MySQL + Transactions = MaxSQL
By Brian Wilson
At the O'Reilly-sponsored open source
conference last August, MySQL developer Monty Widenius announced a new project called MaxSQL—an enhanced version of the popular MySQL database server. Most significantly, MaxSQL incorporates the latest Berkeley DB library from Sleepycat Software (www.sleepycat.com), so the program supports transactions with an additional table type.
Currently, you can't just install a binary of MaxSQL—you have to build it yourself from the MySQL 3.23 beta sources. By the time this article is published, you should be able to download a binary package of MaxSQL from MySQL.com. To build the latest version yourself, see the online story "Building Your Own MaxSQL," which outlines the steps I used.
What Are "Transactions"?
Why is the addition of transaction-safe tables such a big feature change that it calls for a whole new project name? Perhaps I should mention that MySQL's key developer, Monty Widenius, has two children named My and Max. Sibling rivalry aside, another open-source rival to MySQL is PostgreSQL (www.postgresql.org). For an overview, see "PostgreSQL: Taking E-Business up a Notch" by Ned Lilly, also in this issue. This is a healthy rivalry that benefits all of us, as each project team is working to improve their program's weaknesses. MaxSQL is an attempt to close one of the gaps between the two rivals.<>
