I've personally seen that HT technology can kill performance on Novell NetWare 6.5 on very high-end servers. (Performance increased more than tenfold when HT was disabled.
Sorry, no FreeBSD ports; but the Advantage Database Server does run on Windows, Linux, and NetWare.
What about C, TCL, Perl, or Python APIs? PHP plugins?
Sorry, no TCL API (unless TCL can call a Windows/Linux API), but they have a Client Engine API that is accessible from C (or any language capable of calling an API), as well as a PHP Extension, a Perl DBI Driver, JDBC Driver, the aforementioned Delphi/Kylix TDataSet Descendent, an OLE DB Provider, and an ODBC driver. And, as an added benefit, several of the drivers mentioned above are supported on both Windows and Linux.
In short, I don't think there are many Database Servers out there that run on as many server platforms and provide as many client drivers as Advantage does.
Note: These are not all open-source client drivers. I was merely pointing out that they do have at least one client that is Open Source. (In addition, the Database Server is not open source, either.)
If you'd like more information, check out www.advantagedatabase.com.
Having the server's source (at least, for reference) would be nice, but I'd be happy having just the client libraries.
Then you should consider the Advantage Database Server from Extended Systems, Inc. Advantage's TDataSet Descendent (for the Borland Delphi development environment) is distributed with full source. The company also distributes an open-source Database Management application, written in Delphi, called Advantage Data Architect. (It's a good for sample code, as well as a very useful tool, even without code!)
This guy needs to get a clue! Don't tell me that this "Enterprise Linux Distribution" lacks a Hardware Compatibility List! Don't go blaming your lack of investigation on a failure on the part of this (and other) Linux Vendors to develop a device driver for someone else's product!
User-defined views would be nice, but that is orthogonal to query language it seems.
I don't believe that is completely orthogonal to query languages. I think the navigational-level access is very complimentary to a query language interface.
It comes down to a matter of using the right tool for the job. Some jobs are just easier with SQL; others are just easier with direct access to the table. (And, some jobs are best accomplished via an SQL query to generate the results, then the ability to apply a filter/index to that query result.
Granted, I realize MS SQL doesn't support this; but other engines (like Advantage Database Server) can support both access methods while still maintaining security and data integrity.
... i couldn't possibly think of an easier way to extract data...
Hmmm, how about opening the table directly (*gasp*) and applying a filter? Or setting an index order to active to sort the data? Or setting a scope to filter out data that's outside of the range?
Yes, there are specific needs for which SQL presents itself as a solution; but not everything can be solved via SQL.
There are other alternative servers that allow access from other development platforms. The world does not boil down to M$ SQL and MySQL (and Postgres, etc.) as most of you seem to think.
Take for instance, Advantage Database Server. Advantage supports development in Borland Delphi (and now Kylix), Borland C++Builder, as well as Java through the new Type 4 JDBC driver, php, Perl, and, yes, all Microsoft development environments, including.NET. In addition, the ODBC driver and OLE DB Provider open up tons of other development environments. (And, they have php, perl, and ODBC clients that work on Linux, so you can develop Windows or Linux clients.)
In addition, the server supports Windows systems, Linux, and NetWare. So, there are a variety of development platforms, as well as server platforms. And, while it's not open-source (sorry), it comes at a fraction of the cost of Oracle or M$ SQL.
Please remember that other options exist! (And, if you want a no-cost way to store data, Advantage has a Local Server dll [or.so] that can be used free of charge!)
Ya know, my life has been so much richer since I've been able to tune in to the daily episode of "As the SCO Turns", my favorite soap opera! Although, I almost think this almost qualifies as comedy! In any case, thanks, Darl!
I think it's interesting that M$ lists the general economic environment as their Number 1 threat. In some ways,the general economic environment can be an asset for Open Source Software. Speaking exclusively for myself, If I were to be laid off (due to poor performance by my company), I'd certainly spend more time working on worthy Open Source projects...
This discussion seems to be omitting an entire market segment of database engines. For instance, Advantage is a powerful database server that's priced at less than half the cost of M$ SQL Server, and Oracle. It's not a "free" product, like MySQL. In addition, Advantage isn't limited to SQL, which is nothing more than a limited reporting language, meaning, it's much more flexible to utilize Advantage than either of the products you seem to be comparing. And, No, I don't see MySQL as a threat at all to products such as Advantage.
In addition, MySQL isn't really all it's cracked up to be. Features such as page-level locking, (used by MySQL) and locking escalation (used by M$ SQL) will degrade performance in a multi-user application. So, while MySQL is great for a web-server, developing/deploying an application that uses MySQL can cause undesired performance degradation when multiple users are simultaneously accessing the data.
I would agree. We've already seen things like this in the past. Take for instance mail order. If I'm not mistaken, if you own a mail-order catalogue and you have "operations" in a sales-tax-free state like Montana, consumers don't have to pay sales taxes on the purchases, even though they reside in a taxing state.
I've got a question along the same lines: Why even _have_ TCPA? Why should computing be trusted? You get into your car and drive to work every day without the benefit of ANY trust relationship (let alone a hardware/BIOS-enforced one) with the other drivers on the road. Why on earth should computing be any different? Why is computing somehow this hallowed Holy Grail in which every machine must trust every other machine and every other piece of code out there? It doesn't model the real world!
You raise an interesting point, but I must comment on a flaw that I detect in your logic. You assume that by my ability to record a television broadcast, I am essentially robbing the broadcast company of revenue from Advertisements. To a point, this *may* be true. However, advertisers pay the broadcasting company for air-time on their network, regardless of whether anybody actually tunes in during that time. (Of course, the price that the advertiser will pay for that slice of time depends on the average number of viewers who watch that channel at that particular time.) However, the livelihood of the television station is not in any way affected by whether people skip the ads.
You really have to consider how they determine the number of people that watch their station at any given time. They only use polling data from places like Nielsen. So, the data that they use to charge advertisers is based only on the percentage of surveyed people viewing that station. Given that they certainly don't survey everyone, there's absolutely no way that the collected data is accurate.
This, of course, begs another question, exposing further flaws in your argument. How many people actually *buy* something after seeing an advertisement? The bottom line is that the number of people who actually view the ad is not proportional to the amount of return on that ad. (Anybody that would like to refute this should consider a lawsuit against NBC because less than 100% of the viewers of NBC at some given moment went right out and bought some product because they'd seen an ad for it. We'll just see how far they get in court!) So, refusing to watch an ad for a product that you wouldn't buy anyways hasn't stolen anything from anybody. And, to top it all off, the television station has already received payment for that air time, regardless of whether you watch it, or whether you actually buy anything!
I must agree! The sad thing is, these things cause more problems than they're worth! I can tell you from personal experience (from working in Technical Support for an internet connectivity appliance) that these users are ignorant and easily spooked! They get one lowsy denial and start climbing the walls! Not to mention the fact that they interfere with legitimate applications!!
I have to whole-heartedly agree. These companies do nothing more than to prey upon people's insecurity and stupidity. Notice that nearly all AV manufacturers also have their own personal firewall software. Which, I might add, over 90% of home PC users don't need. (I can understand the use of such software on some computers in a corporate environment.) But, as a Technical Support representative whose supported everyone from Network Admins to Application Developers to End Users, I can (with a fair degree of authority) say that this crap does nothing more than cause it's users problems! (Why on earth would you expect A/V software to cause problems when installing an infrared adapter? Well - it just so happens to do so!)
Presently, I am a Technical Support Representative with a company. I'd just like to throw in my two cents. Technical Support isn't really that bad. For one thing, I am not micromanaged. For the year and a half that I've been doing it, I have been afforded the same opportunity to make the most out of my employment as the best of firms (and I believe my company to be among them). Unlike some support divisions, companies, and support representatives, I actually CARE about helping my customers out. Sure, there are the days when all you speak with are the stupid morons, but overall, I would not trade the experience that I've had for the world.... Well, maybe a salary!;)
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My only question: What about geeky housewives?
I've personally seen that HT technology can kill performance on Novell NetWare 6.5 on very high-end servers. (Performance increased more than tenfold when HT was disabled.
Sorry, no FreeBSD ports; but the Advantage Database Server does run on Windows, Linux, and NetWare.
Sorry, no TCL API (unless TCL can call a Windows/Linux API), but they have a Client Engine API that is accessible from C (or any language capable of calling an API), as well as a PHP Extension, a Perl DBI Driver, JDBC Driver, the aforementioned Delphi/Kylix TDataSet Descendent, an OLE DB Provider, and an ODBC driver. And, as an added benefit, several of the drivers mentioned above are supported on both Windows and Linux.
In short, I don't think there are many Database Servers out there that run on as many server platforms and provide as many client drivers as Advantage does.
Note: These are not all open-source client drivers. I was merely pointing out that they do have at least one client that is Open Source. (In addition, the Database Server is not open source, either.)
If you'd like more information, check out www.advantagedatabase.com.
Then you should consider the Advantage Database Server from Extended Systems, Inc. Advantage's TDataSet Descendent (for the Borland Delphi development environment) is distributed with full source. The company also distributes an open-source Database Management application, written in Delphi, called Advantage Data Architect. (It's a good for sample code, as well as a very useful tool, even without code!)
This guy needs to get a clue! Don't tell me that this "Enterprise Linux Distribution" lacks a Hardware Compatibility List! Don't go blaming your lack of investigation on a failure on the part of this (and other) Linux Vendors to develop a device driver for someone else's product!
User-defined views would be nice, but that is orthogonal to query language it seems.
I don't believe that is completely orthogonal to query languages. I think the navigational-level access is very complimentary to a query language interface.
It comes down to a matter of using the right tool for the job. Some jobs are just easier with SQL; others are just easier with direct access to the table. (And, some jobs are best accomplished via an SQL query to generate the results, then the ability to apply a filter/index to that query result.
Granted, I realize MS SQL doesn't support this; but other engines (like Advantage Database Server) can support both access methods while still maintaining security and data integrity.
Hmmm, how about opening the table directly (*gasp*) and applying a filter? Or setting an index order to active to sort the data? Or setting a scope to filter out data that's outside of the range?
Yes, there are specific needs for which SQL presents itself as a solution; but not everything can be solved via SQL.
There are other alternative servers that allow access from other development platforms. The world does not boil down to M$ SQL and MySQL (and Postgres, etc.) as most of you seem to think.
.NET. In addition, the ODBC driver and OLE DB Provider open up tons of other development environments. (And, they have php, perl, and ODBC clients that work on Linux, so you can develop Windows or Linux clients.)
.so] that can be used free of charge!)
Take for instance, Advantage Database Server. Advantage supports development in Borland Delphi (and now Kylix), Borland C++Builder, as well as Java through the new Type 4 JDBC driver, php, Perl, and, yes, all Microsoft development environments, including
In addition, the server supports Windows systems, Linux, and NetWare. So, there are a variety of development platforms, as well as server platforms. And, while it's not open-source (sorry), it comes at a fraction of the cost of Oracle or M$ SQL.
Please remember that other options exist! (And, if you want a no-cost way to store data, Advantage has a Local Server dll [or
Ya know, my life has been so much richer since I've been able to tune in to the daily episode of "As the SCO Turns", my favorite soap opera! Although, I almost think this almost qualifies as comedy! In any case, thanks, Darl!
I think it's interesting that M$ lists the general economic environment as their Number 1 threat. In some ways,the general economic environment can be an asset for Open Source Software. Speaking exclusively for myself, If I were to be laid off (due to poor performance by my company), I'd certainly spend more time working on worthy Open Source projects...
This discussion seems to be omitting an entire market segment of database engines. For instance, Advantage is a powerful database server that's priced at less than half the cost of M$ SQL Server, and Oracle. It's not a "free" product, like MySQL. In addition, Advantage isn't limited to SQL, which is nothing more than a limited reporting language, meaning, it's much more flexible to utilize Advantage than either of the products you seem to be comparing. And, No, I don't see MySQL as a threat at all to products such as Advantage.
In addition, MySQL isn't really all it's cracked up to be. Features such as page-level locking, (used by MySQL) and locking escalation (used by M$ SQL) will degrade performance in a multi-user application. So, while MySQL is great for a web-server, developing/deploying an application that uses MySQL can cause undesired performance degradation when multiple users are simultaneously accessing the data.
I would agree. We've already seen things like this in the past. Take for instance mail order. If I'm not mistaken, if you own a mail-order catalogue and you have "operations" in a sales-tax-free state like Montana, consumers don't have to pay sales taxes on the purchases, even though they reside in a taxing state.
I've got a question along the same lines: Why even _have_ TCPA? Why should computing be trusted? You get into your car and drive to work every day without the benefit of ANY trust relationship (let alone a hardware/BIOS-enforced one) with the other drivers on the road. Why on earth should computing be any different? Why is computing somehow this hallowed Holy Grail in which every machine must trust every other machine and every other piece of code out there? It doesn't model the real world!
FYI, Perot's party was the "Reform" party.
You raise an interesting point, but I must comment on a flaw that I detect in your logic. You assume that by my ability to record a television broadcast, I am essentially robbing the broadcast company of revenue from Advertisements. To a point, this *may* be true. However, advertisers pay the broadcasting company for air-time on their network, regardless of whether anybody actually tunes in during that time. (Of course, the price that the advertiser will pay for that slice of time depends on the average number of viewers who watch that channel at that particular time.) However, the livelihood of the television station is not in any way affected by whether people skip the ads.
You really have to consider how they determine the number of people that watch their station at any given time. They only use polling data from places like Nielsen. So, the data that they use to charge advertisers is based only on the percentage of surveyed people viewing that station. Given that they certainly don't survey everyone, there's absolutely no way that the collected data is accurate.
This, of course, begs another question, exposing further flaws in your argument. How many people actually *buy* something after seeing an advertisement? The bottom line is that the number of people who actually view the ad is not proportional to the amount of return on that ad. (Anybody that would like to refute this should consider a lawsuit against NBC because less than 100% of the viewers of NBC at some given moment went right out and bought some product because they'd seen an ad for it. We'll just see how far they get in court!) So, refusing to watch an ad for a product that you wouldn't buy anyways hasn't stolen anything from anybody. And, to top it all off, the television station has already received payment for that air time, regardless of whether you watch it, or whether you actually buy anything!
I must agree! The sad thing is, these things cause more problems than they're worth! I can tell you from personal experience (from working in Technical Support for an internet connectivity appliance) that these users are ignorant and easily spooked! They get one lowsy denial and start climbing the walls! Not to mention the fact that they interfere with legitimate applications!!
I have to whole-heartedly agree. These companies do nothing more than to prey upon people's insecurity and stupidity. Notice that nearly all AV manufacturers also have their own personal firewall software. Which, I might add, over 90% of home PC users don't need. (I can understand the use of such software on some computers in a corporate environment.) But, as a Technical Support representative whose supported everyone from Network Admins to Application Developers to End Users, I can (with a fair degree of authority) say that this crap does nothing more than cause it's users problems! (Why on earth would you expect A/V software to cause problems when installing an infrared adapter? Well - it just so happens to do so!)
Presently, I am a Technical Support Representative with a company. I'd just like to throw in my two cents. Technical Support isn't really that bad. For one thing, I am not micromanaged. For the year and a half that I've been doing it, I have been afforded the same opportunity to make the most out of my employment as the best of firms (and I believe my company to be among them). Unlike some support divisions, companies, and support representatives, I actually CARE about helping my customers out. Sure, there are the days when all you speak with are the stupid morons, but overall, I would not trade the experience that I've had for the world.... Well, maybe a salary! ;)