Four databases tested

Build AU is running an article testing four relational SQL databases. SQL Server Express, MySQL, Oracle 10g and IBM DB2 Express are all compared in ways that go beyond "this one's free."

Release 5.0 of MySQL is really taking it to the Oracle and DB2 with advanced features such as cluster support and fault tolerance and in most other departments the features run head to head with the competition. Non-SQL junkies can take heart with the GUIs dramatically reducing the reliance on the CLI, bringing administration and configuration within the realms of the novice. MySQL V5.0 is a compelling product and it is hard to argue against its nomination for the Editor's Choice award.

The differentiation between these becomes less and less important, however, as their standards compliance improves making it significantly easier to move from one database engine to another. Unfortunately, while SQL Server Express and MySQL have made great strides in the last two to three years, both still have qualifications on their SQL standards compliance.

The computer scientist in me is screaming pedantically that these are technically all post-relational databases, rather than relational databases, because relational databases cannot contain variable-length fields.