The popular MySQL database is slated for a future split between what MySQL AB calls the Community and the Enterprise versions. Read the official announcement and further opinions and explanations from Kaj Arno (MySQL VP of Community Relations) and Stephen O'Grady (software industry analist). In Arno's own words: "We recognise that the needs of the MySQL Community are different from the needs of commercial enterprise customers. After 11 years of producing our software, we can no longer hope that a single offering is the best solution for both Community and Enterprise users. Consequently, we are introducing two different offerings for each distinct target group."
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Member since:2006-10-11
Member since:2006-06-29
Read the announcement.
"ALL OF OUR DATABASE SOFTWARE IS OPEN SOURCE, so we will continue to make all releases available over our BitKeeper tree and as source code tarballs"
They aren't taking away our access to the source. They're simply putting out binaries for customers that want them.
I use PostgreSQL right now, but I've been wanting to switch to MySQL ever since their 5.0 release. The announcement of a more targeted business support structure makes me all the more eager to use MySQL.
Member since:2005-10-09
You're the ONLY person I've EVER met who is using pgsql and wants to switch to a less functional database server. That's like getting rid of your "free" BMW and getting a "free" Yugo. Buying into hype/popularity/branding, per-chance? I hope you don't go that route, because it's going to make life hell for your SQL devs and worse yet for your system admins. I sure hope your database isn't used for mission critical transactional processing where data integrity AND validity is key.
I did read the announcement. However, history dictates what will likely occur. I simply postulated as to what will happen, and my opinion is as valid as anybody else's.
Regardless, good luck with your migration, I wish you all the best - but I do hope you listen to reason instead of "buzz". 
Member since:2005-11-11
Seems to be the way open source software companies work. Put out a free version, get people hooked, wait();, create two version
...
Oh well, more power to them, I'm sticking with pgsql.
WOW. good job not reading the linked articles at all mr. pgsql fanboy, nice way to harvest mod ups.
We believe the users of MySQL Community Server expect
* early access to MySQL features under development
* that MySQL AB will listen to their input
* timely corrections to bug fixes they report
* help with enhancing MySQL for their particular needs
* channels to communicate with the rest of community for getting assistance
* an easier process for having contributions accepted in MySQL
* commitment to Open Source — including free, unrestricted availability of source code
and this is what we will continue to deliver.
We’re happy to note the growth in contributions flowing into MySQL and its ecosystem. To facilitate these, we have
* launched MySQL Forge (see forge.mysql.com)
* established a Contribution License Agreement (see MySQL_Contributor_License_Agreement on Forge Wiki)
* supported a MySQL Community Camp (see mysqlcamp.org)
* started to Doxygen comment our code for easier understandability (see CommunityDoxygenProject on Forge Wiki)
mysql ab has been very good to the open source community and has no interest in changing that. they need a separate product for enterprise customers who don't want bleeding edge features, they want stability and consistent release cycles. this is nothing new: redhat/fedora, sun/opensolaris.
As part of our differentiation, we will do more frequent binary releases of the MySQL Enterprise Server software than of the MySQL Community Server. However, all of our database software is open source, so we will continue to make all releases available over our BitKeeper tree and as source code tarballs — even if the MySQL Enterprise Server binaries will not be available for public download but limited to our commercial customers and our core QA contributors.
Finally, we will continue to be active good citizens in the greater Free and Open Source Software world. We’re participating in the GPLv3 drafting process, we’re supporting the Free Software Foundation as FSF corporate patrons, and we’re supporting campaigns against the spread of software patents around the globe.
Edited 2006-10-19 05:12
Member since:
2005-10-09
Seems to be the way open source software companies work. Put out a free version, get people hooked, wait();, create two version:
(1) Weak, limited, crippled, lame-ware version for people who don't want to spend money.
(2) Fully functioning version (generally no different than the previous free-version before the split).
Oh well, more power to them, I'm sticking with pgsql.