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Oracle and PostgreSQL Debate
Mark Brunelli writes DBAs are talking about the merits of the open source PostgreSQL database management system (DBMS) as compared to Oracle - and their opinions truly run the gamut. DBAs responding to the interview said they liked the low cost and ease of use of the open source database, while others said that Oracle's rich feature cannot be ignored. Still others talked about how well the two systems play together. According to one DBA, a gateway product from Oracle would be a welcome offering."
90% of the people who use it don't need it. 100% of that 90% are/have been convinced they need it.
Uhh...is editing a config file really that difficult a process? It's like two lines.
Slony I requires a primary key on all tables in order to be able to do anything. I have tables that don't have primary keys and I don't want to ever have them. I've normalized my DB and it's the best way to keep track of multiple items for a single person. OIDs are a waste of time in this situation and a cop-out. I don't want to rely on some level of replication that runs on top of the database server, I want it to be part of the database server so everything that works with the DB is aware of replication needs.
Postgres really needs some replication or mirroring mechanism built-in in order to even begin to attract people away from Oracle. The Slony II project will certainly require this level of integration, and I hope it succeeds, even it it takes until PostgeSQL 10.0.
"I like how I can look at the Postgres source code, so I don't have to call anyone to solve my problem - or I can choose who I call."
.001% of the elite programmers who can do this on the fly, (b) ex-developers from the PostgreSQL team, or (c) nerds in their basement with no time constraints because all they're doing is running their Star Trek fansites with it.
In discussions like this, availability of source code always comes up.
I want to know who has a job where they have so much extra time on their hands that they can debug the source code of their database product.
No, seriously. I REALLY want to know. I can't imagine things operating at a pace where this kind of thing is even an option.
The only conclusion is that people who actually do this are either (a) the top
I'm very happy that our company is using Oracle - it's expensive, that's why! That high expense reflects back on me, in a good way. "The software is valueable, so the people who work with it are valueable". I'm better paid because they chose Oracle over MySQL.
Another thing is the large selection of Oracle training available. The more expensive a thing is, the more training is "worth it" -- even if it is insanely expensive. When I get this training, it is because "I am worth it" -- making me worth more in the process.
And yet another thig is the high level of professionalism surrounding Oracle. Our Oracle DBA is fantastic, he really preaches the right practice, and management listens to him. Because he is an professional Oracle DBA, not some MySQL tweaker.
Personally I would use PostgreSQL, but I'm happy we are using Oracle. Who needs all the features above and beyond ACID compliance? Perversly, it's Oracles high price tag that makes it better for me - personally - at work. I'm not footing the bill, and a bigger budget translates to higher saleries in the field.
I's perverse, but that's how it is.
Who?