Re: Oracle vs. Informix

Steve Chell (steve_at_nezsdc.fujitsu.co.nz) wrote:
: Note: I'm not wanting to start an "Oracle is better than Informix"
: (or vice-versa) debate, but I would like some info as to how the following
: features compare:

I can at least vouch for the tools. Also post-7.0.x versions of the RDBMS have been functionaly stable. Reliable and robust operation is something you come to take for granted with Oracle.

: 1. Development tools. (Does Oracle have a 4GL?)

PL/SQL is a 4GL. Also development tools are fairly good and robust. Good logical design in most areas and has a tight integration with Oracle RDBMS. There are tools for Forms and Reporting in GUI. The interesting thing is that once you develop in GUI, you may easily convert it to character-mode for DEC vt220 or whaever type of character-mode terminals. These are not "weenie" Microsoft products. There does appear to be some cohesion amongst the suite of tools and appears to be built using academic principles and an engineering discipline. I'd prefer best-of-breed and Oracle seems to be that at the moment.

: 7. Any other major differences worth noting.

Excellent scalability.
Also....

Larger and more stable company. Great employees. They throw good parties and events. :-) Actually it was Informix who turned me to Oracle. I was turned off by the fact that persons involved in diseminating pre-sales information was rather rude and "bitchy." One of them rudely told me that it is complex software and I needed to know how to program? I suppose all those years of VAX/VMS macro assemler programming and tackling the "Orange Wall" of Vax manuals is not considered programming. :-) I hate dealing with classless companies that do not have established, organized channels of support and do not maintain standards of behavior for their employees. Received on Wed Dec 13 1995 - 00:00:00 CET