Re: Oracle/Sybase

Having worked with both products over the years the summary you provided is correct.
To respond to each point.

• Yes, it is has been documented that Oracle uses more resources than Sybase for the same size database. In fact, the resources requirements for Oracle are considerably greater than Sybase. On the other hand, you should consider the type of hardware you will be using and the size of the database as well. For very large data marts (those that could be used for DSS), Sybase would recommend their IQ product, which is different from their primary database.
• Sybase can backup an entire database while it is on-line. It is not the fastest backup, mind you, but it can definitely be done. Oracle CAN NOT backup the entire database on-line.
• Replication is Sybase's "ace in the hole". The replication server is more complex than Oracle's offering, but it provides are great deal more flexibility than anyone else at the present time. With regards to performance, there is no comparison. On a large scale system, assuming everything is running correctly, the degradation on Sybase's performance is insignificant. Transaction level replication can be nearly instantaneous. Also, there are some neat tricks that can be done, usng Sybase Replication Server, to transform data during the replication process.
• Support for Sybase within the financial community is very strong. Some of the products in use there have not yet been ported to Oracle. This is Sybase's strongest marketing segment.
• Sybase has a "sweet" API in CT-LIB, which makes interfacing with other environments very easy. It is not dependent on either CORBA or COM, because both will support both C and C++ which are natural fits for CT-LIB. Besides, if you need something a bit more powerful, you can always build an Open-Server application.

Just to be clear, I responded to the points you brought up for discussion. There are areas
where I believe that Oracle would be the clear choice over Sybase. However, on the points
you mentioned, Sybase is the way to go.

Kevin

<stanwalters_at_my-dejanews.com> wrote in message news:7fpggn$f4a$1_at_nnrp1.dejanews.com...
> A client of mine has asked me to find some general opinions on some
> information that was provided by a consultant suggesting the use of Sybase
> over Oracle for decision support and financial applications. To increase
my
> likelihood of a reply I'll summarize very briefly the individual points
made.
> Any feedback is appreciated.
>
> * Oracle has Higher TCO. Sybase uses disk more efficiently than Oracle,
and
> the DB engine is more efficient, saving on disk and processor cost.
>
> * Oracle cannot provide online backup of Whole Database, just table space.
> Sybase can backup the entire database online.
>
> * Sybase replication server which is based on transaction logs
outperforms
> Oracle trigger based replication architecture creates which creates low
> performance and heavy database overhead.
>
> * Sybase is more popular in financial industry than Oracle. More
financial
> applications exist for the platform
>
> * The Oracle PL/SQL interface and the cartridge strategy for
encapsulation
> are closed and proprietary. Oracle is also a CORBA Centric Model and the
> initial look at Java support in the server suggests it is inferior to
the
> Sybase strategy. Also, to connect to another DBMS you must install an
Oracle
> server on that machine. In contrast to this closed and proprietary
> approach, Sybase transactional middleware is completely open and
non-aligned
> in the CORBA/COM wars.
>
> Supporters and detractors are equally thanked for their time,
>
> Stan
>
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Received on Sat Apr 24 1999 - 13:54:04 CDT