Oracle to left SQL Server to right: How do you choose?

Oracle and Microsoft are two major database products in the history of database development. This leaves little room for selection of databases, either Microsoft or Oracle. However, there is a big difference between them. When selecting databases, we have to pay attention to the three small differences between them. Understanding these differences can provide great guidance for database selection.

I. Differences of supported platforms

Oracle's database system is developed on the JAVA platform, so it maintains the features of many JAVA programs. For many functions, commands must be used. For example, some auxiliary tools are similar to DOS window command lines. The database version developed based on the JAVA platform also inherits a very important performance of JAVA, that is, cross-platform performance. Oracle databases can run smoothly on most existing operating systems, such as open-source Linux systems, Microsoft Server systems, and Apple operating systems, can run the Oracle database system.

Microsoft's SQL Server database system can only run on Microsoft's operating system. In addition to technical factors, it may also be a reflection of Microsoft's bundled sales and monopoly commercial strategies.

However, it is more and more important to consider the features that databases can support multiple platforms.

First, from the perspective of server stability. Up to now, open-source UNIX is the preferred server operating system. The stability of UNIX server operating systems is obvious to all. Microsoft's server software vulnerabilities and poor stability are also shared by everyone. In contrast, for some applications with high stability requirements, you prefer to use UNIX (or its branch LINUX) as the server software. Although the maintenance cost may be higher than that of Microsoft's server operating system. Since there are multiple platforms to choose from on the server operating system, this trend must also be considered in database selection for enterprises and software companies. If commercial software companies develop software that only supports Microsoft databases, but does not support Oracle databases, the software they develop, it can only be applied on Microsoft's operating system platform, rather than on a LINUX platform, which will inevitably lose a large part of the market. In this regard, our company's CRM software business suffered a loss. Since our company's CRM software was acquired from other companies, it only supports Microsoft's database products. Although it is bundled with Microsoft's database products, it is said that companies have also received a lot of rebates from Microsoft, but they have also lost many customers. Nowadays, many customers need CRM software to support cross-platform running, especially on servers. For the sake of stability, they all adopt LINUX as the operating system of the backend server. However, our company's CRM software cannot meet this cross-platform requirement, so we were forced to give up many projects. Now the R & D department is researching and preparing to develop a set of CRM software that supports cross-platform development. To achieve this goal, we must first consider that the database must support cross-platform support.

Second, consider the client deployment cost. Cross-platform is also an inevitable choice. Now, Microsoft is stepping up its crackdown on piracy, which may increase Microsoft's sales, but to some extent, it also transfers Microsoft's users to Linux and other operating systems. To adapt to this trend, when selecting software, enterprises not only reflect on servers, but also require support for open-source operating systems such as Linux on clients. This trend also gives Microsoft the leading one. Although the cross-platform performance of information management software is related to databases, it is also related to the development platform of information management software. However, from the perspective of client deployment costs, most enterprises still adopt free open-source operating systems. In order to meet this demand, software companies, it will also adopt a cross-platform development language, and naturally it will support the Oracle operating system. This will greatly affect the market share of Microsoft's database system.

Therefore, I believe that the failure to support cross-platform operation is the biggest disadvantage of the competition between Microsoft database system and Oracle Database System in the market.

Ii. Differences in deployment costs

In terms of database deployment costs, the differences between the two can be summarized in one sentence, that is, Oracle's database performance is dozens of times higher than Microsoft's database performance. However, if the deployment price is, oracle Systems are several times more advanced than Microsoft's database systems. Of course, this is a general statement. In actual database selection, actual analysis is required.

1. Oracle databases also have some free versions. To attract more customers, Oracle database systems have also launched some free database systems for small and medium enterprises, such as XE. Although these free databases are somewhat limited in some aspects than the paid database systems, such as CPU and database capacity restrictions, for small enterprise applications, it does not have much impact. Microsoft's database systems, whether large applications or small applications, charge fees. Although, according to my understanding, many small and medium-sized enterprises chose a relatively complex Oracle Database System During database selection, and abandoned the high-cost Microsoft database system. In this regard, the implementation cost of Oracle databases is much lower than that of Microsoft databases.

2. The reason for the high cost of Oracle Database deployment is that they also provide a lot of cost-effective maintenance tools. In fact, Oracle's database system is not just a database software, but also a lot of maintenance tools, which are sold separately from the database itself. For a database system, most Database Administrators cannot manage Oracle database systems. For example, many Oracle Database Administrators lose the SQL * plus tool, it's no choice. Without these auxiliary tools, the database administrator of Oracle is like a magician who has lost the item and is at a loss. For these reasons, Oracle's database deployment and maintenance costs are much higher than Microsoft's database system. Microsoft basically does not have any official database system tool for charging fees. It is a database system that also comes with an enterprise manager. Using this Enterprise Manager environment, you can basically complete the maintenance of the Microsoft database system. Because of this, Microsoft's database system deployment and maintenance costs are much lower than Oracle's. Of course, this is because the Microsoft Database System sacrifices the database performance. Undoubtedly, these rich Oracle Database auxiliary tools can ensure the high performance of Oracle databases.

3. There are also differences in the value of database administrators. If the database administrator is treated as a commodity, the Oracle database administrator and Microsoft database administrator are in the same grade, and the former is much more expensive than the latter. Although they are all database administrators, they seem to be assembled locally and imported from the original, which are very different in price. I did not boast that, at the same level, I can hire an Oracle database administrator to hire two or three Microsoft database administrators, or even more. Considering the expenditure of database maintenance personnel, Oracle's operating system is two to three times more expensive than Microsoft's database operating system. This is another important reason for the high cost of Oracle Database Maintenance. However, there is no big difference between the two database administrators who are just getting started; the higher the level, the larger the "price" of the two.

3. Differences in Community atmosphere

The differences in the Community atmosphere are not only the differences between Microsoft and Oracle database systems, but also the differences in the operating culture of the two companies.

Microsoft attaches great importance to the Community atmosphere of the entire product. For example, I have a long experience in the database industry. I have been invited by Microsoft many times to listen to their new product launches, seminars, and so on. Moreover, on the internet, there is also a dedicated free education. On GOOGLE, you can find many official training videos by entering the Microsoft database tutorial. However, Oracle is obviously inferior to Microsoft in this regard. I have used Oracle databases for so many years, and I have never heard of so many version changes from the first 9 to the latest version, when did Oracle hold a product release briefing throughout the country, and there were no user seminars. In addition, it is difficult to find the official training CD on the website. Therefore, Microsoft attaches great importance to their user groups.

This is not only reflected in their database products, but also in their CRM software industry. This helps Microsoft seize the hearts of many users, which can help them explore the market.

The Community atmosphere that Microsoft has actively created is very helpful for users to understand Microsoft's database products and learn their database product technologies. Due to the lack of such an atmosphere, it is difficult to get started only after training can the Oracle Database Administrator team.