28. Conclusion

After researching all the available databases which are free and source code is available, it was found that ONLY PostgreSQL is the MOST mature, most widely used and robust RDBMS SQL free database (object relational) in the world.

PostgreSQL is very appealing as lot of work had already been done and it has ODBC, JDBC drivers using these it is possible to write applications independent of the databases. The applications written in PostgreSQL using ODBC, JDBC drivers are easily portable to other databases like Oracle, Sybase and Informix. And applications written for Oracle, Sybase and Informix using ODBC, JDBC drivers are easily portable to PostgreSQL database.

You may ask "But why PostgreSQL ?" The answer is, since it takes lot more time to develop a database system from scratch, it makes sense to pick up a database system which satisfies the following conditions -

A database system

• Whose source code is available - Must be a 'Open Source Code' system
• Has no license strings, no ownership strings attached to it
• Which can be distributed on internet
• Which had been on development for several years.
• Which satisfies standards like ISO/ANSI SQL 92 (and SQL 89)
• Which can satisfy future needs like SQL 3 (SQL 98)
• Which has advanced capabilities