MYSQL - Open Source Database

“Open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process.” (http://www.opensource.org/) Open source software is the most common example of open source development, and has grown in the past ten years to become a rival to many large closed source software companies such as IBM and Microsoft. This is highlighted in the case study of MySQL, where it is stated that they experienced “a compound annual growth rate of over 100 percent over the last five years”. This illustrates perfectly how much growth this sector of the software market has experienced in recent years. Numerous businesses now use open source software to run their operations and it has many advantages for this function, however as with most products, there are also disadvantages which may deter businesses from using it.

The main advantage of using open source software is the fact that the source code is available. Without being excessively technical, the availability of the source code essentially means that everyone using the software has access to the source code to make any changes. For many companies this is a huge advantage, as it means “the code can be implemented in other pieces of software and adapted to changing environments.” (http://timjimnetworktech.wikidot.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-open-source) For many businesses, this means that the software can be adapted to suit their operations which has huge advantages over closed source packages where businesses have to adapt their operations to suit the software provided. This is highlighted in the MySQL case study where it states that “companies valued the ability to modify parts of the underlying software to differentiate themselves in their own markets.” It meant that they had the freedom to run the business the way they saw fit, rather than being restricted by their choice of software.

Leading on from this point, the fact that the source code is accessible means that anyone can modify or change the software to improve it or make it more secure, “Open Source software has huge communities of programmers involved, allowing for the rapid implementation of new features and security fixes”. (http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles5/open-source-software.htm) This means that the software is constantly being changed and updated which is a huge advantage to business users as it means they have access to the most up to date version of the software at all times. In addition to this, companies will have peace of mind that the software is secure due to the constant updating, and bugs are far more easily fixed in open source software rather than closed source. The source code availability also means that there are various support facilities to which users can relay any questions they might have. This would be a huge advantage to a business which is looking for well informed, quick answers to any technical problems they may be experiencing which is why MySQL introduced this in early 2005, “MySQL introduced the ‘MySQL Network’, a support offer for end users”.

The most obvious advantage to using open source software in business is the fact that it is free. This point is clearly highlighted in the MySQL case study as companies stated that they were attracted to “the lower cost advantages of open source”. The popularity of the free software was further emphasised later in the study, “as the company began charging for services, there was a change in expectations from their customers”. In fact, many MySQL customers began complaining that they had to pay for services. Although this may not be the driving force behind the choice of software for every company, it certainly an important factor to take into consideration, particularly for smaller, newer businesses which are looking for ways to reduce costs. However, the decision to use open source software should only be taken after examining the disadvantages it brings to businesses.

One serious disadvantage of using open source software in business is the fact that there is no guarantee of development meaning some projects can die. This can occur “if programmers just lose interest with being involved or they become fraught with infighting; arresting further development.” (http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles5/open-source-software.htm) This is very risky for businesses as they have the threat of losing the support service and continual improvement of the software if they decide to implement unusual software which is unpopular and others have no interest in. In order to combat this danger, MySQL created “version 5.0” which included various improvements requested by users, in the hope that most customers would implement this and gain the various support services that accompanied it.

Another downside of using open source software in business is the danger of violating any previous intellectual property rights. This can occur due to the fact that many people can contribute to an open source project, and “it is almost impossible to audit the entire code base for violations of previous licence conditions.” (http://www.cippic.ca/open-source/) This could essentially mean that a business could be using a software programme which is illegal in terms of intellectual property infringements, which could have serious consequences for the company as a whole. However, it is well known that “contributors do not vouch for the integrity of the code they contribute to the project”, (http://www.cippic.ca/open-source/) which also poses a problem for businesses as it effectively means there is no guarantee of the quality of certain open source software, and so companies may be taking further risks by choosing open source in the first place.

Finally, the advantage of the support services, like most things, has its disadvantages. Many questions can go unanswered if no-one has any interest in the topic or quite simply, doesn’t know the answer. This can frustrating for businesses as there is no legal obligation for companies such as MySQL to answer any questions set to them. This is yet another risk that companies will take if they opt to use open source software instead of the traditional close source format.

For millions of companies, open source software has been hugely beneficial in terms of flexibility, cost effectiveness, quality and support services available. Despite the obvious advantages, there are still underlying disadvantages which may deter business from fully adopting open source software in all its operations. Overall, it seems the advantages by far outweigh the disadvantages; however companies which have used closed source software for years may see it as a risky move and be unwilling to change.


References

Cippic, ‘Open Source’, 2007, http://www.cippic.ca/open-source/, [accessed 28/11/07]


Open/Closed Source Networking, ‘Advantages and Disadvantages of Open Source’, 2007, http://timjimnetworktech.wikidot.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-open-source, [accessed 30/11/07]


Open Source Initiative, 2007, http://www.opensource.org/, [accessed 30/11/07]


Taming the Beast, ‘Open Source Software in your Online Business’, 2007, http://www.tamingthebeast.net/articles5/open-source-software.htm,
[accessed 28/11/07]


Witting, C and Burgelman, R. (2006) MySQL Open Source Database in 2006 (B), Stanford Graduate School of Business, Case: SM-124(B)