SCOPA Grant Proposal: 2001
An Exploration of Interbase, an Open Source Database
Background:
In July, 2000, Borland/Inprise made available an Open Source version of its relational database product, Interbase. Interbase immediately became the most powerful relational database product available via Open Source.
From the Interbase Web Site:
"InterBase 6.0 is the most recent version of the powerful, high-performance cross-platform database known for its low-maintenance requirements and enterprise-class features and performance. In addition to being the first open source release of InterBase, Version 6.0 introduces a number oof new features including new data types (long integer, date, time, datetime), extended SQL92 compliance, an open interface for defining new national character sets, plus performance and security enhancements." (For more information see http://www.interbase.com).
We wish to perform an evaluation of Interbase for its applicability for use for production-level database applications in the Library. We will evaluate its use under both Windows NT and Linux. Testing will be done to evaluate its usefulness for delivery of databases via the web, the storage of digital images, and its appropriateness for use as a database by individual library staff.
Methodology:
Interbase will be installed under both Linux and NT workstations. We will attempt to replicate existing applications (Ejournals SQL Database, the Beinecke Digital Library SQL Database, various on-line survey forms currently in Access and SQL) and prototype new databases using this technology. We will evaluate ease-of-use (for Systems staff and the rest of the Library community), conformity to industry standards, overall development time and cost.
Timeline:
We will begin this project in January, 2001. The software will be installed in January 2001, applications prototyped and tested during the February - July time period. We will be prepared to give a report and make a recommendation for its use by Library Staff in August, 2001.
Costs:
| RedHat Linux: |
$30.00 |
| 2 Workstations (WSG cast-offs will be fine and have been OK'd.) |
|
| Student Time (database entry, research, scanning): 50 hrs. / $10 / hr: |
$500 |
| Total |
$530 |
Benefits to the Library:
The benefits of Open Source software are that it is free and collaboratively developed. Open Source database solutions are currently in use in some areas of the YUL but have limitations (they are not production-level relational databases). Interbase is the first truly production-level relational database product to Open Source tool at the YUL. It would give the YUL greater involvement in the Open Source community while saving the Library money (as commercial database solutions can be very costly).
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