Relational database comparison

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Revision as of 17:51, 26 March 2009 by AaronS (talk | contribs) (Advantages: adding transportable trees)
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This page if for a comparison of different database, and is specific for how they might be used for GRAMPS. It was started to help with GEPS 010: SQL Backend.

SQLite

Advantages

  • far easier to setup. just start writing to the file! no connection or user accounts.
  • smaller install (code) size.
  • easier for users to manage / and share sepperate db's
  • single file
  • good support.

Transportable Trees

From http://www.sqlite.org/onefile.html:

Single-file Cross-platform Database

A database in SQLite is a single disk file. Furthermore, the file format is cross-platform. A database that is created on one machine can be copied and used on a different machine with a different architecture. SQLite databases are portable across 32-bit and 64-bit machines and between big-endian and little-endian architectures.

The SQLite database file format is also stable. All releases of of SQLite version 3 can read and write database files created by the very first SQLite 3 release (version 3.0.0) going back to 2004-06-18. This is "backwards compatibility". The developers promise to maintain backwards compatibility of the database file format for all future releases of SQLite 3. "Forwards compatiblity" means that older releases of SQLite can also read and write databases created by newer releases. SQLite is usually, but not completely forwards compatible.

The stability of the SQLite database file format and the fact that the file format is cross-platform combine to make SQLite database files an excellent choice as an Application File Format.

The Single disk file of sqlite db would be a major selling point for sqlite
for genealogy software since users share and compare db's all the time.
--Aarons

Disadvantages

  • while great for what it is it's not an enterprise level database
  • many "traditional" relational db things are lacking.
  • while tools exist they aren't as fleshed out and solid as the mysql ones.


MySQL

Advantages

  • far better tools for management and reporting
  • a true enterprise level database capable of handling serious loads
  • far more is built into the db. ie auto incrementing fields, stored procedures and on and on.
(sqlite may not even have triggers but I can't remember)
  • far more extensive user base and support.

Disadvantages

  • install size (bloat)
  • an actual server to setup run and maintain.
    • there are tools that can do this automatically though and make things almost none
existent for an end user. also the embeddable mysql might be an option.
  • may be difficult to manage / share multiple databases. more difficult but very do able.
 maybe not even that difficult. it would just take some planning.