Introduction to Databases

In simple terms, it refers to a list of items that can be managed and sorted in different ways. An example would be a list of your favorite movies listed in a spreadsheet program. You list it by title, genre and director. In a database you should have an application that will allow you to sort that data by genre, director, movie title and so on.

Business environments store much more information and they use the SQL interface to do it. SQL or Standard Query Language is used to evaluate data and categories. This is utilized in almost all the free database software today.

MySQL

MySQL is an open source server. It is being utilized by companies like Yahoo, Suzuki, the Associated Press and even NASA for processing data. Its reliability even when dealing with copious amounts of data is one reason for its popularity. Also noteworthy is its speed. Another reason is its platform independence. It can run on Windows, UNIX, Linux and the Macintosh.

The architectural design combines simplicity with robustness. It is highly customizable too. Because so many users know and use it, it becomes an attractive choice. Regardless of the platform you use, a lot of users will be familiar with it, making the learning process easier.

PostgreSQL

Those who run enterprises often rely on PostgreSQL. An object-relational system, it comes with support for foreign keys and transactional integrity. It also comes with currency controls. Those who need to perform numerous complicated queries can rely on this free database software. It is also very stable and can cope with large amounts of data.

BerkeleyDB

This is another open source system you can use. It comes with key management controls and customizable features. It comes with the power of relational systems but minus the processing overhead. In addition, it supports several operating systems. They include Windows, UNIX, Mac OS X and others. It also has only a 500 KB footprint and is much quicker than other systems. Furthermore, its simple structure makes assimilation into programs straightforward.

Firebird

Firebird is a high quality system that functions on multiple platforms (Windows, UNIX and Linux). This is the system to use if you want concurrency. Its support for stored procedures makes this one of the finest free database software around.

In operation since the early 1980s, it has added several new features through the years. It was developed by C programmers and boasts of a wide community that provides support for this system.

What makes this system so attractive to developers is that it is completely free. There is no licensing fee and it is open source. It should come as no surprise that both commercial and freeware programs support it.

Whether you run a network or into the business of processing loads of info, these applications will make your work easier. Instead of spending cash on expensive programs, these free database software can save your money and time.