Open Source Database

According to the opensource.org, this is what makes an application an open source.
One, there must be free redistribution of the code. Two, the program must include source code and allow distribution. Three, the license of the software must allow modifications and derived works. Fourth to preserve the integrity of the author’s code, the software license restricts how original codes can be modified and redistributed. If a modification occurs, there must be a change in name or version from the original software. Fifth, license of the software cannot discriminate any person or group of persons. Sixth, there cannot be discrimination against what company the software is being used for. Seventh, no additional license may be attached to the original license. Eighth, the rights attached to the program must not depend on the program's being part of a particular software distribution. Ninth, license cannot restrict other software. Tenth, license cannot prevent people from putting the software on different platforms (Open Source Initiative, 2005).
Open source is important because it “promotes software reliability and quality by supporting independent peer review and rapid evolution of source code”(Open Source Initiative, 2005). With closed source software, many “vendors fill their licenses with clauses that both deny anyone else the right to deal with their software bugs, and deny the right of the purchaser to expect problems to be fixed”(Cox).
There are five compared open-source database software at this Web Site: http://www.geocities.com/mailsoftware42/db/. They are MySQL, PostgreSQL, MaxDB, Firebird, and Ingres. After choosing the appropriate database a person would like to install, go to the database Web Site and download the software.
For example, if a person chose MySQL, go to mysql.com, click on downloads, then click on preferred software, then click on the version that will run on the person’s computer. For example, a Mac OS X. After the file is downloaded, the image will auto-mount onto the desktop. Double-click on the image and install both package files. Then open the Terminal and type in: start mysql. The database is now running. A person can start creating tables and input information.

Works Cited

Cox, Alan. “The Risks of Closed Source Computing.” 1999. 04 Feb. 2005
.

MySQL AB. 2005. 04 Feb. 2005
.

Open Source Database Software Comparison. Jan. 2005. 04 Feb. 2005
.

Open Source Initiative. 2005. 04 Feb.2005
.