Sing your DB’s praises

In a recent column, I outlined some open-source database systems. Several readers responded by mentioning other open-source database options that I didn’t cover, including SleepyCat’s Berkeley DB (http://sleepycat.com), frequently used for embedded data functions, and two Java-based databases: HSQL Database Engine (http://hsqldb.sourceforge.net) and Mckoi SQL Database (http://mckoi.com/database).

Others asserted that commercial products such as Sybase ASE deserved a mention. Like many other closed-source database vendors, Sybase offers a zero-cost downloadable evaluation version of its software under Linux. Unlike most other database vendors, though, Sybase offers a free download of its older ASE 11.0.3.3 software with full features and a license allowing commercial use of the software (https://linux.sybase.com/ase/11033download.html).

But most of the responses noted my omission of SAP DB from my list of databases. SAP DB (www.sapdb.org) is a database system from SAP AG released in 2000 as open source. It boasts a number of high-end features and is clearly focused on the enterprise market. Unlike some databases that have tried to grow into enterprise britches recently, SAP DB (with its roots in Adabas D) has been an alternative to large commercial systems such as Oracle and DB2 for some time.

Many readers mentioning SAP DB asked why this database doesn’t get as much press as MySQL and PostgreSQL. The answer is simple: Almost no one seems to be talking about it. Even in the e-mails I received, I saw statements about SAP DB’s features, but I didn’t see any testimonials from users. Not one e-mail to me explicitly mentioned using or even testing the software. That’s astounding, considering I’ve heard from several Firebird users, and Firebird is one of the stealthiest databases out there.

In a typical commercial product, you might be able to overcome a lack of mindshare by aggressive marketing tactics. But what do you do with an open-source project? Well, just as open-source development is often an exercise in human networking, so is open-source-project marketing.

In short, if you are associated with a project, you need to talk about it. And if you are using the software, it is smart to do likewise. Why? Because the best way to breathe life into a project is to get others to use it. If you rely on projects with no life to them, then your support network will be very small, as will be the developer pool. Talking about an important project is a necessity.

So here’s a suggestion for you SAP DB folks out there: talk it up. Write up your adventures and send them to Linux Today (http://linuxtoday.com), Linux Weekly News (http://lwn.net), or NewsForge (http://newsforge.com). Give a talk at your local Linux users group. Encourage partner organizations to evaluate the software for themselves. You won’t make any money from the effort, but at least you’ll make your project stronger. And a stronger project is one that will develop and grow.