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IBM Delivers Free Version of Database

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

January 30, 2006, 11:15 AM

IBM is set to deliver a free version of its enterprise DB2 database software on Monday, following in the footsteps of competitors Oracle and Microsoft as they fend off the adoption of open source offerings MySQL and PostgreSQL.

IBM DB2 Express-C only limits the hardware that the database can run on, but is otherwise identical to the full-fledged DB2 release. The software can be installed on machines with up to two AMD or Intel processors, and utilizes up to 4GB of RAM. There is no limit as to the size a database.

Oracle's free XE edition, meanwhile, is limited to systems with a single processor, 1GB of RAM and 4GB of database storage space. The company says it is targeting students, small organizations and software developers looking to integrate a database into their applications.

Microsoft introduced SQL Server 2005 Express with the product's launch in November, which available as a free download and is designed specifically for testing with Visual Studio.

The release are a response to free, open source offerings like MySQL and PostgreSQL that have gained immense popularity among smaller companies and individuals without big pockets. MySQL is used by a number of major Web companies including Yahoo and Google.

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By DeadFly

posted Jan 30, 2006 - 1:59 PM

FYI... I was excited at first when the Oracle XE came out but it's lacking some important stuff ( http://anttix.linuxworld..._compiere_nightmare.htm ). I'll wait for some reviews of this DB2 release before I get excited.

Score: 0

By slentz

posted Jan 30, 2006 - 1:40 PM

I like this. I want to try the software but I got this message:

"This product is subject to strict US export control laws. Prior to providing access, we must validate whether you are eligible to receive it under an available US export authorization.
Your request is being reviewed.
Upon completion of this review, you will be contacted if we are able to give access. We apologize for any inconvenience."

I am in the us. What is the big deal?

I can't wait to try this.

Score: 0

By slentz

posted Jan 30, 2006 - 3:30 PM

just go this e-mail they are having problems on the site:

Your business with DB2 Express-C is very important to us. We are sorry that your
previous transaction with us did not go through. We have fixed this
error in your account. Please return to the DB2 Express-C web site to resubmit
your transaction. Thank you and sorry for the inconvenience.
URL: XXXX

******* PLEASE DO NOT REPLY. THIS IS A SYSTEM-GENERATED EMAIL. ********

Score: 0

By spiked

posted Jan 30, 2006 - 12:56 PM

Oracle's XE was a poor response to MSDE/SQLExpress but IBM's offering is a serious challenge. Although IBM's GUI is still clunky when compared to the full GUI toolset in SQL Server, Microsoft royally screwed up their original plan for the free Express Manager (now to be replaced by SQL Server Management Studio Express Edition). While SSMSEE remains stuck in beta, IBM is giving away their full GUI. And while Oracle is obviously biased toward Java while giving lip service to .NET, IBM is shipping very decent .NET support alonside its Java capabilities. At this point, it supports .NET 1.1 and VS .NET 2003, and performance of CLR procedures in DB2 does not seem to be optimal, but it's still impressive.

Score: 0

By phill666

posted Jan 30, 2006 - 12:51 PM

From an education stand point, and anyone looking for a new job, this is pretty good news. You can go and download these databases and learn them without having to take a course or purchase an often expensive text book.