I want it all!

Hello everybody!

I'm thinking of experimenting with a more powerful RDBMS than MySQL. I just want to play with some more advanced features and am not really looking for anything that will go into production (yet ;)). I am thinking of PostgreSQL, but I'll need to put Linux back onto my computer first (yes I have run it under Cygwin, but it's not much good this way!). I am also thinking of Sybase. I have a few requirements:

1) It needs to be FREE, or a free learning or dev version of a commercial product

2) I want to be able to connect to it with PHP

3) Something that will run on Windows XP would be good

4) Support for triggers and stored procedures

Any suggestions?

Sean :)

Sybase! Booh-yah!

:D

Anyway:
ASE 12.5 eval:
http://www.sybase.com/ase_125eval

SQL Anywhere:
http://www.sybase.com/detail/1,6904,1016644,00.html

SQL Anywhere is almost like ASE 'light'. It is a totally 'hands free' RDBMS server in terms of administration. I think the practical limits of SQL Anywhere are around 20GB (in a single database) and < 1000 user connections so it actually may suffice if you wish to use it in production.

It can also talk to ASE, Oracle, MS SQL server, etc. natively.

Thank you Matt. Before I fill out a big form :D, how big is ASE 12.5 and what happens after 60 days?

Sean :)

That's a good question. I'm not sure. ASE for Linux is under 200MB... I've never downloaded it for NT but I would think it could be quite large (e.g. 200,300MB). I have a CD with it on there (came with my ASE 12.5 Administrator's Guide) but I can't figure out how to open it (I swear, it's hermetically sealed or something!)

I think after the trial period it will cease to run (like any other windows program). You may be able to fake it out by getting another key, or you could call up Sybase and explain it to them. They've been very helpful with me and they may be able to give you an extended key. Older versions used to be 'eternal' -- you may be able to find one on their site or floating around.

Thanks again Matt

Sean :)

You might want to look into MSDE too. It's basically a free light-weight version of Microsoft's SQL Server. If you don't own any of the products listed in the link above, you can also download it over at asp.net (see option 3).

MSDE doesn't come with any kind of GUI, but it does come with oSQL (a command-line tool for connecting to MSSQL/MSDE servers) and you could always administrate it through a project in Access.

Hope that helps,
Goof

What about Firebird? It's an outgrowth of the InterBase product that Borland released as open source in 2000, then "unreleased." I don't know much about it, but there seems to be a bit of a community for it. Apparently, they just released 1.0. Yay.

Here's the link.

Might check this one out further myself. :D

B

Thanks for the ideas guys

Sean :)