Re: Informix, Sybase, Oracle or MS SQL server

In article <4laf6e$46q_at_ari.ari.net>, tlarson_at_ari.net says...
>
>Michael Cowden (cowden_at_tc.net) wrote:
>:
>: We are trying to find a workgroup database server to run on Intel/NT
>: that will be accessed from an SCO UnixWare 2.1 server and an SGI Irix
>: 5.3 server. The Irix machine is a webserver and will perform queries
 on
>: the database. The UnixWare machine is an IVR (Integrated Voice
 Response
>: unit--an automated attendant used to process incoming telephone calls
>: and such). The UnixWare machine will also query the database.
>: Additionally, reports will be run on the database--sporadically.
>:
>: We will also need Embedded SQL for SCO Unixware 2.1's C compiler and
 the
>: IRIX 5.3 C compiler.
>:
>: I'm wondering which one of these servers is the best to go with.
 Here's
>: what I found so far.
>:
>: Oracle:
>: Seems to offer alot of what we need, but you must take a
>: database of line to back it up--this is a problem. Also, I've yet to
>: speak with a technical person at Oracle--they seem to just try to get
 by
>: with their name. Also, They are a little more expensive and I don't
>: care much for their internet strategy (creating a webserver to compete
>: with Netscape and others rather than working with webserver developers
>: as does Sybase). Also, they seem to be more proprietary than Sybase
 or
>: Informix.
>
>If you read their news group you will find you aren't alone in your
>response to their tech support. It seems to be a cycle for all vendors.
>As for their proprietary nature, I have found that is just Oracle's
 approach.
>They are a product bundling type of company, which is a good thing for
>people who like to do one-stop-shopping.
>
>: Sybase:
>: Liked dealing with them but it seems that they have some serious
>: problems--no row-level locking, no two-phase commit. I like their
>: web.sql product--but it's not out for IRIX yet. Aside from these
 issues
>: I am very happy with them, but these are serious issues.
>
>There's another thread in here kicking around row level vs page level
 locking.
>It pops up periodically. I have not found page level locking to be a
 problem.
>It minimizes the work the server has to do which is good for
 performance.
>2K is usually just a few rows (usually), and your database design will
>frequently handle it (carefully choose what you create your clustered
 indexes
>on, if you need them, to avoid insert hot spots, bundle transactions
 (begin
>and end transaction) so that updates don't hold locks for extended
 amounts
>of time -- that kind of thing).
>
>I'm confused about what you say about the two-phased commit. Sybase
 supports
>two-phased commit capability through Open Client. Of course, this is
>client-side calls rather than server-side enforcement. So their
>implementation may not be optimal for your plans, but it is there if
 that's
>your concern.
>
>: Informix:
>: Just getting familiar with their offering. They look good, but
>: I still need to find out more. They don't appear to have the same
>: problems that Sybase has. They also do not have anything out for the
>: web side (except for the CGI kit). LiveWire Pro for Netscape is not
 yet
>: available but will offer alot of what we need for the database
>: integration from the web. I'm interested in finding out more about
>: these guys. They look like a good alternative.
>
>I haven't worked with it. I've read a lot and it sounds like they are
 doing
>good things.
>
>: MS SQL Server:
>: My initial inclination (from dealing with MS in the past) is NO
>: WAY. Serious issues include--access from Unixware and Irix.
>: Scalability--with MS it looks like you are stuck with MS the whole
 way.
>
>All valid points. :-)
>
> Good luck,
> Teresa Larson
>
>

I was going to respond to the original posting. Then I saw that this response said everything that I would of anyway. I second everything in here except maybe to be a little more cautious with regards to Informix. As of a couple of years ago they just could not handly large complex applications as well as Sybase and Oracle.

-- 
David Upham
Nan Pao Information Systems, Inc.
Phone:  886-2-816-5511 ext. 35
Fax:    886-2-813-2111
E-Mail: npis_at_ms1.hinet.net