Re: PostgreSQL vs. Oracle vs. Microsoft

On Thu, 6 Jan 2005 19:01:38 +0000 (UTC)
Randolf Richardson <rr(at)8x(dot)ca> wrote:

> I'm looking for recent performance statistics on PostgreSQL vs.
> Oracle
> vs. Microsoft SQL Server. Recently someone has been trying to
> convince my client to switch from SyBASE to Microsoft SQL Server (they
> originally wanted to go with Oracle but have since fallen in love with
> Microsoft). All this time I've been recommending PostgreSQL for cost
> and stability (my own testing has shown it to be better at handling
> abnormal shutdowns and using fewer system resources) in addition to
> true cross-platform compatibility.
>
> If I can show my client some statistics that PostgreSQL
> outperforms
> these (I'm more concerned about it beating Oracle because I know that
> Microsoft's stuff is always slower, but I need the information anyway
> to protect my client from falling victim to a 'sales job'), then
> PostgreSQL will be the solution of choice as the client has always
> believed that they need a high-performance solution.
>
> I've already convinced them on the usual price, cross-platform
> compatibility, open source, long history, etc. points, and I've been
> assured that if the performance is the same or better than Oracle's
> and Microsoft's solutions that PostgreSQL is what they'll choose.

While this doesn't exactly answer your question, I use this little
tidbit of information when "selling" people on PostgreSQL. PostgreSQL
was chosen over Oracle as the database to handle all of the .org TLDs
information. While I don't believe the company that won was chosen
solely because they used PostgreSQL vs Oracle ( vs anything else ),
it does go to show that PostgreSQL can be used in a large scale
environment.

Another tidbit you can use in this particular case: I was involved
in moving www.ljworld.com, www.lawrence.com, and www.kusports.com from
a Sybase backend to a PostgreSQL backend back in 2000-2001. We got
roughly a 200% speed improvement at that time and PostgreSQL has only
improved since then. I would be more than happy to elaborate on this
migration off list if you would like. kusports.com gets a TON of
hits especially during "March Madness" and PostgreSQL has never been
an issue in the performance of the site.

---------------------------------
Frank Wiles <frank(at)wiles(dot)org>
http://www.wiles.org
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