Cross platform scripting language and database

[Alma J Wetzker]

David A. Bandel wrote:
> On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 20:13:35 -0600
> Alma J Wetzker <almaw at ieee.org> wrote:
> 
> 
>>>Perl comes immediately to mind.  Java is a real outside possibility.
>>>
>>>Do you intend to store the image itself into the database or just the
>>>name of the image with the description?  (Are you using a real
>>>database {MySQL, PostgreSQL, ...} or data listing?
> 
> 
> MySQL - a real database?  Not hardly.
> 
> PostgreSQL, Informix, Oracle, others, are _real_ databases.  MySQL is a
> file system you access with SQL commands.  It lacks: ****transaction
> support****, outer joins (how do you create a real relational database
> application without left outer joins?), triggers, stored procedures, etc
> (does it have views?), AND it's not ACID (see lack of transaction
> support) 

It is a much a real database as access and a few other options that get 
mentioned.  Would I use it for a mission critical, bet the business, type of 
application?  No.  Would I use it for lightweight database applications? 
Absolutely.  It seemed a reasonable option for the project as I saw it 
described.  Usually, you pay in performance for a "real" database.  That extra 
functionality costs cycles.  I think you should only use a "real" database 
when the data security demands that type of uptime and performance hit.  The 
project I heard about sounded like it could wait for a restore from backup.

My GE training says that the quality solution is the one that gets the job 
done in the best way.  Don't waste time and resources overbuilding a solution 
and don't skimp on tools when you need a feature.  Making those choices is the 
most fun I have in this technology whirlwind.

     -- Alma