Oracle and MySQL

[Sidro]

Hi,
With only a week left of school, I've decided to learn about database programming. While browsing around borders book store, I came across MS Access, Oracle, MySQL, and SQL. What are the difference? Whats better? What requirement or server platform does each of them run on?
I prefer to develope in .net Which ones works well with .net? Anyone that worked or are familiar with these databases, maybe you can shed some light for me and others that have the same interest. Thanks in advance.

 

[gbag]

Use Mysql. It is free and easy. You will be learning almost all concepts except transactions. After that you switch to DB2 or Oracle or SQL Server.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sidro]

Hi,
So, you're suggesting that I began with MySQL and later on, when I get better, I should switch to Oracle or SQL server. I'm beginning to get the impression that Oracle and SQL are the best databases. Is that true? thanks.

 

[tanas]

I also think that for begining the best choice is Mysql. But you are not right saying that Oracle or MS SQL Server are the best databases. Mysql is fast and good working with small amounts of data, but for big amounts of data it is better to use etc. Oracle.

 

[JCruz063]

If you have Microsoft Access installed, then that's your best choice to start exploring databases. Access is very user friendly and has many easy-to-follow tutorials. You will be able to appreciate database concepts quicker with it.

The problem with Access is that it's meant to be for Home or small offices. It has a database size limit of 2GB and a few other restrictions.

MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle are what they call client-server databases. As opposed to Access (which is a file-based database), they handle therabytes of data (I'm not sure if MySQL could handle this much, though), and they use network bandwidth in a very efficient manner.

The problem with the above-mentioned client-server databases is that, for beginners, there is to much information to grasp. Start off with Access, and get a feel for how relational databases work. Learn to create and normalize tables, run queries, update data, etc. Then, after you've mastered the basic details, move on to the database servers and get familiar with terms like triggers, stored procedures, data replication, and so on.

SQL Server and Oracle are very popular databases. That they are the best, hmmmm, I'm not sure!

JC

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly...

 

[fusionboy]

Hi Sidro,

gbag and tanas are right -- the best place to start is MySql. In fact, I started and ended there. MySql has been developed for web applications specifically which means it is super fast. Access is a waste of your time, because it is not something you would ever want to use in a real environment (and yes, JCruz, MySql can handle terabytes --these db's are limited only by OS).

What gbag meant about Oracle and ms sql server is that they are true DBMS's. They do a lot of work to ensure data integrity -- though this happens transparently to you. With MySql, you have to ensure that integrity programmatically (something you should be doing anyways). This means there is very little difference to you as a developer or database admisistrator.

The big difference is that MySql is not quite yet or only now beginning to support things like Transactions and stored procedures, so when you get to the more advanced stuff, you'll want to practice on a different DBMS like Oracle or MS Sql Server. The fact is though, you will lose nothing by learning on MySql first.

Hope this helps.

 

[JCruz063]

fusionboy,
You have to understand that Sidro has very limited knowledge of relational databases and database programming. I told him "if he has Access already", that would be his best place to start, because (1)Access is very, very user friendly, which will make relational database learning a breeze, and (2)He doesn't have to spend the money (at least right now) to buy MySQL.

I must agree that Access isn't recommended for anything larger than about 5 users, and that's why I said "after you've mastered the basic details, [move on]." If Sidro has Access installed already and doesn't have the money to get MySQL (which, by the way, is the cheapest client-server database of the three mentioned), his best place to start (from a learning/cost effective point of view) would be Access, not MySQL.

JC

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly...

 

[fusionboy]

I understand your point Sidro, that Access is the easiest way to start in terms of being accessible.

I have two quarrels:
Access teaches you how to use tools to interact with the database -- I think this can almost be harmful in that you're not really learning how the db works.

MySql is free -- especially if it is just used as an educational tool. No cost + better database = best choice.

 

[fusionboy]

Sorry, I meant to address that last post to JCruz063!

 

[JCruz063]

fusinboy,
I didn't know MySQL was free, which would invalidate my point (as I was thinking about the economics of it). I went to the MySQL site and saw they were selling some professional or enterprise version for over $400, but I didn't know that they had a standard version that was free.

As for Access teaching how to use tools to interact with the DB, I also agree. The way I was viewing it though, was that Sidro could appreciate basic concepts like primary/foreign keys, relationships, queries, etc in a simple manner without having to buy additional software (assuming, of course, he had Access). But then again, this is wrong if MySQL is free.

You are right, then. MySQL is the better choice. Where can I get a copy of it so that I could try it out? I'm at the last state of developing a web site and I was planning to run SQL Server. I was ready to spend big money on it, but if MySQL is free, I'd rather use it instead. The lack of support for stored procedures or transactions is serious, however. But I'd like to see it anyways.

Thanks!

JC

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly...

 

[fusionboy]

Hey JCruz! Here's a link to download MySql:

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/4.0.html

Take a look at the documentation, because a lot of those bells and whistles are being made available presently (in fact, I think stored procedures are already supported).

 

[JCruz063]

Thanks again fussionboy!

JC

Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly...

 

[Sidro]

Hi fellas,
Thanks for showering me with so much suggestions. I really appreciate all your efforts.
I think I'm going to began with MySql. What book do you guys or gal recommend? And also, would I be able to use the .net languages with Mysql? thankx.

 

[fusionboy]

Hi Sidro,

Yeah, you can use MySql with .NET. Go here to get the soon to be Official MySql data provider:

http://www.bytefx.com/dotdata.aspx

The documentation will explain the different classes this provider makes available to you.

As for a good book on MySql, I use Core MySQL published by Prentice Hall. It might be a little advanced, however, but if you stick with MySQL it's definitely a great tool. I think the first place to start is a general book on the SQL language and Database Design. Go to a bookstore and look around in the database/sql section for a book that seems appropriate for your level and learning propensities.

Good luck!

 

[keyser456]

Sidro,

I agree that Access is not the best DB system out there. However, you should understand that there is no faster way to create a practical DB application that can be used in a real world scenario. As such, it would probably be THE fastest way to learn the basic concepts behind databases, (tables, relationships, queries) especially if you don't want to sweat all the little details to start out. Four years ago, I picked up the basics using Access within a couple weeks and within a month we were using it to handle every aspect of our operations, and we still use it today (we do about 2.5 million in sales per year). It is VERY good at what it does. I might mention you can use Access w/ MSDE which is, for all intents and purposes, a free SQL server minus Enterprise Manager. The only reason we are currently upgrading to SQL is to settle my insatiable appetite for C# and .NET