MySQL Database Takes Open Source To Next Level

The popularity of the product and the large developer community that has cropped up to work with it have made MySQL one of the most stable back-end databases on the market. On small projects with 50 or fewer user connections, MySQL's price/performance actually surpasses that of all of the top database vendors.

Most of the teaching material offered by MySQL's sponsor company, MySQL AB, is free. Background information on the product is now available from a number of dedicated Web sites, magazines and online tutorials, which offer more than enough material for most newcomers. All of the links can be accessed from the main site, located at www.mysql.com. All of the marketing material is free as well.

For marketing presentations, solution providers also have access to a number of articles on benchmark strategies for operating system and product deployment.

MySQL AB offers professional training and certification. The company also offers special courses dedicated to database security and for developers interested in creating PHP applications with MySQL. Beginner and advanced courses are lumped together, so there are only three available. Class prices range from $375 to $2,490.

Solution providers looking to become certified should first take a core competency test. A more advanced administration test covers database management. The exams cost $150 and $200, respectively. Unfortunately, the company does not offer a database development certification.

MySQL AB offers a number of partnership programs to solution providers and training schools. Solution providers can also get a 5 percent commission through an affiliate program by selling licenses and technical support. The product can be sold under a commercial license to customers that don't want to abide by the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). License prices are volume-based and can run anywhere from $155 to $395.

The company's technical support is comparable to that of the top database vendors in the market. Its top support offering costs a pricey $48,000 but includes a dedicated developer to the account, 24x7 telephone access to developers and prompt e-mail response.