IBM Systems Magazine, Power Systems - May 2017 - 16
OPEN SOURCE The Buzz About OPEN-SOURCE DATABASES What are they and what options exist for Linux on POWER? Y ou've likely heard the buzz around NoSQL databases and open-source databases, but aren't these the same thing? This article explains these terms, and provides an overview of what's happening in the database marketplace and why open-source databases are causing such a buzz. Finally, the article examines which open-source databases are available for Linux* on POWER*. Rick Murphy is a migration consultant in the IBM Systems Lab Services Migration Factory, helping clients migrate to IBM Systems. What Are NoSQL and Open-Source? NoSQL generally refers to databases that don't have an SQL interface, but more recently some so-called NoSQL databases have come to support some SQL or another query language. As a result, NoSQL has evolved to mean "Not only SQL." 16 // MAY 2017 ibmsystemsmag.com Although the term "NoSQL" was coined as long ago as 1998, it came to prominence in 2009 when it was used to describe the emergence of new, nonrelational databases, which don't view data in strictly defined tables of rows and columns. NoSQL refers to a database that is not relational. Closed source refers to software whose source code is kept secret to prevent copying. Open source software's source code is open and available for study, modification and even redistribution. Opensource software is often free to download and use. An open-source database system's source code is open