications. It only runs on NT. The Author ---------- I am a consultant with 10 years of open systems and relational database experience. Much of my work has been with Sybase SQL Server. Disclaimer ---------- I do not speak for my employers. I am responsible for all unattributed factual errors. This document is not intended to endorse any product. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. Contact Information ------------------- Please send feedback, input, and corrections to chuckg@neosoft.com. $Id: dbcompare.txt,v 1.2 1995/06/20 13:26:41 chuckg Exp $ -- chuckg@NeoSoft.com "Daddy!" -- D. Rooter