MySQL readies beta of enterprise open source database

MySQL at the end of January is expected to release a beta version of its MySQL 5.0 open source database, which is to feature enterprise-level functionality such as stored procedures and triggers, according to a company representative.

The product has been available in early, alpha-level versions. The production release, originally expected to be available in 2004, now is anticipated sometime this year. But a MySQL representative stressed the company’s release estimates are just that -- estimates -- and that the vendor waits until it has deemed the product production-ready before shipping.

“They’re not concerned with the specific date as much as they’re concerned that the quality is there,” said the representative, who requested anonymity.

As part of stored procedures capabilities, Version 5.0 also adds server-side cursor support to boost scaling by moving more program execution to the server.

An analyst who recently published a report on open source databases described version 5.0 as critical for MySQL.

“I think it’s a very important release,” said Noel Yuhanna, senior industry analyst at Forrester Research. “This is going to have some enterprise features like triggers, stored procedures, and views, which are very important -- especially when you’re dealing with business applications, especially when you’re dealing with packaged applications. This will take MySQL to the next level [in terms of] adoption.”

Overall, open source databases such as MySQL, Ingres, and PostgreSQL are gaining momentum, with companies leveraging them to save money as the products themselves improve, Yuhanna said. “The outlook is very strong,” he said.

Open source databases soon will be broken up into two categories: easy-to-use offerings and more feature-rich, enterprise-level products, said Yuhanna.