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<p>
Berkeley DB is an ideal database system for applications
that need fast, scalable, and reliable embedded database
management. For applications that need different services,
however, it can be a poor choice.
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First, do you need the ability to access your data in ways
you cannot predict in advance? If your users want to be able
to enter SQL queries to perform complicated searches that you
cannot program into your application to begin with, then you
should consider a relational engine instead. Berkeley DB
requires a programmer to write code in order to run a new kind
of query.
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On the other hand, if you can predict your data access
patterns up front — and in particular if you need fairly
simple key/value lookups — then Berkeley DB is a good
choice. The queries can be coded up once, and will then run
very quickly because there is no SQL to parse and
execute.
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Second, are there political arguments for or against a
standalone relational server? If you're building an
application for your own use and have a relational system
installed with administrative support already, it may be
simpler to use that than to build and learn Berkeley DB. On
the other hand, if you'll be shipping many copies of your
application to customers, and don't want your customers to
have to buy, install, and manage a separate database system,
then Berkeley DB may be a better choice.
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Third, are there any technical advantages to an embedded
database? If you're building an application that will run
unattended for long periods of time, or for end users who are
not sophisticated administrators, then a separate server
process may be too big a burden. It will require separate
installation and management, and if it creates new ways for
the application to fail, or new complexities to master in the
field, then Berkeley DB may be a better choice.
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<p>
The fundamental question is, how closely do your
requirements match the Berkeley DB design? Berkeley DB was
conceived and built to provide fast, reliable,
transaction-protected record storage. The library itself was
never intended to provide interactive query support, graphical
reporting tools, or similar services that some other database
systems provide. We have tried always to err on the side of
minimalism and simplicity. By keeping the library small and
simple, we create fewer opportunities for bugs to creep in,
and we guarantee that the database system stays fast, because
there is very little code to execute. If your application
needs that set of features, then Berkeley DB is almost
certainly the best choice for you.
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