Looking for something very specific in a choice for a database platfor

[asya1]

I work for a very small software company that works on a couple applications with a fairly small customer base (meaning we don't have the big bucks and can't expect our customers to spend the big bucks either).

For the next version of our software we would like to move the data inputted and the results of our various calculations into a relational database for later retrieval. (currently we are using many text files)

The kickers are that some of our customers use various unix platforms and some use windows (NT, 2000 or XP). My boss does not want to require customers to have access to something like SQL Server in order to use our product and would prefer something you can make local to a particular machine (and possibly copy to a laptop if needed). It needs to be fairly close to ansi SQL as we may move to something client/server in the future.

I have 5 years experience working with SQL Server, Sybase and Oracle so the SQL isn't a problem but I'm not sure what our options are for databases that are:
- cheap to distribute
- fairly cheap to get a development, distribution, etc license for
- will run in unix and windows
- fairly ansi compliant

I was looking into PostgreSQL and McKoi SQL but since we sell our product (the front end) and plan to distribute the database as the back end I don't believe we can use those products? (we can't go completely open source)

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Asya

 

[Transcend]

Have you considered MySQL?

http://www.mysql.com/

Transcend

 

[skiflyer]

heh, that request sounds like an ad for MySQL actually. I don't know anything about McKoi SQL, but my impression was you could dist. PostgreSQL that way (I know little about it though)... although with the multiple platforms it might be a chore.

-Rob

 

[dnoeth]

Mysql: the SQL is too limited and you'll have to pay for it.
PostgreSQL: great product, but you need an DBA for it.

If you want a free open source ANSI SQL 92 compliant RDBMS:
Ocelot,

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ocelot

but's it's no longer activly developed ;-)

I'd prefer Firebird,
- it's also open source (based on InterBase, a successful commercial DB)
- absolutely no license fees
- running on Unixes and MS OSes
- small footprint
- it's possible to run it without admin
- nice SQL features

Dieter

 

[skiflyer]

I'm still researching myself, but I'm fairly certain you won't have to pay for mySQL.

It's a topic I've been looking for a definitive answer on for some time.... maybe if I get motivated this weekend I'll just email the guys there and get back to everyone here.

-Rob

 

[CajunCenturion]

MySQL is published under the GNU license, and it can be freely downloaded.

http://www.mysql.com/downloads/index.html

contains more information.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

 

[dnoeth]

asya1:
"we can't go completely open source"

http://www.mysql.com/downloads/index.html:

"You need to purchase commercial non-GPL MySQL licenses:
* If you distribute MySQL Software with your non open source software,"

So you'll have to pay for mysql if you're not Open Source.

But i forgot the Firebord link:

http://firebird.sourceforge.net/

Dieter

 

[lebisol]

...put it all on the web and no need to worry about customer-user platform compatibility. Choose the platform/programming language that u like and maintain it. all of the advice above are good:
MySQL,PostgreSQL,MS Access,....FileMaker...is a cheep way to get it done.
SQL,Oracle, Sybase...well if got $$$
I guess it depends on your future/expansion plans...