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MySQL 5.0.3-beta Released
Zontar The Mindless writes "MySQL Community Edition 5.0.3-beta has been released. This version has support for Stored Procedures, Triggers, Views and many other features, including a number of security enhancements and stability fixes. See the changelog for a complete listing of new features and bugfixes. MySQL 5.0.3-beta is now available in source and binary form for Linux, Solaris, MacOS X, FreeBSD, Windows, and other platforms from dev.mysql.com/downloads/ and mirror sites. RPMs for Red Hat/Fedora and SUSE Linux are also now available for the first time in the 5.0 series. This is the first Beta release in the 5.0 series, in preparation for a MySQL 5.0 production release later this year."
Please don't dismiss the PostgreSQL "zealots" as trolls, most of their points are truly valid as of the latest released MySQL (4.1) and it's outright embarassing to hear people tell developers using MS SQL Server to migrate to MySQL which is a very common thing to hear here on Slashdot and other technical forums with a Linux/OSS bias.
MySQL 5 is a HUGE leap forward for MySQL and most of the points will probably become moot. Let's just hope they fix the default-value fiasco also...
When MySQL 5 is released PostgreSQL will get some more Open Source competition and that is a good thing.
My other account has a 3-digit UID.
I think the real question here is, are all of these features supported under one table type?
MySQL has Fulltext search and relational contraints, but not both at the same time becuase of the different table types.
Unless the MySQL team can get all these features together in MyISAM, don't expect a big uptake.
Don't forget that if you want to distribute it within your organisation, deploy it with your own non GPL application, or even require people to download it to use your non GPL application, you will need to get a commercial license!
The tap is on full, but the water dribbles out
Let me clarify the licensing.
First, if your application is under the GPL or another OSI compliant open source licence, you will not need a commercial licence for MySQL. MySQL AB has issued a "FLOSS Exception" which uniquely makes the GPL licence as used for MySQL compatible with OSI approved open source licences. See our website for more information.
Secondly, if you use GPL software in-house, i.e. you do not distribute, then the reciprocity requirement of the GPL does not kick in so you are free to use MySQL under GPL. (Some call the reciprocity requirement the "viral effect". I call it the reciprocity requirement, or simply the "blessing".)
The two scenarios above cover the vast majority of all cases.
If you distribute a commercially licensed application, then by the same logic that your application is commercially licensed, we think the database should be. This is the Quid pro Quo principle of MySQL AB and of a host of other open source companies.
I hope this info is useful!
Marten Mickos, CEO, MySQL AB