Support for databases on BSD is great. The top 2 databases of choice are MySQL and PostgreSQL. These two systems have had a friendly competition lately and have improved dramatically. People have found the solid mix of speed and features which MySQL provides to be most appealing. Both of these systems have their own merits.

PostgreSQL is a database with a wide array of features, many of which are completed but several which exist only as placeholders for future development. Some unique features include user defined data types, subselects and transactions. Some people feel that the speed aspects of PostgreSQL should be better, but recent benchmarks have shown that PostgreSQL has been closing the gap with the other databases which have been faster.

MySQL has a nice blend of speed and features for small and medium sized databases. For web-based applications you will find MySQL has more than enough speed and features. Previously MySQL was benchmarked against Oracle 7 and it actually had some higher marks. Since then Oracle 8i has been released and raised the bar for MySQL and PostgreSQL in terms of speed and features.

Various database applications can be found on Freshmeat.net. Many of the applications are web-based PHP or PERL scripts. Applications range from simple address book or help desk applications to complete e-commerce engines. You can also create your own binaries in languages like C and C++ for working with these databases. There is sufficient documentation available online to get started.

For a higher end database, you may want to look to Oracle. Presently there is no version of Oracle for FreeBSD, OpenBSD or NetBSD but it is possible to install the Linux version using Linux compatibility. The install process is not very straightforward, but if you really need the features Oracle provides, you can get it done. Ultimately if Oracle is that important for your situation, you may find Solaris will be a much better choice. Much of the work done with Oracle has been done to optimize it for Solaris. Assuming the needs for your project require Oracle, then your should find choosing Solaris with beefed up Sun hardware a no brainer. Of course, with using Oracle, Solaris and Sun hardware there will be a cost. That aspect should be a factor in your plans.

In the process of deciding which database to use you can easily install both of the free database systems and try them out in a simulation of your live system. Ultimately your own benchmarks will be the ones which matter most. As a rule of thumb, keep your SQL as standard as possible so you are not locking yourself and your applications into one database solution. Right now PostgreSQL has some nice transaction and subselect features, but if you find your system suddenly needs the power of Oracle you do not want to have to update every SQL statement for the new environment. Always keep in mind that changes can and do happen.

• MySQL
• PostgreSQL
• NASA switches from Oracle to MySQL
• MySQL gets row level locking from NuSphere
• Postgres Routs Competition in New Benchmark Tests
• Why not MySQL?
• MySQL Developer Contests PostgreSQL Benchmarks
• MySQL Benchmark Results (Oracle, Sybase and others)
• FreeBSD: Installing Oracle