Relational Database Management System to use for Enterprise Software Development

As an architect I have often been asked this question by my clients, friends and at work. I would like to answer it briefly once and for all.

For enterprise applications which deal with huge data volume (read terabyte range) like bioinformatics applications or with need for data complex analytics using MOLAP, ROLAP etc. should definitely go with Oracle.

Any application that needs complex queries, integration with financial accounting systems, project management systems should again opt for Oracle.

For simple online web applications requiring fast read access to data, without need for complex queries and on budget should opt for MySQL. MySQL is poor man’s Oracle.
Certain limitations of MySQL like lack of full support for inner queries are sometimes infuriating, but that’s life. In my experience its robustness is less than Oracle.

Note: In case you are wondering I am well aware of other databases in this space like Sybase, Ingres, PostgreSql, DB2, Microsoft SQL Server etc.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with either of these companies in any way, nor have I been paid to write this entry.

Note: For Java Heads, HyperSonic SQL is fine for development purposes but strongly not recommended for deployment. And yes it is based on extensive personal experience with Hypersonic SQL.