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Is MySQL Slowly Turning Closed Source?

Posted by timothy on from the seems-like-a-reasonable-suspicion dept.

mpol writes "Sergei from MariaDB speculated on some changes within MySQL 5.5.27. It seems new testcases aren't included with MySQL any more, which leaves developers depending on it in the cold. 'Does this mean that test cases are no longer open source? Oracle did not reply to my question. But indeed, there is evidence that this guess is true. For example, this commit mail shows that new test cases, indeed, go in this "internal" directory, which is not included in the MySQL source distribution.' On a similar note, updates for the version history on Launchpad are not being updated anymore. What is Oracle's plan here? And is alienating the developer community just not seen as a problem at Oracle?"

19 of 336 comments (clear)

  1. Oracle doesn't care about developer people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And is alienating the developer community just not seen as a problem at Oracle?

    Pretty much exactly this.

    1. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Indeed. This has been obvious for some time (InnoDB) which is why many needing similar functionality have moved on to PostgreSQL. Of course there so many options these days, and as usual the choice depends on the application.

      Oracle: ZFS, MySQL, VirtualBox, Java...

      And quite frankly ZFS and Java do not integrate well with many Linux distributions. Avoid oracle or face a never ending string of hidden costs.

      I know many X-Sun employees, Oracle is not earning a good reputation with the science and engineering folks. Once their brand dries up like Cisco's is, it will be all down hill from there.

    2. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Exactly. Anybody asking this question is obviously not aware of the OpenOffice saga.

    3. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by erroneus · · Score: 5, Insightful

      That's to be expected. The people at Oracle are selling to MBA/Executives who believe the fact that they have heard the brand name and see it everywhere they go means something. It doesn't matter that it's over-priced or that their sales model is not presentative of what they actually deliver, the MBAs see value in expensive things and believe it is worth it. Meanwhile, MySQL had been gaining market share and living in areas where Oracle wants to live. So they buy the product thinking they are buying the real estate it sits on. They know at some level they aren't buying the territory but they think that by boiling the frog, they can somehow get more out of it.

      While Postgres is probably the obvious choice to migrtate into, especially for new projects, I still kind of want to have an M in my LAMP. Stupid, I know, but it's true. I don't want LAPP... bad childhood memories.

      Oracle demonstrated what dumbasses they are with OpenOffice. The community proved there is less value in a name than Oracle want to believe.

      So go ahead, Oracle... buy more names and see what it gets you. In the end we still see everything associated with you as an extension of you and we don't actually LIKE you because of who you are, not what your name is. You'd think with a name like Oracle they would be more insightful than they are.

    4. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by c0lo · · Score: 5, Insightful

      While Postgres is probably the obvious choice to migrtate into, especially for new projects, I still kind of want to have an M in my LAMP. Stupid, I know, but it's true. I don't want LAPP... bad childhood memories.

      Well, MariaDB is still M, is is not?

      --
      Questions raise, answers kill. Raise questions to stay alive.
    5. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by maroberts · · Score: 5, Funny

      I don't want LAPP...

      Don't projects get Finn-ished when you use LAPP?

      --

      Donte Alistair Anderson Roberts - hi son!
      Karma: Chameleon

    6. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by forgot_my_nick · · Score: 5, Informative

      >Java is free like in libre, the reference implementation is under the GPLv2: OpenJDK

      Java is NOT free as in Libre. While OpenJDK is the "reference implementation" (which in Oracles terminology means "Blame the Apache Foundation") it does not and will never include the closed source goodies in Oracle Java.

      In addition, Linux distros are no longer allowed to redistribute Oracle Java due to some bizarre Ellinsionian fiat. (probably they want you to use Snoracle Linux). So If you still need Oracle Java for whatever reason, you have to install it yourself. However despite Larry's best efforts, the Community (thanks!) has come through with scripts and native packages to install recent Oracle Java on any Linux distro you can think of.

      --
      Cultist of the Average Middle-Aged Ones
    7. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by RichardJenkins · · Score: 5, Funny

      Clearly they were so overwhelmed by their success with OpenOffice they want to replicate it with MySQL.

    8. Re:Oracle doesn't care about developer people by M1FCJ · · Score: 5, Funny

      At least he's not using FreeBSD, Apache, PostgreSQL and PHP...

  2. Missed title opportunity by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Is MySQL Slowly Turning TheirSQL?"

  3. Just use Postgresql by SplashMyBandit · · Score: 5, Informative

    Postgresql is also a Free Software multi-platform database. It was designed properly (unlike MySQL, Postgresqlwas designed with transactions in mind), has excellent internationalization support (proper 3 and 4 byte UTF, unlike MS SQL-Server with its UCS-2 or blob unicode [unless the very latest version has fixed this]).

    Personally I prefer Postgresql to MySQL. While Postgresql looks more 'plain vanilla' I actually find it more straightforward to get easy things done (that is, pgadminIII doesn't look so flashy but I found it is much easier to get connected and get going than mysqlworkbench). YMMV of course, but if you are concerned about corporate control and the future of MySQL taking a look at Postgresql won't harm you - it is a nice(r) place to land if you have to.

    1. Re:Just use Postgresql by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You are very right. MySQL is like PHP. That's why people shouldn't use both.

      Avoid stuff where you can have bugs like this:
      http://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=31001
      http://pwnhome.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/php-crypt-bug/
      http://me.veekun.com/blog/2012/04/09/php-a-fractal-of-bad-design/

      And watch the MySQL jokers try to fix this:
      http://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=65111
      And somehow cause this:
      http://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=65745

      I'm a crap programmer, but I prefer to use libraries, tools and languages that are less crap than my stuff. That way at least I spend more time dealing with my own incompetence than someone else's.

  4. IMHO... by ZeroPly · · Score: 5, Funny

    Look, by no means FORK! am I a SQL expert, but I still feel FORK! compelled to express my FORK! opinon here. Face it folks, Oracle FORK! is evil. That said, if there is some way FORK! to create a parallel version, a version FORK! not intended to pay for a yacht, I would FORK! be all for it.

    --
    Support microSD: in a post 9/11 world, it is unwise to carry your data on media that you cannot comfortably swallow.
    1. Re:IMHO... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You mean, like MariaDB, as mentioned in the summary (hint: 3rd word) ?

  5. MariaDB by euxneks · · Score: 5, Insightful

    MariaDB is a drop in replacement for MySQL which was forked a while ago: http://mariadb.org/

    --
    in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
  6. Re:Translation by MaerD · · Score: 5, Funny

    oracle is actually an acronym: One Rich Asshole Ceo, Larry Ellison

    --
    I put on my robe and wizard hat..
  7. WHY is still anyone using mysql, when there is PG? by someones · · Score: 5, Insightful

    WHY is still anyone using mysql, when there is Postgresql?

  8. Re:Translation by Bill+Dimm · · Score: 5, Funny

    I believe it is One Rich Asshole Called Larry Ellison

  9. MySQL tombstone: G.I.F. by epine · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Postgres support is typically volunteer-maintained by one person

    This would double overnight if MySQL were declared pariah non grata, which is precisely the negotiation taking place in this kind of discussion thread.

    Speaking of PNG, you do recall the Unisys GIF debacle? When MySQL dies, may its tombstone read G.I.F.