Best Database Software?

[Undead_Mercenary]

Hey, I'd like to get some feedback on what you guys in IT think might be the best databasing software for where I work. Figured I'd get some opinions here as I do some research today.

We're looking at getting a server to host our web site, the new web application I'm working on, a map image provider and a database. The database I'm currently using is MySQL and it is used to hold login information, user aircraft, flight information for specific aircraft, and all the flight data received from an aircraft (position, met and status data). As it stands, the table holding all the flight data is the largest one, containing information for 5 flights (26,000 rows). With some companies holding several aircraft (sometimes fleets of over a hundred aircraft) that may do multiple flights, this database will fill up fairly quickly once this application goes live. Also, the guys here are talking about keeping track of inventory via a database as well.

What might be some suitable options for databasing software on the server? I'm not sure to what extent MySQL will be useful (especially since the storage engine begin used doesn't support Foreign Keys). Should we invest in something like Oracle or DB2? We'd definitely like something that will last a while, without being overkill (especially $ wise).

What do you guys think? Any feedback would be appreciated, thanks!

[Archangelus]

MySQL does support foreign keys if you use InnoDB. MySQL scales pretty well and a lot of larger organizations are starting to utilize it in their applications.

Here at work, we use all of the major database engines. I have personal disdain for DB2, regardless of its stance as a industry standard platform. I don't have any hands on w/ Oracle, so I can't give you a take on it. My team runs its major applications off of MSSQL. It's robust, scales, and is quite stable.

My personal recommendation would be to stay away from DB2. If you have a performance tool that you can test scale of your app, go against MySQL and MSSQL 2005 SP2 to see how they compare.

[Undead_Mercenary]

I have personal disdain for DB2, regardless of its stance as a industry standard platform.

Actually, DB2 was the platform we used in my 2 Relational Database courses. We all hated it with a passion. The only reason I brought it up was just in case they had a newer version out that someone here used and it was the best thing since sliced bread. Obviously not the case

It seems I may have underestimated MySQL. I thought that maybe because it was Open Source meant that it wouldn't scale well, or wouldn't be able to handle a growing database. Ignorant me... even Google uses it! I'm looking into the Microsoft stuff, seems their SQL Server 2005 is pretty solid. Fortunately, their Express Edition can work with PHP (I was worried that I would have to convert my server side code into a .NET language).

Anyways, thanks for the feedback Arch.

[I.D.O.]

Well I agree with Arch… I like MySQL for about everything and the 5.x version with the right DB format has great performance and seems rock solid. MSSQL is also a good performer and has a lot of nice management pieces / add-ons. But it cost $$ and is MS. Oracle is very powerful and performs well but I think it is harder to manage / administrate and it also cost more $$$. I have seen a few Oracle implementations that once you had them setup and running the applications that used them were awesome performers and rock solid. I would only use Oracle or MSSQL if a vendor required it for support of their product. P.S. – DB2 Sucks…. At least for the stuff I do…