Re: Database in Redhat Linux

From: Victor Wagner <vitus_at_wagner.rinet.ru>
Date: 30 Nov 2000 09:24:03 +0300
Message-ID: <904rq3$54b$1@wagner.wagner.home>

In comp.os.linux.misc Anthony W. Youngman <thewolery_at_nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote:

: In article <8vmgld$om4$1_at_wagner.wagner.home>, Victor Wagner
: <vitus_at_wagner.rinet.ru> writes

:>In comp.os.linux.misc Freelancer <someone_at_somewhere.world> wrote:
:>: I need decide which database going to run for Redhat Linux.
:>: I know MySQL is the most popular one in Linux world. I need
:>: you help me to fill out the blank and hole (?) in table below.
:>
:>Its a pity for Linux World, that most hype is done by people who don't
:>know what real database is. So they promote mySQL which is no more than
:>fast flat-file search engine with SQL-like syntax.
 

: And it's a real pity that there are so many people who think that the : only valid type of database is a SQL database.

Sincerely, I never seen any other kind of database which is usable without writing special program for any query. SQL is only practical solution've seen, which allows you to type queries in interactively. There is also QBE, but it doesn't count, becouse it is a) relational
b) if fully implementted is functionally equivalent to SQL.

:>It cannot be considered real SQL just becouse SQL stands for
:>Structured Query language, and mySQL doesn't support structured, i.e.
:>nested queries.
 

: By that argument *NO* database is "real SQL", because SQL is not a
: datastore - it is a *language* used by the client to talk to the back
: end.

by this argument each relational database implements some subset of SQL+some extension to it. Even Oracle doesn't do ANSI 92 fully.

Restriction which mySQL places on the programmers are worst of all - they causes them to PROGRAM, instead of to DESIGN.

:>
:>But database is much more than just search engine. It also should ensure
:>integrity of data both by enforcing some conditions of them (i.e.
:>foreign keys and triggers) and by rolling failed transactio back to
:>consistent state.
 

: And to me, a database is a complete environment, aka AS/400, Pick, etc.
: A SQL back-end is to databases what the rear legs are to pantomime
: donkey - it can stand on its own but is useless without the other half.

SQL + storage manager behind them. Nothing more. Even OS is not always neccessary.
May be FORTRAN
preprocessor. Clients should be written on normal using jdbc, odbc, dbi or some other kind of standartized interface.

Of course good interactive shell is good, but I always have dbish.

:>
:>So, only free database is PostgreSQL. But PostgreSQL start to
:>resemble real database only since 7.0 version, becouse before there was
:>no foreign keys. I would consider that it IS a database, not RESEMBLES
:>one only when it begin to support outer joins and binary large objects.
:>Both are scheduled for 7.1.
:>

: I think you mean the only free *relational* database - which is not the : same thing at all. There are much better databases out there. While I

Please name _free_ non-relational database which is comparable with commercial ones. As far as I know, most free non-relational things are compared with say Adabas, like mySQL to Oracle or worse.

: would strongly suggest that all database programmers should know
: relational theory (it helps design immensely), there are a load of far
: better databases out there. SQL and relational databases put theoretical
: purity above practicality and functionality, which is why Oracle is such
: a beast - I could probably write programs that run faster, do more, and
: handle larger datasets, and all on a system half the size! just because
: I don't believe "relational is best".

Guys who wrote mySQL think same way. Unfortunately, they was wrong. Becouse there is nothing more practical then good theory.

Theoretical purity gives flexibility, scalability and tunability. This is why people don't write on CODASIL anymore.

: -- 
: Anthony W. Youngman - wol at thewolery dot demon dot co dot uk
: Witches are curious by definition and inquisitive by nature. She moved in. "Let 
: me through. I'm a nosey person.", she said, employing both elbows.
: Maskerade : (c) 1995 Terry Pratchett
 

-- 
There ain't nothin' in this world that's worth being a snot over.
             -- Larry Wall in <1992Aug19.041614.6963_at_netlabs.com>

Received on Thu Nov 30 2000 - 00:24:03 CST