MySQL Open source database in 2006

Open source software is a program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design, free of charge (webopedia.com). Open source code is typically created as a collaborative effort in which programmers improve upon the code and share the changes within a community (jahadesign.com).

Those who prefer open source software to that of closed source have outlined many reasons why.

One major advantage of open sourced software is that the core software is free of charge, which can greatly benefit internet-enabled start-up companies. In the case of MySQL, it was such companies which were the first users of their open sourced software, making use of software stacks such as LAMP. It is also possible that the introduction of open sourced software has driven the price of commercial software down (tamingthebeast.net). The case study also suggests this is true, with IBM and Microsoft each lowering their database prices and have both “created low-end bundles aimed at smaller organisations and partners.”

The ability and right to modify the source code is also a major advantage of open source software. Software can be improved upon, ported to a new hardware or adapted to meet individual needs (conecta.it). In a business context, software flexibility is about being able to choose solutions suitable for the needs of the users (open-source.gbdirect.co.uk). MySQL used this advantage as a way to differentiate their product from closed source software within an increasingly competitive market.

The case study highlights that MySQL, despite being small in size and having a small marketing budget, is extremely well known. This is the case because they offer open source software, and as a result the market they can reach is particularly large. It is likely that only rich companies could afford software developed by the likes of Microsoft, Oracle and IBM, whereas distributing open sourced software allows students, small businesses and developing nations to make use of the software and in turn, increasing awareness of the company.

In the case of MySQL, the number of functions and features offered were initially greater than those offered by the closed source software offered by IBM, Microsoft and Oracle. For this reason MySQL were able to grow significantly, as companies looked to “scale out” the superior MySQL product into other departments.

Varner (1999) also claims that the quality of open sourced software is higher than its closed source competitor, mainly due to peer review. Companies can hide security holes and fundamental flaws from the users by not releasing the source code, providing the software vendor with complete control of the product. Varner claims that “with open source, more people see the code and find and stop problems before they hurt anything.”

Depending on circumstances, personal preference and knowledge, support issues with open sourced software can be an advantage or a disadvantage to the user (tamingthebeast.com). As a result it is difficult to determine whether such an issue has helped or hindered MySQL. With closed software, the provider has an obligation to provide help in the event of faults, bugs etc (generally at an additional charge) whereas no particular organization is legally responsible for offering support to users of open sourced software. Instead, forums are often the port of call, which are generally free to use.

Also, the number of people able to offer help is likely to be much higher than if a bug in closed source software was reported to the provider. Linus's Law of Software Engineering states, "Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow," meaning that the more people you have looking at a piece of code, the more likely one of them is to find a bug before it gets to be a major problem (Raymond, 2000). It is then up to the user to weigh up whether the guarantee of professional support is worth paying extra for. It is also worth noting that closed source software generally will tie the user to a particular vendor for support.

However, there are also disadvantages of open sourced software which have faced MySQL. As mentioned above, initially the software offered by MySQL was of a superior standard even to that of the closed software which was available. However, Oracle reacted to this by releasing a new version of their software, highlighting the inferiority of MySQL. This rendered MySQL software insufficient to meeting the demands of SAP, their alliance partner.

MySQL also introduced an upgraded version of their software, at a charge. Along with this strategy, which offers increased functions and features, came unforeseen problems. Marten Mickos alluded to this when he conceded that MySQL saw an increase in complaints when customers were paying a subscription for the software because expectations rose. It appears from the study that MySQL did not have a great deal of experience of the customer service side of a business. As a result I do not feel they were sufficiently equipped to deal with such a change in their business. However, the fact that the financial performance is encouraging suggests these problems have been overcome.

Not only is open source software susceptible to imitation, but such companies are also now vulnerable to take over. IBM initially started this trend in 2005, and other large companies have since followed suit. However the take over which was of particular concern to MySQL was Oracle’s purchase of the Finnish company Innobase. Innobase supplied MySQL with a particular transactional engine which was crucial to many of MySQL’s customers. Fears arose that Oracle would discontinue the engine and as a result sabotage MySQL. However this did not materialise, as in April 2006 Oracle renewed the contract between Innobase and MySQL.



Sources used:
Raymond, E.S “The Cathedral and the Bazaar” (2000) accessed via http://www.catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/ on 05/12/2007

Varner, P.E “The Economics of Open Sourced Software” (1999) accessed via http://www.cs.virginia.edu/~pev5b/writing/econ_oss/advantages.html on 05/12/2007

www.jahadesign.com/glossary.htm
www.webopedia.comeu.conecta.it/paper/Advantages_open_source_soft.html
www.tamingthebeast.net/articles5/open-source-software.htm
open-source.gbdirect.co.uk/migration/benefit.html